CHICAGO – The Saint Xavier University football team (5-2, 1-0 MSFA Midwest) opened Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League play with a 10-0 victory over University of St. Francis (Ill.) Saturday afternoon at Joliet Memorial Stadium in Joliet, Ill. Redshirt sophomore defensive back
Cam Manney (Chicago, Ill./Curie) recorded his second interception of the season, returning the ball 24 yards into the end zone in the first quarter. It was the second consecutive week that the Cougars had a defensive touchdown in the opening period after an 80-yard fumble recovery for a score last week against Siena Heights University (Mich.) at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field in Chicago, Ill. Manney also had four tackles (three solos) and a pass breakup. The SXU defense allowed only 26 rushing yards on the afternoon, and they held the Fighting Saints to 229 yards of total offense. Saint Xavier has now won five games in a row and posted its first shutout since a 38-0 triumph over University of Saint Francis (Ind.), 38-0, on September 25, 2021.
- Senior quarterback Dominic D'Ambrosio (Oak Forest, Ill./Andrew) threw for 166 yards on 17-for-27 passing and three interceptions. He added 53 rushing yards on 11 attempts with a long run of 20 yards.
- Junior wide receiver Quinn Callaghan (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield) completed his first collegiate pass, a 29-yard strike, in the fourth quarter. He also had a kickoff returned for 22 yards.
- Senior running back Tyreese Lee (Chicago, Ill./Moraine Valley/Eisenhower) was the leading rusher for the Cougars, totaling 57 yards on 14 carries. He also had a 13-yard reception.
- Fifth year senior wide receiver Ronnie Foster (Peoria Heights, Ill./Peoria Heights) caught five passes for 74 yards. He reached a huge career-milestone, becoming the 28th player in program history to record 1,000 or more career receiving yards. After today, Foster now ranks No. 25 with 1,061 receiving yards for SXU.
- Redshirt freshman wide receiver Kameron Hopkins (Bolingbrook, Ill./Minooka Community) made four receptions for 53 yards
- Freshman kicker Christian Casillas (Alsip, Ill./Eisenhower) made a 19-yard field goal in the final quarter. He also had three kickoffs, two that were touchbacks, for an average of 63.7 yards per kick.
- Senior linebacker Chris Swayne (LaSalle, Ill./LaSalle-Peru Township) posted eight tackles (two solos) with 0.5 tackles for loss for two yards and a pass breakup
- Senior linebacker Terry Elias Jr. (Monee, Ill./Crete-Monee) also had eight stops (three solos) with 1.0 tackle for loss for five yards.
- Senior linebacker Carter Wynn (Greenfield, Wis./Whitnall) was credited with five tackles (one solo), a quarterback hurry and 0.5 tackles for loss for three yards.
- Junior defensive back Taj McClellan (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Catholic Academy) tallied three tackles (two solos) and a team-best three pass breakups.
- Saint Xavier took the opening drive of the game down to the St. Francis 24-yard line on 12-plays that went 54 yards. However, the drive stalled after the Cougars could not pick up a fourth and five. On the next play from scrimmage, Manney stepped in front of a pass and raced 24 yards into the end zone for a 7-0 lead at the 8:26 mark of the first quarter.
- Both teams traded field position over the next three quarters as the SXU defense forced eight punts on the day.
- With 11:43 remaining in regulation, Saint Xavier took over at its own 20-yard line after they forced a punt. From there, the Cougars took 7:02 off the clock as they went 78 yards on 12 plays, culminating in a 19-yard field goal by Casillas.
Saint Xavier (5-2/1-0 MSFA Midwest) hosts No. 24 University of Saint Francis (Ind.) in MSFA Midwest League action at Deaton Field on Saturday, October 25. The game is slated for a 12:00 pm kickoff.
