Saint Francis Drops opener to Dayton 18-10, misses opportunities for win
The Saint Francis Red Flash opened their 2024 season with a narrow 18-10 loss to the Dayton Flyers. In a game marked by defensive battles and missed opportunities, the Red Flash showed resilience but ultimately fell short. Despite the loss, there were bright spots, including a strong rushing performance and a key defensive play that set up their only touchdown. As Saint Francis prepares for the NEC schedule, this game offers lessons and areas for improvement.
The game started with Dayton quickly taking the lead. Quarterback Drew VanVleet connected with Gavin Lochow for a 12-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter, putting the Flyers ahead 7-0. The Red Flash's struggles began shortly after, when a well-placed Dayton punt pinned them at their own one-yard line. On the very next play, the Flyers’ defense capitalized, tackling Saint Francis in the end zone for a safety, extending Dayton’s lead to 9-0.
The second quarter was a defensive struggle, with neither team able to find the end zone. However, Saint Francis managed to get on the board with a 26-yard field goal by Mac Plummer at the 6:25 mark. This brought the score to 9-3, and the Red Flash entered halftime with some momentum, despite trailing.
The third quarter saw more action, beginning with Dayton extending their lead. The Flyers executed a trick play, resulting in a 27-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Lochow, pushing the score to 15-3 after a failed two-point conversion.
Saint Francis responded with a crucial defensive play when linebacker Tangelo forced a fumble deep in Dayton territory. The Red Flash capitalized on this opportunity with a 1-yard touchdown run by Markell Holman, narrowing the gap to 15-10 with 5:24 left in the third quarter.
As the third quarter wound down, Dayton added a 44-yard field goal, stretching their lead to 18-10 with just seven seconds remaining in the quarter. This proved to be the final score of the game, as both defenses tightened up in the fourth quarter.
Saint Francis had a golden opportunity to close the gap early in the fourth quarter. They drove the ball down to Dayton's five-yard line, but a costly fumble on third down ended the drive, with Dayton recovering the ball. The Red Flash were unable to score for the remainder of the game, allowing Dayton to secure the 18-10 victory.
Despite the loss, there were notable performances from Saint Francis players:
- Nick Whitfield Jr. (QB): Whitfield completed 15 of 26 passes for 121 yards. While he didn't find the end zone, his leadership in driving the team down the field, particularly in the second half, was evident.
- DeMarcus McElroy (RB): McElroy led the rushing attack with 69 yards on 9 carries, averaging an impressive 7.7 yards per carry. His 28-yard run was the longest for Saint Francis and demonstrated his explosiveness.
- Gavin Thomson (WR): Thomson was the top target for Whitfield, making 3 catches for 44 yards, including a crucial 29-yard reception.
The Red Flash showed flashes of potential against Dayton, particularly on the defensive side of the ball and in their running game. However, missed opportunities and turnovers proved costly. As Saint Francis prepares for NEC play, focusing on ball security and capitalizing on scoring chances will be crucial. The performance of players like McElroy and Thomson suggests that the Red Flash have the talent to compete strongly in their conference.
Saint Francis’ season opener against Dayton ended in a tough 18-10 loss, but the game provided valuable lessons and highlighted areas for improvement. With solid performances from key players and a strong defensive effort, the Red Flash have a foundation to build on as they head into NEC play. Fans can look forward to a team that, with some adjustments, has the potential to make a significant impact in the conference this season.
Saint Francis is back in action on 9/7 at Kent State, who is 0-1 following a drubbing from Pittsburgh.
