FB Drops Program Opener
0
Madonna MAD 0-1
45
Winner Taylor TU 1-2
Madonna MAD
0-1
0
Final
45
Taylor TU
1-2
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
MAD Madonna 0 0 0 0 0
TU Taylor 10 21 14 0 45

Game Recap: Football | | David Gibson

Crusaders Handed Loss in Program's First Game

THE BASICS

Score: Madonna University 0, Taylor University 45
Records: Madonna (0-1, 0-1 MSFA), Taylor (1-2, 0-0 MSFA)
Location: Turner Field, Upland, Ind.

UPLAND, Ind. -  The Madonna University Football team traversed to Upland, Indiana on the campus of Taylor University (Ind.) for the program's first-ever game on Saturday afternoon to be handed a 45-0 loss at the hands of the Trojans.



With sophomore D'Vonta Garrett awaiting possession, Madonna was handed the ball first as the opening kickoff went out-of-bounds. The Crusaders' first drive of a promising campaign started off with four and one-yard rushes by freshman Christian Gaiera to get things started for the Crusaders.

Taylor took over possession at the 12:15 mark in the first quarter, driving the ball fifty yards for a score and a 7-0 lead early in the game. Gaiera responded by ripping off a 20-yard rush for the program's first-ever first down before the Trojans found themselves with the ball once more after a Madonna interception pass. 



The Trojans went on to compile a 31-0 lead going into the locker rooms, though a bright spot in the second quarter saw Madonna's freshman Jesse Morris steal the loose ball away from a Taylor muffed punt for the program's first takeaway. 



In the second half, the Trojans continued the shutout en route to handing Madonna the 45-0 loss. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
  • Garrett was the team's leader in all-purpose yards with 78, Gaiera in second with 38
  • Three Crusader quarterbacks entered the game at one point. Freshman Brady Gleeson, freshman Josh DePaulis, and sophomore Luke Pfromm combined for 30 passing yards in 16 attempts
  • On the defensive end, freshman Carl Ware led the team in total tackles with 10, seven of which were solo takedowns. Freshman Kyler Bosak was second on the team with eight
  • Three Crusaders recorded pass break ups in Morris, Garrett, and freshman Angelo Scafone each with one
UP NEXT
  • The Crusaders will head to Adrian, Michigan on Saturday, March 20 to do battle with No.22 Siena Heights University (Mich.) for a noon kick. 
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