The football team dropped a 31-7 decision at Central Connecticut State on Sept. 13 in the Northeast Conference opener for both schools.
The Red Flash were neck and neck with CCSU, the defending NEC champions, in the first quarter. SFU received the ball on its own two-yard line in the opening quarter and drove the length of the field, scoring a touchdown when redshirt sophomore Jahmil Perryman found paydirt from eight yards out.
On the scoring drive, Red Flash quarterback Nick Whitfield connected on a 71-yard pass to freshman Lukas Gilland. It was the first collegiate catch for the rookie receiver from Mineral, Ohio.
Mike Darcy and Payton Wehner also had their first collegiate catches in the game.
Perryman finished the game with 30 yards rushing on five carries. He also had one catch for 13 yards. Redshirt junior running back Raphael Ekechi ran for 35 yards in the loss.
Whitfield finished the game 13-for-36 for 159 yards.
SFU sophomore Colin Douglas had a career-high nine tackles.
Saint Francis had five turnovers in the game, and the Blue Devils turned three of those into touchdowns.
The Red Flash will host Delaware State in its 2025 home-opener on Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.
Before kickoff against the Hornets, there will be a pregame ceremony during which the Red Flash men’s basketball and softball teams will receive their 2024-25 NEC Championship rings.
Delaware State is 2-1. The Hornets defeated Bowie State, 36-14, at home last weekend.
