JOLIET, Ill. - The Davenport University football team had their three-game win streak snapped at Saint Francis (Ill.) by a late field goal in the closing seconds. The Panthers (4-3) saw a 24-yard field goal by Grayson Barnette split the uprights with 1.7 seconds left to give the Fighting Saints (3-4) a 24-21 win. Davenport and Saint Francis traded possessions in the fourth quarter and DU took over the ball at their own 44 with good field position and 37 seconds to go. The Panthers completed a five-yard pass near midfield but on the next play quarterback
Hunter Krause threw a costly interception to Josh Woodard that was returned 48 yards to the DU 3 with nine seconds left. The Fighting Saints lost three yards to put the ball in the middle of the field and then kicked the winning field goal.
Davenport looked very solid in the first quarter and built a 14-0 lead. DU marched 63 yards in 10 plays on their opening drive and Krause found
Nate Couturier on a seven-yard pitch and catch with 8:51 left in the first for a 7-0 lead. The Panthers then took their next drive 80 yards in nine plays capped off by a two-yard run by
Kyler Shurlow with 1:28 left in the first for a 14-0 lead. The Panthers gained 143 yards in the first quarter and then added 84 total yards in the second quarter. Saint Francis cut the lead to 14-7 as Don Butkus fired a 17-yard touchdown to Brandon Ruffin with 13:21 left in the second quarter. The Panthers responded with a good kickoff return to midfield and three plays later it was Krause to
TC Wells for 50 yards with 12:18 left in the half for a 21-7 lead. Unfortunately, the Panthers would not score for the rest of the game.
Saint Francis got within seven at 21-14 on a 56-yard touchdown run by Jordon Smith with 3:00 left in the half. The Fighting Saints tied the game at 21-21 on their first drive of the second half after they recovered an onside kick to start the half at the DU 33. Butkus found Lexus Jackson on a 17-yard touchdown and the PAT made it 21-21 with 13:41 left in the third. Davenport held Saint Francis to just 40 yards in the fourth quarter but the late pick proved to be the dagger.
The Panthers outgained Saint Francis, 373-299, for the contest.
William Gist carried 18 times for 109 yards for DU. Krause finished 19-of-29 for 208 yards and was sacked twice. Couturier went for nine catches and 102 yards.
Herman Brunis caught seven passes for 50 yards.
Brent Showers led the defense yet again with 13 tackles and a tackle for loss.
T.J. Douglas recorded eight tackles and a half tackle for loss.
