Cougars Outlast Yellow Jackets for Homecoming Win
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Defiance (2-2) | 7 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 34 |
|
(RV) Saint Francis (3-1) | 3 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 37 |
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) football team pulled off a thrilling 37-34 victory over Defiance College during Homecoming Weekend at Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium on Saturday, September 27. Saturday afternoon's win marks the Cougars' third straight victory, improving their record to 3-1 on the season.
Defiance struck first midway through the opening quarter on a five-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Thanthanavong to Deveon Williams. SF answered with a 41-yard field goal from Austin Deleon late in the first to make it 7-3.
The Yellow Jackets extended their lead with a field goal early in the second quarter, but quarterback Joshua Kulka and the Cougar offense found their rhythm. Kulka connected with Chris Mullen on a four-yard score to tie the game at 10-10, then hit Aden Dennis on a five-yard touchdown pass just before halftime to give Saint Francis a 17-10 lead.
Defiance quickly swung momentum in the third quarter, capitalizing on a defensive play when Damon McCracken returned an interception 19 yards for a touchdown. After a series of exchanges, the Cougars regained control behind running back Azariah Wallace, who scored on a four-yard run and later broke free for a 57-yard touchdown. Wallace finished the game with 138 rushing yards and two scores.
Defiance continued to fight back in the fourth quarter. Thanthanavong scored on a four-yard run and later delivered a deep 64-yard strike to Tristan Thomas, putting the Yellow Jackets ahead 34-30 with under eight minutes to play.
But Saint Francis had the final answer. A poised 72-yard drive led by Kulka and the ground game set up Mullen's three-yard rushing touchdown with 3:19 remaining, sealing the Cougars' hard-fought 37-34 win.
Saint Francis outgained Defiance 440-345 in total offense, fueled by a dominant rushing attack that piled up 255 yards.Kulka managed the passing game, going 21-of-30 for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Mullen proved to be a difference-maker on both ends, contributing a receiving score and the game-winning rushing touchdown.
Defensively, Tamarris Springfield grabbed an interception for the Cougars, while Dylan Krehl anchored the defense with seven total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for a loss of yards.
For Defiance, Thanthanavong finished 12-of-24 for 257 yards, three total touchdowns, and an interception, with Thomas leading all receivers with 85 yards and a touchdown.
With the victory, Saint Francis moves to 3-1 on the season, while Defiance drops to 2-2. The Cougars will look to carry their momentum into next week's road matchup at (RV) Taylor University.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 21 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.
