Defense & Freshman QB Yoon Shine as USF Celebrates Senior Day with 44-6 Win Over Taylor
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Taylor (5-5) | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
|
Saint Francis (Ind.) (5-4) | 10 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 44 |
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Saturday afternoon the University of Saint Francis Cougars (4-4; 2-3 MSFA MEL) played host to the Taylor University Trojans (5-4; 3-2 MSFA MEL) at Bishop D'Arcy Stadium for their final home game of the 2022 season and rebounded from a couple of tough losses with a 44-6 victory.
In addition to Saturday's game, the Cougars celebrated their 2022 Senior Day by honoring all those who's efforts and contributions have been a positive asset for the USF athletic department during their collegiate tenures.
After a couple of tough losses to No. 8 Marian and No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan, the Cougars were anxious to get back in the win column against the Trojans.
As the game got underway the Cougars stepped it up on defense and stopped the Trojans during their first drive. After getting the ball back, the Cougars looked to freshman quarterback Garrett Yoon to propel the offense and did get his offense into field goal range, and then senior kicker Jack James nailed a 29-yarder to give Saint Francis a 3-0 lead.
As the first quarter progressed, the Cougars were firing on all cylinders on defense. On the next drive for the Trojans, sophomore cornerback Brayden Payne got a key interception at the 50-yard line and ran it back for a pick-six touchdown to extend the lead for St. Francis to 10-0.
Heading into the second quarter the Cougars had all the momentum.
But the Cougars defense didn't top there. On the next possession, senior defensive end Spencer Pattee forced a fumble and recovered it for a nice return to put the Cougars right back on offense in Trojans territory.
The drive then resulted in a 33-yard touchdown pass from Yoon to sophomore wide receiver Adjaye Dandridge to make the score 17-0. Taylor got the ball back and managed to answer the Cougars with a touchdown of their own, but the extra point attempt was muffed, keeping the Cougars ahead by 11.
A third touchdown in the final minute of the first half from Yoon to Marquis Johnson put the Cougars back ahead by 18 as the game went to halftime with Saint Francis leading 24-6. Throughout the first half the Cougars had three interceptions (one for a return touchdown), two sacks, and a forced fumble recovered.
Heading into the third quarter it was the Cougars who started out with the ball. Like they did in the first half, Yoon and senior running back Cam Peterson ignited the Cougars offense down the field and resulted in a 38-yard touchdown pass to Crosley MacEachen for the fourth Saint Francis touchdown of the game.
With Saint Francis now leading 30-6, another forced fumble recovered by the Cougars defense gave Yoon the ball right back, and Cam Peterson managed several rushing attempts and finally knocked the ball past the goal line with six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The game entered the fourth quarter with the Cougars leading 37-6, and while the defense continued it's reign over the Trojans, Saint Francis found the endzone one last time at the start of the final frame as sophomore running back Derrius Williams ran the ball in for a two-yard touchdown run, giving the Cougars a knockout blow as they claimed victory.
Throughout the game the Cougars managed 292 passing yards, 206 rushing yards, while forcing two fumbles and recovering them with three interceptions by the defense. Yoon went 24-for-38 in his first collegiate start with two passing touchdowns while Cam Peterson led the way on the ground with 132 rushing yards.
The Cougars resume play next Saturday afternoon when they travel up to Southfield, Michigan to take on the Lawrence Tech University Blue Devils (2-5; 1-3 MSFA MEL) 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.
