Recap: Saint Francis Falls to ULM 29-0

Last season, the Red Flash had a punishing defense and an offense that took some time to get rolling- up until the last 3 games of the season. They won just one game (the penultimate one, when things were finally starting to click on that side of the ball) when the opponent scored more than 20. In one three game stretch, the Red Flash scored 7 points prior to being shut out two games in a row.

You can’t take too much from games against FCS, but it felt a lot like a game the fans in Loretto had seen before.

The final score appears lopsided, but the Red Flash hung with the Sun Belt’s Warhawks until the fourth quarter, entering the third down just 10-0. The FCS vs. FBS games are often characterized by the sheer depth the scholarship advantage gives the teams in the Bowl Subdivision, though, and late in the game in seemed to finally catch up with the Saint Francis, who surrendered three touchdowns in the fourth.

There were definite positive signs for the Red Flash, though, and there’s no doubt the defense came ready to play in the “House of Pain” following a lengthy weather delay. We were high on Geno Calgaro entering the season, and he more than lived up to the billing with 12 tackles. Jahmil Perryman was a player we tabbed as a playmaker, and he recorded the longest Red Flash play of the day. Unfortunately, that was just for 14 yards on a rushing attempt.

Andrew Vines, who had actually been listed at running back previously after years in the secondary, returned to the defensive side of the ball and had his best game of his career with eight tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a blocked extra point- one of an incredible two on the day for the Red Flash.

We also know who’ll be toting the rock for the Flash now. Raphael Ekechi had 10 carries and garnered 37 yards. There was little surprise at Nick Whitfield Jr. getting the start at QB.

Defensively, the Red Flash look ready to go, but there’s still some work on the offensive side of the ball to be done. They’ll have to work fast as they face what will probably be a stiffer challenge when they play MAC stalwarts Buffalo next week. Of course, Saint Francis is familiar with downing MAC opponents- they took down Kent State just last season- and it’s hard to overstate what a storybook moment it would be if they were able to take down Buffalo in their last FBS challenge ever.

We’ll be on the beat as always.