2024 Saint Francis Red Flash football team

2024 Saint Francis Red Flash football
Conference	Northeast Conference
Record	4–7 (2–4 NEC)
Head coach	Chris Villarrial (14th season)
Offensive coordinator	Marco Pecora (5th season)
Defensive coordinator	Jacob Craig (1st season)
Home stadium	DeGol Field
Seasons ←  2023 2025 →

2024 Northeast Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Central Connecticut +^		5	–	1					7	–	6
Duquesne +		5	–	1					8	–	3
Robert Morris		4	–	2					7	–	5
LIU		3	–	3					4	–	8
Wagner		2	–	4					4	–	8
Saint Francis (PA)		2	–	4					4	–	7
Mercyhurst*		0	–	0					4	–	7
Stonehill*		0	–	6					1	–	10
+ – Conference co-champions ^ – FCS playoff participant * – Stonehill and Mercyhurst are ineligible for NEC title and FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II. Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 Saint Francis Red Flash football team represented Saint Francis University as a member of the Northeast Conference (NEC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Red Flash were led by 14th-year head coach Chris Villarrial, and played home games at DeGol Field in Loretto, Pennsylvania.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	12:00 p.m.	at Dayton *	Welcome Stadium Dayton, OH	Facebook Live	L 10–18	2,850
September 7	2:30 p.m.	at Kent State *	Dix Stadium Kent, OH	ESPN+	W 23–17	11,585
September 14	12:00 p.m.	Central Connecticut	DeGol Field Loretto, PA	NEC Front Row	L 20–27	2,616
September 21	2:00 p.m.	at Eastern Michigan *	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI	ESPN+	L 0–36	15,509
October 5	1:00 p.m.	at Delaware State *	Alumni Stadium Dover, DE	ESPN+	W 28–17	5,400
October 12	12:00 p.m.	Duquesne	DeGol Field Loretto, PA	ESPN+	L 7–38	1,799
October 19	12:00 p.m.	at Wagner	Wagner College Stadium Staten Island, NY	NEC Front Row	L 0–14	2,785
October 26	2:00 p.m.	at Robert Morris	Joe Walton Stadium Moon Township, PA	NEC Front Row	L 0–17	2,657
November 2	1:00 p.m.	Stonehill	DeGol Field Loretto, PA	NEC Front Row	W 34–0	5,400
November 16	12:00 p.m.	at LIU	Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium Brookville, NY	NEC Front Row	W 34–27	684
November 23	1:00 p.m.	at Mercyhurst	Saxon Stadium Erie, PA	NEC Front Row	L 20–21	826
*Non-conference game Homecoming All times are in Eastern time

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Game summaries

at Dayton

See also: 2024 Dayton Flyers football team

Game One – Saint Francis Red Flash (0–0) at Dayton Flyers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Red Flash	0	3	7	0	10
Flyers	9	0	9	0	18

at Welcome Stadium • Dayton, OH

• Date: August 31, 2024
• Game time: 12:06 pm
• Game weather: Cloudy, 80 °F (27 °C)
• Game attendance: 2,850
• Referee: John Shay
• TV announcers (Facebook Live): TBD
• Box Score (SFU) Recap (SFU)

Game information

First quarter 7:51 DAY - Gavin Lochow 12-yard pass from Drew VanVleet (Danny Baker kick), (Drive: 11 plays, 28 yards, 5:55; Dayton 7–0) 0:59 DAY - 0-yard safety ; (Dayton 9–0) Second quarter 6:25 SFU - Mac Plummer 26-yard field goal (Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:28; Dayton 9–3) Third quarter 11:04 DAY - Luke Brenner 27-yard pass from Gavin Lochow, (Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 3:54; Dayton 15–3) 5:24 SFU - Markell Holman 1-yard run (Mac Plummer kick), (Drive: 6 plays, 36 yards, 2:26; Dayton 15–10) 0:07 DAY - Danny Baker 44-yard field goal, (Drive: 11 plays, 36 yards, 5:09; Dayton 18–10) Fourth quarter No scoring

Statistics	SFPA	DAY
First downs	13	16
Total yards	247	196
Rushing yards	126	40
Passing yards	121	156
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	15–26–0	16–23–0
Time of possession	24:46	35:14

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Saint Francis (PA)	Passing	Nick Whitfield, Jr.	15/26, 121 yards
	Rushing	DeMarcus McElroy	9 carries, 69 yards
	Receiving	Gavin Thomson	3 receptions, 44 yards
Dayton	Passing	Drew VanVleet	15/22, 129 yards, 1 TD
	Rushing	Mason Hackett	18 carries, 60 yards
	Receiving	Gavin Lochow	8 receptions, 55 yards, 1 TD

at Kent State (FBS)

