Hoenstine aids

SFU win

DOVER, Del. – Saint Francis University football used a 22-point effort in the final 5:38 of the game to complete a comeback 28-17 victory at Delaware State.

Red Flash quarterback Jeff Hoenstine, a Central graduate, went 10-of-18 for 117 yards and two touchdowns, while teammate Markell Holman had 22 rushes for 184 yards and two touchdowns. He had 143 of his rushing yards in the fourth quarter.

SFU’s Gavin Thomson had six catches for 87 yards, one touchdown and a two-point conversion.

On defense, Mercury Swaim and Pierre Royster led the Flash (2-3) with seven tackles, while Eddie Bierals and Royster each recorded a team-high 1.5 tackles for loss. Five different Red Flash players recorded a sack.

Down 17-6, with less than six minutes remaining in the game, Saint Francis inched closer on a one-yard Thomson touchdown reception, followed by a two-point conversion, to cut into the deficit to 17-14.

The ensuing kickoff stayed in bounds and was recovered by the Red Flash to immediately set up another offensive drive at the Delaware State 35-yard line with 5:37 remaining. Two plays later, Holman hurdled a defender and completed a 30-yard rushing touchdown for a 21-17 lead.

Saint Francis forced a three-and-out on the next drive, and responded with a 55-yard Holman touchdown with 1:08 remaining to open a 28-17 lead. The Red Flash stopped the Hornets in the final drive to earn a victory.

The comeback was Saint Francis’ second fourth-quarter comeback in the last eight games played dating back to a 15-point win last season against Merrimack.

Holman’s 184 rushing yards are the most since Marcus Bagley recorded 220 on Sept. 17, 2016 at Columbia. It marks only the fourth 150-plus rushing effort since the start of the 2016 campaign. Hoenstine moved to 2-1 as a starter.

Saint Francis returns home to face in-state rival Duquesne on Saturday, Oct. 12 at noon.

Mirror reports