Shelbred totaled seven points, delivering a pair of field goals to keep the Skyhawks alive (PHOTO BY JD Cavrich/Saint Francis Athletics)

Skyhawks force three turnovers, allow just three points after first quarter in defensive battle

LORETTO, Pa. (October 22, 2022) – Saint Francis (Pa.) University held off Stonehill College in the second half in notching a 17-13 triumph in Northeast Conference (NEC) football action at DeGol Field this afternoon.

Saint Francis held a 14-3 lead after the opening quarter and made it stand the rest of the way to secure its fifth-straight win and remain atop the NEC standings at 4-0. Stonehill's defense, a week removed from a matchup at Sacred Heart University in which the teams combined for nearly 1,000 yards of total offense, forced three turnovers and held the Red Flash to just three points over the final three quarters. The Skyhawks saw a promising fourth quarter drive to take their first lead since a 3-0 edge after the first possession of the game, halted with a fumbled exchange in the backfield that was recovered by Saint Francis sophomore Colt Jennings on the Red Flash 25 with 11:33 to play.

Stonehill would have two more possessions in Saint Francis territory down the stretch, but was unable to get much going on offense as the Red Flash defense sealed the win. 

Cmielewski totaled a career-high 13 tackles to lead the Skyhawks defense (PHOTO BY Bob Blanchard)

Leaders

Stonehill

Senior linebacker Steve Cmielewski: Career-high 13 tackles (three solo). 

Fifth-year cornerback Kevin Porch: Five tackles (three solo), forced fumble, fumble recovery, interception and two pass breakups. 

Junior kicker Perry Shelbred: Two field goals (39 & 40 yards), seven points scored. 

Junior running back Jermaine Corbett: 17 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. 

Junior wide receiver Cameron Alves: Six receptions for 50 yards. 

Saint Francis

Sophomore defensive back Gregory Reddick: 12 tackles (nine solo), including 1.0 for a loss of a yard, interception. 

Freshman linebacker Joe Toepfer: Six tackles (four solo), including 3.0 for a loss of 10 yards, 1.0 sacks for a loss of seven and a pass breakup. 

Freshman wide receiver Elijah Sarratt: Five receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown. 

Sophomore running back Damon Horton: 14 carries for 69 yards and a touchdown. 

Corbett rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown for the Skyhawks (PHOTO BY JD Cavrich/Saint Francis Athletics)

How it Happened

• Stonehill opened the scoring with a 39-yard Shelbred field goal to cap the opening possession of the game, but will rue a missed chance for six after freshman Ashur Carraha's  pass to senior tight end Cam Boes was broken up by junior Travell Cook in the end zone three plays earlier.
• Saint Francis grabbed the lead with a pair of touchdowns over the final four minutes of the opening quarter. Horton scored with a one-yard run up the middle six plays after Stonehill was unable to get a first down pinned inside its own ten.
• The Red Flash used a quick strike to extend their lead heading to the second quarter as sophomore quarterback Cole Doyle connected with Sarratt down the middle of the field for a 65-yard touchdown pass with 1:28 remaining.
• Saint Francis wouldn't find the end zone again all afternoon and Stonehill got a 40-yard field goal from Shelbred with 18-seconds left before halftime to pull back within a score (14-6) at the intermission.
• Stonehill's defense forced a three and out on the opening possession of the second half, and then the Skyhawks took advantage of a 17-yard punt with excellent field position for their first possession of the second half.
• Corbett capped the ten-play, 50-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown rush 5:17 into the third.
• Saint Francis did have an immediate response, albeit a 37-yard field goal from sophomore Alex Schmoke with 5:46 left in the third after a 37-yard return by junior Lovell Armstead (Fredericksburg, Virginia/The Avalon School) on the ensuing kick off after the Corbett touchdown, was enhanced by a 15-yard penalty at the end that set the hosts up with first down at the Stonehill 43.
• Stonehill reached Saint Francis territory on each of its last four possessions, but was unable to capitalize, the key miscue the fumbled exchange with 11:33 to play after the Skyhawks reached the Red Flash 17.

Noteworthy

• This afternoon marked the first ever meeting between these two programs.
• The loss snapped a streak of four-straight Stonehill wins in the State of Pennsylvania – all four of those wins coming at Bloomsburg University, including its 33-30 double-overtime win to open the season.
• Cmielewski recorded double-digit tackles for the second time this season.
• Corbett has scored a touchdown in all four of his games played this fall.

Up Next:

Stonehill (3-2, 1-2 NEC) returns to action next Saturday, when it opens a two-game homestand against former Northeast-10 Conference rival Merrimack College for an NEC matchup as part of Homecoming Weekend at the College at W.B. Mason Stadium at 1 p.m. Saint Francis (5-2, 4-0 NEC) visits Sacred Heart University on Saturday at noon.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.