See also: 2024 Kent State Golden Flashes football team

Game Two – Saint Francis Red Flash (0–1) at Kent State Golden Flashes (FBS) (0–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Red Flash	10	10	3	0	23
Golden Flashes (FBS)	0	14	0	3	17

at Dix Stadium • Kent, OH

• Date: September 7, 2024
• Game time: 2:30 pm
• Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 60 °F (16 °C) • Wind: NW at 14 miles per hour (23 km/h)
• Game attendance: 11,585
• Referee: Rich Edwards
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Anthony Lima (play-by-play) and Randy Buffington (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (9:53) SFU - Mac Plummer 50-yard Plummer field goal, 8 plays, 52 yards, TOP 03:28 (Saint Francis 3–0) (3:46) SFU - Jeff Hoenstine 2-yard run (Mac Plummer Kick), 5 plays, 41 yards, TOP 02:18 (Saint Francis 10–0) Second quarter (10:56) SFU - Gavin Thomson 64-yard pass from Jeff Hoenstine (Mac Plummer Kick), 5 plays, 85 yards, TOP 02:37 (Saint Francis 17–0) (5:59) KSU - Chrishon McCray 9 Yd pass from Tommy Ulatowski (Andrew Glass Kick), 10 plays, 54 yards, TOP 04:49 (Saint Francis 17–7) (1:56) SFU - Mac Plummer 33-yard field goal, 11 plays, 60 yards, TOP 04:03 (Saint Francis 20–7) (0:46) KSU - Luke Floriea 23-yard pass from Devin Kargman (Andrew Glass Kick), 8 plays, 68 yards, TOP 01:05 (Saint Francis 20–14) Third quarter (11:30) SFU - Mac Plummer 46-yard field goal 8 plays, 47 yards, TOP 03:30 (Saint Francis 23–14) Fourth quarter (1:38) KSU - Andrew Glass 44-yard field goal 7 plays, 55 yards, TOP 01:26 (Saint Francis 23–17)

Statistics	SFPA	KENT
First downs	16	16
Total yards	402	280
Rushing yards	207	78
Passing yards	195	202
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	11–22–0	23–39–1
Time of possession	34:24	25:36

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Saint Francis (PA)	Passing	Jeff Hoenstine	11/22, 195 yards, TD
	Rushing	DeMarcus McElroy	20 carries, 81 yards
	Receiving	Gavin Thomson	5 receptions, 124 yards, TD
Kent State	Passing	Devin Kargman	22/38, 193 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Ky Thomas	11 carries, 39 yards
	Receiving	Luke Floriea	6 receptions, 92 yards, TD

Central Connecticut

See also: 2024 Central Connecticut Blue Devils football team

Game Three – Central Connecticut Blue Devils (1–1) at Saint Francis Red Flash (1–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Blue Devils	6	14	0	7	27
Red Flash	7	7	6	0	20

at DeGol Field • Loretto, PA

• Date: September 14, 2024
• Game time: 12:00 pm
• Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 69 °F (21 °C)
• Game attendance: 2,616
• Referee: Michael Quinn
• TV announcers (NEC Front Row): Pat Farabaugh (play-by-play) and Jay Roberts (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (11:12) CCSU - Jack Barnum 39-yard Field Goal (Drive:10 plays, 34 yards, 3:43; Central Connecticut 3-0) (10:04) CCSU - Jack Barnum 40-yard Field Goal (Drive:4 plays, 1 yard, 1:01; Central Connecticut 6-0) (9:50) SFU - DaMario Crawford 94-yard Kickoff Return (Mac Plummer Kick) (Saint Francis 7-6) Second quarter (12:39) CCSU - Brady Olson 7-yard Run (Jack Barnum Kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 4:42; Central Connecticut 13-7) (7:21) SFU - DeMarcus McElroy 97-yard Run (Mac Plummer Kick) (Drive: 1 play, 97 yards, 0:15; Saint Francis 14-13) (0:25) CCSU - Michael Plaskon 11-yard pass from Brady Olson (Jack Barnum Kick) (Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 1:48; Central Connecticut 20-14) Third quarter (5:32) SFU - Fran Brown Jr. 0-yard Fumble Return (Mac Plummer PAT failed) (Drive: 4 plays, 97 yards, 2:04; Tied 20-20) Fourth quarter (1:45) CCSU - Kimal Clark 10-yard Fumble Return (Jack Barnum Kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 89 yards, 0:21; Central Connecticut 27-20)

Statistics	CCSU	SFPA
First downs	19	12
Total yards	297	248
Rushing yards	115	103
Passing yards	182	145
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	22–43–1	20–25–0
Time of possession	30:30	29:30

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Central Connecticut	Passing	Brady Olson	21/42, 163 yards, TD
	Rushing	Elijah Howard	23 carries, 102 yards
	Receiving	Michael Plaskon	6 receptions, 53 yards, TD
Saint Francis (PA)	Passing	Jeff Hoenstine	12/16, 112 yards, INT
	Rushing	DeMarcus McElroy	9 carries, 124 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jayden Ivory	5 receptions, 47 yards

at Eastern Michigan (FBS)

