The Saint Francis football team’s back was against the wall this past Homecoming Weekend… and it responded resoundingly.
After back-to-back shutout losses at Wagner and Robert Morris, Saint Francis pitched a shutout of its own, smashing Stonehill, 34-0, last weekend.
It marked SFU’s most lopsided win since last year’s 49-14 victory over Central Connecticut in the final game of the 2023 season.
The stats from last week’s game are striking: SFU had 22 first downs and Stonehill had 5; SFU had 309 total yards, Stonehill had 34; SFU punted 3 times, Stonehill punted 8 times.
But the most eye-popping stat of them all was passing yards: Saint Francis QB Nick Whitfield threw for 168; Stonehill finished the game with negative 4 yards through the air.
“Discipline is always the key. Stonehill had an offense that could get rolling if they gained a little momentum,” said redshirt junior defensive back Nate Frye.
“Being disciplined with our eyes, effort and communication were key.”
SFU started the game slowly. In the first quarter, the Flash missed a field goal and punted three times.
In the second quarter, SFU running back DeMarcus McElroy showed off his explosive speed with a 50-yard touchdown run that gave the Red Flash a 7-0 lead. The touchdown was SFU’s first points in more than 11 quarters.
After McElroy’s score, the route was on as Saint Francis scored touchdowns on each of its next two drives to go up 21-0.
In the fourth quarter, SFU scored its first passing touchdown of the game on a Whitfield 46-yard deep ball that he placed right on the fingertips of receiver Jahmil Perryman for another score.
Whitfield threw his second touchdown pass to senior receiver Gavin Thompson before the final horn. The redshirt sophomore quarterback finished the game 9-for-17 for 168 yards and 2 scores.
Defensively, freshman linebacker Geno Calgaro continued his strong season, recording a game-high 13 tackles, including 4 ½ for losses. He was named the NEC’s Co-Defensive Player-of-the-Week and Rookie-of-the-Week following his performance.
SFU (3-6, 1-4 NEC) is on a bye this weekend before returning to action at LIU on Nov. 16.
