Saturday, September 18, 2004

Loretto, PA - Anthony Doria completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Luke Palko with two seconds left in the fourth quarter as Saint Francis (PA) defeated Valpo 17-13. Kevin Knutson caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from Joe Milazzo and Saladine Washington ran for a 1-yard score for Valpo (2-2).

Saint Francis (2-1) came back from a 13-3 deficit in the final 6:26 of the fourth quarter. Following Washington's score for the Crusaders with 13:03 left, the teams traded possessions before the Red Flash engineered a seven-play, 85-yard drive, culminating in Doria's 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kevin McCray with 6:26 remaining to trim Valpo's lead to 13-10.

After Saint Francis forced a Valpo punt and began its game-winning drive with 4:35 left, Doria completed 7 of 13 passes during the 16-play, 78-yard drive. The touchdown pass to Palko was set up by a pass interference penalty in the end zone against Valpo with nine seconds left. Valpo stuffed a rush attempt by Todd Harris at the 1-yard-line before Doria connected with Palko on second down.

Jeff Horton led Valpo in rushing with 69 yards on 15 carries. Milazzo completed 15 of 31 passes for 266 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions.

Knutson caught a team-high five passes for 119 yards. The senior wide receiver scored his touchdown after catching a 10-yard pass from Milazzo and racing 51 yards down the right sideline. The score in the second quarter gave the Crusaders a 6-3 lead which they still held entering the fourth quarter.

Horton made four receptions for 57 yards and Rob Giancola caught three passes for 52 yards.

Saint Francis running back Ricky Taylor led all rushers with 144 yards on 16 carries. Doria completed 26 of 50 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Caputo led the Red Flash with nine receptions for 99 yards and Palko added seven for 40 yards.

Valpo finished with 266 passing yards and 69 rushing yards, while Saint Francis totaled 255 passing yards and 202 yards on the ground.

Valpo hosts Jacksonville on Saturday (Sept. 25) beginning at noon.