See also: 2024 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team

Game Four – Saint Francis Red Flash (1–2) vs Eastern Michigan Eagles (FBS) (2–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Red Flash	0	0	0	0	0
Eagles (FBS)	10	3	16	7	36

at Rynearson Stadium, Ypsilanti, Michigan

• Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 PM
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Anthony Lima (play-by-play) and Je'Rod Cherry (analyst)

Game information

First quarter EMU – David Carter Jr. 99-yard fumble return (Jesus Gomez kick) 4:33. Eagles 7–0. Drive: 14 plays, 79 yards, 7:28. EMU – Jesus Gomez 40-yard field goal, 0:44. Eagles 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 2:08. Second quarter EMU – Jesus Gomez 49-yard field goal, 6:46. Eagles 13–0. Drive: 12 plays, 38 yards, 5:50. Third quarter EMU – Delbert Mimms III 1-yard run (kick failed) 9:12. Eagles 19–0. Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 2:23. EMU – Kendric Nowling 0-yard blocked punt return (Jesus Gomez kick) 7:38. Eagles 26–0. Drive: 3 plays, -7 yards, 1:34. EMU – Jesus Gomez 37-yard field goal, 6:03. Eagles 29–0. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:45. Fourth quarter EMU – Zyell Griffin 89-yard pass from Jeremiah Salem (Jesus Gomez kick) 11:20. Eagles 36–0. Drive: 6 plays, 94 yards, 3:28.

Statistics	SFPA	EMU
First downs	14	17
Total yards	154	327
Rushing yards	43	124
Passing yards	111	203
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	15-27-1	14-24-0
Time of possession	30:22	29:38

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Saint Francis	Passing	Adrian Mejia	15/27, 111 yards, INT
	Rushing	Adrian Mejia	17 carries, 20 yards
	Receiving	Jayden Ivory	3 receptions, 42 yards
Eastern Michigan	Passing	Jeremiah Salem	5/5, 102 yards, TD
	Rushing	Deion Brown	6 carries, 33 yards
	Receiving	Zyell Griffin	1 reception, 89 yards, TD

at Delaware State

See also: 2024 Delaware State Hornets football team

Game Five – Saint Francis Red Flash (1–3) vs Delaware State Hornets (1–4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Red Flash	0	0	0	0	0
Hornets	0	0	0	0	0

at Alumni Stadium, Dover, Delaware

• Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 PM

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SFPA	DSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Saint Francis	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Delaware State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Duquesne

See also: 2024 Duquesne Dukes football team

Game Six – Duquesne Dukes (3–2) at Saint Francis Red Flash (2–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Dukes	0	0	0	0	0
Red Flash	0	0	0	0	0

at DeGol Field • Loretto, PA

• Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
• Game time: 12:00 pm
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	DUQ	SFPA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Duquesne	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Saint Francis (PA)	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Wagner

See also: 2024 Wagner Seahawks football team

Game Seven – Saint Francis Red Flash (2–4) vs Wagner Seahawks (3–4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Red Flash	0	0	0	0	0
Seahawks	0	0	0	0	0

at Wagner College Stadium, Staten Island, New York

• Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
• Game time: 12:00 PM
• TV: NEC Front Row

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SHU	WAG
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Saint Francis (PA)	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Wagner	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Robert Morris

See also: 2024 Robert Morris Colonials football team

Game Eight – Saint Francis Red Flash (2–5) vs Robert Morris Colonials (4–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Red Flash	0	0	0	0	0
Colonials	0	0	0	0	0

at Joe Walton Stadium, Moon Township, Pennsylvania

• Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 PM
• TV: NEC Front Row

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SFPA	RMU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Saint Francis (PA)	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Robert Morris	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Stonehill

See also: 2024 Stonehill Skyhawks football team

Game Nine – Stonehill Skyhawks (1–6) at Saint Francis Red Flash (2–6) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Skyhawks	0	0	0	0	0
Red Flash	0	0	0	0	0

at DeGol Field • Loretto, PA

• Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
• Game time: 12:00 pm
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (NEC Front Row): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	STO	SFPA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Stonehill	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Saint Francis (PA)	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at LIU

See also: 2024 LIU Sharks football team

Game Ten – Saint Francis Red Flash (3–6) vs LIU Sharks (4–7) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Red Flash	0	0	0	0	0
Sharks	0	0	0	0	0

at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium • Brookville, New York

• Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
• Game time: 12:00 PM EST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (NEC Front Row): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SFPA	LIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Saint Francis (PA)	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
LIU	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Mercyhurst

See also: 2024 Mercyhurst Lakers football team

Game Eleven – Saint Francis Red Flash (0–0) vs Mercyhurst Lakers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Red Flash	0	0	0	0	0
Lakers	0	0	0	0	0

at Saxon Stadium • Erie, PA

• Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 PM EST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (NEC Front Row): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SFPA	MERC
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Saint Francis (PA)	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Mercyhurst	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

1. "2024 Saint Francis U Football Schedule". fbschedules.com. FBSchedules. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
2. "2024 Football Schedule". sfuathletics.com. Saint Francis Red Flash Athletics. Retrieved July 12, 2024.