FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The No. 19 University of Saint Francis football team hosted No. 21 Evangel University in the NAIA Football Championship First Round on Saturday, November 22. In a hard-fought battle on both sides, the Cougars secured a 13-12 victory at Bishop John M. D’Arcy Stadium to advance in the postseason.
The Valor were the first to get on the scoreboard, thanks to a two-yard passing touchdown with just under four minutes left in the first quarter. Evangel extended their lead with a 26-yard field goal at the 9:47 mark of the second quarter, putting them ahead 10-0. As the second quarter came to a close, Saint Francis quarterback Joshua Kulka connected with Brennan Stow for a one-yard touchdown pass, cutting Evangel’s lead to 10-7 at halftime.
The Cougars tied the score at 10-10 with 10:28 remaining in the third quarter when sophomore kicker Austin Deleon made a 37-yard field goal. The Valor regained the lead at 12-10 after capitalizing on a safety with less than three minutes left in the third quarter. After the Cougars’ defense successfully halted the Valor’s offensive drive, Saint Francis put together a 14-play, 67-yard drive to get into field goal position. Deleon then kicked a 20-yard field goal, giving the Cougars a 13-12 lead. As time expired in Saturday’s game, the Valor missed a field goal attempt, solidifying the Cougars’ 13-12 victory.
Saint Francis finished with 226 total yards of offense. Kulka completed 12-30 passing attempts with 118 passing yards and a touchdown. Offensive Player of the Game Adjaye Dandridge led the Cougars with five catches for 57 yards, while Drew Wheat led SF on the ground with 12 carries for 55 yards and Azariah Wallace added 42 yards on 15 carries. Deleon finished 2-2 on field goal attempts, including one for 37 yards, and a successful point after attempt.
Defensively, the Cougars finished with 81 tackles, including 10 tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery. Jaydin Evans finished with 10 total tackles, while Samuel Ampeliotis and Dylan Krehl recorded eight tackles apiece. Nate Johnson was named the Defensive Player of the Game after sacking the Valor quarterback late in the fourth quarter and adding seven tackles, including 2.5 tackles for a loss of 11 yards, and a pass breakup.
Up next, Saint Francis will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, to face No. 1 Grand View University in the NAIA FCS Second Round on Saturday, November 29.
