FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Saturday evening the No. 16 University of Saint Francis Cougars (2-1) took on the (RV) Saint Xavier University Cougars (2-2) at Bishop D'Arcy Stadium for their homecoming game, and despite a hard-fought nail-biting game suffered their first loss of the season 25-20.

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After totaling 52 and 51 points respectively on offense, the Cougars came into the game looking to carry their momentum over on offense, but the first half saw something different.

The Cougars were being contained in the early going, but after they were forced their first punt of the game, the receiver downfield muffed the ball, and sophomore cornerback Brayden Payne recovered it at the one-yard line and found himself in the endzone for a special team's touchdown giving Saint Francis a 7-0 lead.

On defense, the Cougars stepped up big and made some key plays to keep Saint Xavier out of the endzone, giving their offense a chance to answer. But despite the Cougars marching down the field, they had to settle for a field goal, and senior kicker Jack James nailed the 45-yarder to extend the Cougars' lead to 10-0.

Towards the end of the second quarter, Saint Xavier began to march the ball down the field and apply the pressure on the Cougars defense, scoring their first touchdown of the game with three minutes remaining in the first half.

But a 23-yard field goal by Jack James put Saint Francis back ahead by six as the game went to halftime with the Cougars still leading 13-7.

A couple stellar sacks by junior defensive end AJ Moore for a combined loss of 19 yards prevented anymore momentum from Saint Xavier.

Heading into the second half, offense was scarce between both teams. Neither was able to find the endzone until halfway through the frame. To extend the Cougars' lead to nine points, a 46-yard field goal attempt by Jack James was blocked and returned by Saint Xavier as they ran it back and suddenly, the game was tied at 13.

Matters only worsened for the Cougars, for when they got the ball back now in a tie game, an interception by senior quarterback Heath Simmons led to a 23-yard return by Saint Xavier as they took their first lead of the day.

Within a matter of two minutes, the Cougars found themselves behind by six after being ahead by six as the game entered the fourth quarter with the Cougars trailing 19-13.

At the start of the fourth quarter though, the drama continued to build. An interception by junior defensive back Isaiah Higgins put the Cougars in business on the Saint Xavier 17-yard line. On the very next play, Heath Simmons connected with senior running back Cameron Peterson for a 17-yard touchdown pass as the Cougars regained the lead 20-19.

However, Saint Xavier got some momentum in the late minutes of the game. They were able to convert on two straight third-down conversions to get into Cougars territory, and what followed was a 24-yard touchdown pass as Saint Xavier regained the lead 25-20.

One last drive was all the Cougars needed, and it looked like they might get it with senior wide receiver Jay Segal making several clutch receptions to get Saint Francis in the red zone. But unfortunately, Saint Xavier contained the Cougars offense from there and knocked away USF's last shot at the end zone as the Cougars suffered their first loss of the season.

The Cougars resume play next Saturday when they travel to Adrian, Michigan to take on the Siena Heights University Saints (1-1) with kickoff set for 12:00 pm.

Cougar fans, stay updated with all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting Saintfranciscougars.com or by downloading the Saint Francis Cougars app.