DC's halftime lead reversed by Cougars' big second half

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Following a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter, the Defiance Yellow Jackets suffered a 64-36 loss to the Saint Francis Cougars at Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium on Saturday night.

The Yellow Jackets (0-2) capitalized on a pair of early turnovers to set up scoring drives in the first quarter, which ended on touchdown passes from Jehlani Warren to Mar'Kel Wade from 10 yards and brother Jalen Warren from 51 yards out. Following another stalled drive by the Cougars (1-1), Cameron Turner scored his first touchdown of the season from 1-yard out to give Defiance a three-touchdown lead.

Saint Francis went on to score 42 straight points, including a pair of scores before halftime. The Cougars had the football eight times in the second and scored on five of them but also added a pair of defensive scores. However, the scales did not tip heavily until the fourth quarter when the Cougars poured in 37 points after a 27-21 score took the teams into the final stanza.

THE TURNING POINT
The football game had two moments that flipped the script. First, Saint Francis took a bite out of Defiance's early lead with two big plays in the middle of the second quarter. The Cougars answered DC's third score with a 43-yard pass play scored by O'Vauntay Vickers. After forcing the Jackets to a 3-and-out, the Cougars capped an eight-play possession with a 30-yard connection from quarterback Joshua Kulka to Adam Smith. Saint Francis tied the game with another big play on the second snap after halftime when Aidan Ewers picked off Warren and returned the interception for a 35-yard score. The Cougars cashed in on the go-ahead score on their next possession on a 1-yard rush by Smith.

Trailing 35-21 in the fourth, Defiance's second of three turnovers opened the door for Saint Francis to pull away. Just one play after a fumble by the quarterback Warren, Kulka found McCall Ray for a 42-yard pass to put the Cougars ahead by 21. After Defiance answered with a touchdown, the Cougars went 2-for-1 with another Kulka touchdown pass followed by an interception by DC's backup quarterback Michale Wingfield that was the second pick-6 allowed by the Jackets on the night.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Defiance offense showed familiar firepower from last season with a retooled cast. DC churned out 549 yards with 412 through the air. It was the most passing yards in a game since throwing for 352 at Otterbein on September 8, 2007.
• Despite a turnover-free contest at Concordia to start the season, the Yellow Jackets turned up even once again the turnover margin by forcing three and turning the ball over three times.
• Jehlani Warren completed 16-of-33 attempts for 331 yards, three scores and a pick. He also ran for 102 yards to give DC another 300-yard passing, 100-yard rushing performance after Jordan Ambrose gave DC one a year ago.
• Jalen Warren had a huge night with a career-best 145 yards receiving on five catches.
• Tawann Rome also shined in the passing game with four grabs for 86 yards, including a 49-yard catch that set up his 10-yard scoring reception in the fourth quarter.
• Cooper Sloan had the bulk of the running back touches with seven for 19 yards. Cameron Turner, who also caught a touchdown from Michale Wingfield, carried the ball five times while quarterbacks combined for 23 rushes.
• Coty Johnson II led the team on defense with 10 tackles and a forced fumble on a Saint Francis punt return.
• Jerry Addo-Boateng helped DC's early momentum with an interception near the goal line during the first quarter and also added three more pass breakups. The junior transfer also completed seven tackles.

UP NEXT
Defiance holds its home opener next Saturday at Justin F. Coressel Stadium. The Yellow Jackets host the Judson Eagles at 1 p.m.

-JACKETS-