Adversity is something that happens in football often. The Cougars have fallen to 1-2 record to start off the season after losing two straight games against two tough teams.
Saint Xavier University’s Football (NO.13) suffered their first loss as the team took their first loss of the season against Marian University on Saturday September 9, 2023, they lost by one score, 21-28.
It was a nail biting game from start to finish and the Cougars just came up short.
Going into this game the Cougars dominated Saint Francis (Ind.) 45-28 at home, a week before on Sept. 2, in Fort Wayne, (Ind.).
The 5pm game started off with two quick scores from Marian to go up 14-0 against SXU.
Late in the first quarter, the Cougars responded with a one hundred yard kick return touchdown from Graduate Student Wide Receiver, Justin Pringle, to make the score 14-7.
Pringle finished the game with seven receptions for 77 yards.
The return from Pringle gave the Cougars the momentum they needed to get back into the game.
Late in the second quarter Marian tacked on another score to go up 21-7. With a few seconds left in the second quarter, the Cougars cut down Marian’s lead to make the score 21-14. Passing touchdown from Sophomore, Quarterback Aidan Voss to Senior, Wide receiver Brandt Hixon .
Voss finished the game 15 for 23 on completions, 131 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions. Not a very good day through the air for the Cougars, a necessary part of the game for SXU to improve on if they want to get back into the win column.
After the half the Cougars scored again but this time from the defense with a 34 yard pick six from Senior, Defensive Back Kevin Countryman. The explosive defensive turnover resulted in a 21-21 tie in the third quarter.
Countryman is a cornerstone for the Cougars defense with his ballhawking skills, as well as his ability to find the endzone everytime he gets his hands on the ball.
The fourth quarter had only one score, a two yard run from MU which ultimately resulted in Saint Xavier’s first loss of the 2023 season.
Marian had a long-seven minute drive that kept the Cougars defense off the field in the fourth. The Knights were able to capitalize on a drive with just under 8 minutes left.
The Cougars were unable to get the ball moving on offense, a key issue in their 21-28 loss to Marian.
The top performers for the Cougars defensively were Countryman; Sophomore, Linebacker Terry Elias; and Senior, Linebacker Ryan Fitzgerald. Countryman finished the game with five total tackles and an interception for a touchdown.
Elias finished the game leading the Cougars defense in tackles with 17 total tackles and a pass deflection.
Fitzgerald had eight total tackles and a forced fumble.
The cougars next game was a home opener on Saturday Sep 16, 2023 at Deaton Field, which they lost to Indiana Wesleyan 16-15.
Going into the game Wesleyan was ranked NO. 5 in the NAIA and the Cougars knew if they wanted to climb the NAIA rankings themselves, a win was pivotal.
The Cougars had a shot of being an NAIA Top 10 team but after losing this game they fell to rank 18.
The game started off with a IWU score on a one yard touchdown run to go up 7-0.
The Cougars responded the drive with a one yard touchdown run by Pringle to tie the game at 7-7.
Headed into the second quarter, IWU tacked on another touchdown through the air to go up 14-7.
The third quarter didn’t have any touchdowns, but IWU’s defense forced a safety to make the score 16-7.
The final quarter started off with the Cougars returning the favor to the Wildcats with a safety from the Cougars defenseThe SXU safety cut the IWU lead down to 16-9.
Late in the fourth,the Cougars’ offense took a trip inside IWU’s redzone.
Senior quarterback Stuart Ross threw a checkdown to Junior running back Matthew Chavers III.
Chavers put an IWU defender into the turf and raced to the endzone to make the score 16-15
Instead of the Cougars taking the field goal to tie the game, they insisted on going for two. They tried to get the ball to Pringle but could not convert.
Although the Cougars failed to secure the win, the defense continues to get better and better each game.
Sophomore linebacker Terry Elias has proven to be an asset to the defense. Elias finished the game with ten total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble and recovery.
His ability to make tackles and force fumbles is very vital for the Cougars as a team. When able to force turnovers helps give a team a moral boost and a momentum shift.
SXU needs to limit the turnovers, there have been too many interceptions three games into the season.
The Cougars have had seven interceptions thrown just in the first three games. If the Cougars can limit the offensive turnovers, capitalize on drives, and get the ball to their playmakers,they can win some games
The Cougars next game is Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 12:00 pm at Deaton Field. SXU takes on Madonna University at home, hoping to improve their record to 2-2.