The football team suffered another heartbreaking loss at DeGol Field on Nov. 8, falling to Mercyhurst, 16-15, after the Lakers scored the go-ahead touchdown with 20 seconds left.
SFU kicker Mac Plummer connected on five field goals in the game. He tied the school record for field goals in a single game in the loss.
Saint Francis led 9-0 at the half and was dominating the game statistically after two quarters. Mercyhurst began to move the ball more effectively to open the second half, however, scoring a touchdown and a hitting on a field goal in the third quarter to go ahead 10-9.
Plummer – who connected on field goals of 28, 34 and 26 yards in the first half – made two field goals late in the fourth quarter to put SFU back on top, 15-10. His fourth-quarter field goals came from 20 and 25 yard out.
With one minute left in the game, however, the Lakers mounted a six-play, 65-yard drive that took just 40 seconds. It gave Mercyhurst the lead for good and dealt SFU its ninth straight loss on the season.
Plummer’s last field goal was set up after junior defensive back Craig Joyner forced a Lakers fumble late in the fourth quarter. SFU linebacker Colin Douglas scooped the ball and raced 45 yards before being brought down at the Lakers’ five-yard line. Douglas finished the game with eight tackles.
Flash linebacker Zach Betts had another strong game, posting a forced fumble and five tackles. Ike Okoye recovered the fumble that Betts forced.
Philadelphia native Corey Williams had a career-high seven tackles.
Red Flash quarterback Nick Whitfield finished the game 21 of 36 for 193 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.
SFU hosts LIU on Nov. 15 at noon in its last home game of the season. The team’s 12 seniors will be recognized for their contributions to the program before the game against the Sharks.
