LIVONIA, Mich.-- The Madonna University Football program is set to open the 2021 season at Blue Devils Stadium in Southfield, Michigan on the campus of Lawrence Technological University (Mich.) for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff in the Crusaders' first-ever Mid States Football Association game.


GAME INFORMATION

Versus: at Lawrence Tech
Time: 7:00p
Stadium: Blue Devils Stadium
Location: Southfield, Michigan
 
This is the first meeting between the two de facto rival schools fighting for the I-96 County Line Classic Trophy, a trophy featuring the two respective helmets of each program with a base that will be placard with the winner and scores of future matchups. 

Located around 13 miles away from each other, the two schools went 7-4 in head-to-head matchups last season in other respective sports. 
 
The Blue Devils scored four touchdowns through two games in the spring season, a 31-21 loss at Saint Xavier (Ill.) and a 44-7 loss to Siena Heights University (Mich.) after going 1-9 in 2019. LTU's program is in its just fourth season, starting the program up in 2018 and joining the Mid-States Football Association in 2019. 

Lawrence Tech's home schedule includes an MSFA Cross-League matchup against St. Ambrose University (Iowa) and its Mideast League games versus Siena Heights University (Mich.) and No. 6 Concordia University Ann Arbor. Non-conference games against Bluefield State University (W.V.) and Kentucky Christian University will follow the Crusaders-Blue Devils dual.
 
Luke Pfromm has been named starting quarterback for Madonna after going six of 19 for 70 yards in the spring. Max Morris will be his backup with 11 of 16 passes for 47 yards and the Crusaders' solo passing TD last time out.

The man behind the QB will be Jalen Crawford at running back. Crawford gained 50 net yards last season on 12 attempts in three games played. He will be reinforced by Mike Mathias at the second-string position.

Madonna has loaded up on talent, speed, and leadership with the receiving corp. D'Vonta Garrett will swap ends of the ball from cornerback to join Nick Hastings and Santino Franklin as first-string receivers. Hastings caught three passes a few months ago for 88 yards and a single touchdown. Backing these three up will be Kaz'mer Bell, Novell Chestnut, and Xavier Ricks. 

The five linemen of Madonna's front equate to 1495lbs between them for an average of 299 pounds. This group has a mixture of experience, freshness, and leadership by Darnell Ishman at the right tackle position next to Josh Huffman. Luke Crocker, a freshman who has shown a lot of promise, will be at the center spot beside Caleb Baker and Tyler Kendrick on the left side.
 
A stout, three-man line will do battle in the trenches with Micah Gibbs, Quinshawn Clincy, and Jalen Whiteside who pack speed and size (300lb average) with each snap. These three are new to the Madonna roster while experienced players like Bobby Martin, who recorded three tackles last season will fortify the line by rotating in with Gideon Craig and  Belal Baydoun. 

Four linebackers will be utilized against the Blue Devils' attack with Alex Hunt and Jacob Price on the outside with Zack Bluemer and Jakel Davis on the inside. Davis tallied 12 solo tackles last season while Hunt recorded two, Bluemer took eight, and Price solo'd three. All-in-all, this is the most experienced part of the Crusaders' defense. 

Cortland Cochran and Julius Adams will be at the cornerback position in the secondary with Ryan Timani and Paul McCleod backing them up. Dalen Cobb, who led the defense last year in total and solo tackles with 20 and 15, will be opposite Jesse Morris who recorded three solo tackles in the spring.
 
Saturday's game will be streamed live via the Lawrence Tech Sports Network. Live stats can be found here. Follow along with the official Madonna Football Twitter Account and use hashtag #CrusaderNation to join the conversation.
 
Saturday, September 4 at 12:30 p.m. will be Madonna's first-ever home game in its football program's history. Season tickets are available for the 2021 season for $45 for the five home games. For single games the prices are $10 for general, adult admission while it'll be $5 for youth and visiting students (Student ID Required). Children under the ages of six are free. 
The September 4 game against Trinity International University (Ill.) will be a blue out. Fans and parents are encouraged to wear blue Madonna gear for the game.

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