In a much-anticipated matchup between two top teams in the NAIA, the No. 11 Saint Xavier Cougars could not overcome an early 25-0 deficit as they fell to No. 1 University of Saint Francis on Saturday, 48-23.
The Cougars traveled over 150 miles to Fort Wayne, Indiana with the hopes of pulling off an upset, but were greeted with an offensive onslaught by the former NAIA Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Nick Ferrer. Ferrer lead the Saint Francis offense on a methodical 12-play, 65-yard touchdown drive to open the ball game. On the ensuing Cougars possession, sophomore quarterback Alex Martinez was tasked to match a Saint Francis offense that totaled 686 yards in a 49-21 victory over No. 23 Saint Ambrose University just a week prior. Martinez began the first Cougar drive on his own 25-yard-line, but was pushed back to inside the 15 after being sacked on second down. Saint Xavier could not move the chains and were forced to punt deep in their own territory.
On fourth down and 14, the snap to punter Joe Bailey sailed over his head and trickled out of the back of the end zone, which resulted in a safety. The Cougars trailed 9-0 after 8:13 of game time. Following the safety and a healthy kick return, Saint Francis started their second drive at the Cougars’ 49-yard line. Ferrer wasted little time getting the ball across the goal line.
On the first play of the series, Ferrer launched a deep pass to sophomore receiver Rocky James who hauled it in cleanly for a touchdown. After a successful point, Saint Xavier saw themselves down 16-0 on the road against the top-ranked team in the NAIA. To stop the bleeding, it was imperative for Saint Xavier’s offense to get something going on their second offensive possession. Unfortunately for the Cougars, the outcome was almost identical to their first drive.
On third down, Martinez was sacked back at his own eight-yard line, which forced the special teams unit to punt out of their end zone yet again. Once more, the snap to the punter Bailey was sent over his outstretched arms and resulted in Saint Francis’ second safety in two defensive tries.
With the score at 18-0, No. 1 Saint Francis managed their third touchdown in three offensive drives to pull ahead to what seemed to be an insurmountable 25-0 lead. Saint Xavier played about as poorly as a team could play to begin the ball game. It would have been easy for the Cougars to quit, but head coach Mike Feminis’ team battled to the very end.
Martinez looked sharp on the subsequent drive for Saint Xavier, as the 6’0, 205-pound quarterback completed five-of-six passes for 63 yards. His fifth completion of the series found sophomore wide out Michael Markasovic for a 27-yard touchdown to finish the first quarter down 25-7.
Saint Francis, as most good teams do, refused to take their foot off the gas pedal in the second quarter. Ferrer and his offense were perfect through four offensive series as they responded again with a touchdown. Saint Xavier, clinging to life, got a much-needed interception from freshman cornerback Kevin Block with 6:45 to go in the first half. The turnover resulted in a field goal to cut the deficit to 32-10.
The Cougars believed they still had a chance in the game if their defense could hold Saint Francis before halftime. Alas, Ferrer managed a 10 play, 66-yard touchdown drive to go ahead 39-10 with 46 seconds left before the two teams adjourned to their respective locker rooms.
However, 46 seconds proved to be plenty of time for Saint Xavier’s offense to bring life to an otherwise dreary contest. Sophomore Harold Davis returned a kick for 75 yards to the Saint Francis 25. Then, in three plays, Martinez found senior Mark Strbjak in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard score.
The late first half touchdown gave the Cougars a reason to believe they could manage a comeback in the second half, but Saint Xavier needed a perfect 30 minutes of football for it to come to pass.
Trailing 39-17, Saint Xavier could not muster points on four separate offensive possessions in the third quarter. After the team’s third safety that resulted from another snap sailing over the head of the punter Bailey, the Cougars battled a 24-point deficit, as well as a dissipating game clock. Ultimately, the mountain proved to be too steep to climb for the Cougars.
Saint Xavier managed to finish the contest with a scoring drive on their final offensive series. Sophomore running back Jamarri Watson found the end zone on a two-yard run for his first touchdown of the season. Martinez ended the day completing 28 of 54 passes for 258 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Nick Czeszewski led Saint Xavier in receiving with 93 yards on 10 catches.
The Cougars showed heart in the way they competed in a 25-point defeat, but it is easy to ponder how different the ballgame could have played out if Saint Xavier avoided such a putrid start. Coach Feminis’ group will head into homecoming weekend against Taylor University with a 3-1 record. Taylor will represent the final non-conference matchup of the season before the Cougars close out their schedule with five consecutive Midwest League games.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00pm on Saturday at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field. The broadcast can be heard on WXAV 88.3 FM or wxav.com.
Mike Rankin
Sports Editor