Blue Knights Win Big in Home Opener Over USF
Gehlert throws for four scores; Hannah runs for two

By Torri Blanchard
Sports Information Intern
URBANA, Ohio (Sept 22, 2007) –The Blue Knights football team is currently 3-1 after defeating University of St. Francis, 45-13 in their home opener at Ellis Field today at noon. This is the first win for the Blue Knights over the Fighting Saints in their five meetings.

After a defensive stand by the Blue Knights on USF’s first drive, sophomore Jason Conner returned a punt for a 47-yard gain to the St. Francis five-yard line, giving Urbana excellent field position on its first possession.

The Blue Knights put the ball in the hands of junior captain Kirk Hannah who rushed for four yards leaving the Knights one yard short of a touchdown. Hannah capped off the scoring drive on a one-yard push up the middle, scoring UU’s first home touchdown of 2007. Freshman Jacob Harfman put the icing on the cake with a successful PAT, giving the Blue Knights a 7-0 lead. Hannah struck again at the 5:56 mark on a two-yard run to the end zone, giving Urbana momentum and a 14-6 lead at the conclusion of the first quarter.

The second period for the Blue Knights saw more of the same. After an eight-yard pass from senior quarterback Ryan Gehlert to sophomore wide receiver Ian Iler, Urbana increased their lead to 24-6. The Blue Knight defense came back to the field forcing the Saints to punt. Taking advantage of the Saints’ mishaps allowed junior Albert Floyd to score on a 12-yard pass from Gehlert, leaving the score at the end of the second quarter, 31-6.

After a scoreless second quarter, the Saint’s were able to reach the end zone on a 47-yard fumble recovery by Kevn Sanders making the score 31-13.

It was not long before the Blue Knights came fighting back. A Gehlert 27-yard pass to senior Barry Quinn improved the Urbana lead to 38-13 with just 4:54 left to play in the third quarter.

During the final quarter the Saints were unable to score and the Blue Knights were unstoppable. They sealed the win with a Gehlert seven-yard pass to sophomore Tim Watson, finalizing the score 45-13.

Gehlert finished the game with 23 pass completions for 324 yards and four touchdown passes. Gehlert hit nine different receivers in the win. Hannah ended the game with two touchdowns and 97 yards on 20 carries.

The Blue Knight defense had 11 sacks against USF. Shawn Lewis led the way with three sacks (-17 yards), four TFL (-18 yards) and eight tackles. Travis Brisco also had three sacks (-21 yards). Justin Stechenfinger added six tackles, including, 2 TFL (-10 yards). Frank Serra, Robert Delahanty, Emmanuel Butters, and Xavier Myers each also had a QB sack.

The Blue Knights will open MSFA play on Sept 29. when they play at Taylor University with a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Knights will return home for their homecoming game on Oct. 6 against Walsh University which has a 2 p.m. kickoff.

Coach Place Quotes:
It’s always good to play at home especially after being on the road for three consecutive games. It was great to have the community support and have the fans rally around us.

We have to eliminate mental penalties. It’s the small things that can make or break a game. You can’t be successful against teams like Walsh and St. Xavier when you make those mental mistakes. USF is a quality opponent and we just have to be sounder discipline-wise. We have to take care of the little things.

This was a good win for us but now we have to get ready for Taylor.

Our defense played hard and they were always going to the ball. Although we had some mental mistakes on offense we did score 45 points and anytime you can do that you had a pretty good day. It was just a great team win.

Captains: Shawn Lewis (defense) and Kirk Hannah (offense).

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