CHICAGO -- The Madonna University football program went on the road and took on No. 18 Saint Xavier University on Saturday afternoon. The host Cougars came away with the 31-7 victory. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

SXU began the game with the ball and scored just 45 seconds into the game. Stuart Ross completed a 60-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the game to Justin Pringle. Following the extra point, the Cougars led 7-0. 

The next two drives resulted in punts for both squads, as Darren Francis punted for Madonna and the Crusader defense forced a three-and-out on the second drive of the game for SXU.

After getting the ball back, Madonna's offense tried to get something going, but Josh DePaulis was picked off by the Cougar defense. The turnover resulted in SXU beginning their drive at the Madonna 19-yard line. From there Amari Venerable capitalized and scored from 19 yards out for the Cougars, making it 14-0 following the PAT. 

On the ensuing kickoff, SXU forced a fumble by Jakobe Marshall and took over at the Madonna 33. The Crusader defense was able to stand tall however and force a 38-yard field goal by Peyton Benes. The kick was good and SXU led 17-0 with under 8 minutes left in the opening quarter. 

SXU scored another touchdown in the first quarter when Ross completed a 79-yard pass to Pringle with 3:14 left. It was 24-0 after one.

After stopping the Crusaders on fourth down with 1:30 left in the first, Ross capped off a five play, 50-yard drive with a 29-yard touchdown toss to Brandt Hixson early in the second quarter. The Cougars took their 31-0 lead into the halftime break. Madonna had a chance to put points on the board in the first half with a 40-yard field goal, however the kick was blocked. 

Following the break, Madonna's defense played a strong second half by shutting out SXU. The Crusaders scored the final touchdown of the contest early in the third quarter, when Arthur Brantley threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Emerson Combs. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Brantley finished his day completing 5-of-10 passes for 73 yards and one touchdown toss. He also led the team in rushing with 13 carries for 96 yards. 
• Dalen Cobb ran 14 times for 41 yards. 
• D'Vonta Garrett caught four passes for 73 yards to lead the Madonna receiving core. 
• Dante Cardinali led the Crusader defense with nine total tackles, including two tackles-for-loss.  

UP NEXT:

Madonna opens MSFA Mideast League play by hosting the University of St. Francis (Ind.) next Saturday for homecoming. Kickoff is set for 2:00 PM at Livonia Churchill High School.

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