QUINCY, Ill. - The Madonna University Football Team (0-1) hit the road for their first away game of the season, heading down to the Missouri-Illinois border to face the Quincy University (Ill.) Hawks (0-1). Unable to get the ball moving early, the Crusaders found themselves down, losing 89-0 against the NCAA Division II team.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Despite some glimpses of hope as the Crusaders managed to break off some big plays early in the game, costly miscues and turnovers led to them giving up great field position multiple times. Unfortunately for the Crusaders, their starting quarterback Arthur Brantley would go down early in the game due to a lingering injury sustained during their Week One matchup against Olivet Nazarene. With Brantley out, the Crusader offense couldn't seem to find their rhythm, unable to cross the goal line in this outing.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Crusaders showed that they can run with the best of them. Senior defensive end Bobby Martin recorded two solo tackles for loss. Freshman Michael Momoh recorded his first career sack, and sophomore Ja'Marcus Glenn recorded an interception en route for the Crusaders to only give up 14 points in the second half. As a team with many young faces in their secondary, by the end of the game they appeared incredibly confident, playing together as a unit. Wide receiver Adam Sabbagh also proved himself on special teams in addition to starting at wide out, forcing a Hawks fumble on a Crusader punt.

Sophomore punter Darren Francis put on display the work he's put in this offseason, as he averaged 47.4 yards per punt, and beat his career long by 24 yards with a booming 75 yard punt. Compared to his freshman year average of 30.5 yards per punt, Francis is already averaging 43.1 per punt on the season. With five punts landing inside Quincy's 20 yard line, Francis proved himself pivotal in the Crusaders' battle for good field position. On top of his impressive leg, Francis proved his physicality by taking every opportunity to make a tackle on both punt and kickoff.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Brantley led the Crusaders in passing with 41 yards before leaving the game during the second quarter.
• Martin led the team in tackles with four solo including two tackles for loss.
• Francis had a career game, averaging 47.4 yards per punt with a long of 75 yards and pinned five punts within the 20 yard line.

UP NEXT:

The Madonna University Crusaders return home to face the Roosevelt University Lakers (1-1) on September 16th in Livonia, Michigan at 1:00 pm.