CHICAGO – Junior defensive back Taj McClellan (Joliet, Ill./Joliet Catholic Academy) tied the single-game program record for interceptions, coming away with three, including a momentum stopping pick early in the fourth quarter to help give Saint Xavier University football (1-2, 0-0 MSFA Midwest) a 21-7 victory over Madonna University (Mich.) in a Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) crossover contest Saturday evening at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field in Chicago, Ill. McClellan ties the record originally set by former standout Tom Bijak (2000-23), who collected three interceptions in a 48-3 victory over former NAIA program Urbana University (Ohio) on September 28, 2002, at Deaton Field when it was still known as the SXU Football Field. McClellan finished the game with five solo tackles and two pass breakups.

• Redshirt freshman quarterback Mathew Opat (Munster, Ind./Munster) made his first collegiate start, throwing for 147 yards on 18-for-30 passing with one touchdown and one interception.
• Senior running back Tyreese Lee (Chicago, Ill./Moraine Valley/Eisenhower) rushed for a season-high 72 yards on 19 carries along with a pair of touchdown runs.
• Redshirt junior running back Joey Thompson (Homer Glen, Ill./Midland/Western Illinois/Mount Carmel) ran for 34 yards on seven carries and he caught two passes for two yards.
• Senior wide receiver Marquel Porter (Calumet Park, Ill./DuPage/Richards) led the Cougars with 40 receiving yards, coming on one catch for a touchdown.
• Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Charles Campbell (Chicago, Ill./Quincy/Reavis) had three receptions for 39 yards.
• Redshirt freshman wide receiver Kameron Hopkins (Bolingbrook, Ill./Minooka Community) led SXU with five catches for 28 yards.
• Sophomore punter Ayden Sheppard (Spring Grove, Ill./Grant Community) averaged 43.2 yards per punt on six attempts, with two landing side the 20-yard line, including a 63-yard punt that was downed at the 18-yard line.
• Senior linebacker Chris Swayne (LaSalle, Ill./LaSalle-Peru Township) was credited with a game-high 11 tackles (six solos) along with 2.0 sacks for nine yards.
• Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman David Burton (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway West) posted seven tackles (four solos) with 3.5 tackles for loss for 21 yards and 2.5 sacks for 20 yards.
• Redshirt freshman defensive back Tai Sesta (Joliet, Ill./Roosevelt/Joliet Catholic Academy) made a pair of tackles (one solo) and he had an interception returned for three yards.
• Redshirt sophomore defensive back Cam Manney (Chicago, Ill./Curie) recorded three tackles (two solos) and he had a 44-yard punt return that set up a score in the second quarter.
• Senior defensive lineman Justin Yeazell (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) added two tackles (one solo) with 1.5 sacks for eight yards and a forced fumble.
• After a scoreless first quarter that saw both teams come away with interceptions, the Cougars took the ball to start the second quarter at the 14:55 mark and used only four plays to go 55 yards when Opat connected with Porter for a 40-yard catch and run for a touchdown.
• The SXU defense forced a three-and-out and special teams set them up with good field position at the Madonna 16-yard line after Manney's 44-yard punt return. Lee capped the three-play drive with a two-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0 with 10:05 remaining in the first half.
• McClellan's first interception of the game allowed Saint Xavier to score on its third consecutive possession, marching 51 yards on 10 plays, when Lee burst throw the line for an 11-yard touchdown run to make it 21-0 with 2:41 to go.
• Midway through the third quarter, the Cougars attempted a 54-yard field goal attempt, however the kick was partially blocked. On the next play, the Crusaders threw a 63-yard touchdown pass to get on the board with 9:16 left in the frame.
• One possession later, Madonna was driving into SXU territory when McClellan intercepted his second pass of the game at the Saint Xavier eight-yard line.
• The Crusaders took over with 40 seconds remaining in the third period and were just outside the red-zone when McClellan, laying on his back, tallied his third pick of the evening.
• Both teams traded field position throughout the fourth quarter before a pair of sacks by the Saint Xavier defense put MU at 4^th and 31. McClellan made the stop of the fourth down attempt with nine seconds left in regulation. The Cougars kneeled down on the next play to seal the victory.

Saint Xavier (1-2/0-0 MSFA Midwest) travels to Southfield, Mich. to play Lawrence Tech University (Mich.) in another MSFA crossover game on Saturday, September 27. The game is scheduled for a 12:00 pm central start.