St. Francis Pulls Off Historic Upset Over Kent State, 23-17
In a game that will go down as one of the biggest upsets in St. Francis football history, the Red Flash defeated FBS opponent Kent State, 23-17, marking the program’s first-ever win against an FBS team. Led by first-time starting quarterback Jeff Hoenstine and clutch kicking from Mac Plummer, the Red Flash showcased a dominant performance that signals their strong intentions for the 2024 season.
St. Francis wasted no time putting pressure on the Golden Flashes. The scoring started with a career-long 50-yard field goal by kicker Mac Plummer with 9:53 left in the first quarter. Shortly after, Hoenstine capped off a 5-play, 41-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, putting the Red Flash up 10-0.
In the second quarter, Hoenstine connected with Gavin Thomson for a 64-yard touchdown strike, further extending the lead to 17-0. Kent State responded with a touchdown pass from Tommy Ulatowski to Chrishon McCray, but St. Francis answered back with another field goal by Plummer from 33 yards, making the score 20-7. Kent State added a quick touchdown before halftime to close the gap to 20-14.
The Red Flash opened the second half with another field goal from Plummer, this time from 46 yards out, bringing the lead to 23-14. Despite mounting pressure from Kent State in the final quarter, St. Francis' defense held strong. A late 44-yard field goal by Andrew Glass brought the Golden Flashes within six points, but the Red Flash’s defense made critical stops to secure the victory.
Making his first career start, quarterback Jeff Hoenstine showed poise under pressure, completing 11 of 22 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 50 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown. His connection with Gavin Thomson, who finished with 5 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown, was crucial in opening up the game early.
Kicker Mac Plummer was perfect on the day, converting all three of his field goals, including a career-long 50-yarder, and adding two extra points. His 11 total points provided the difference in a close game, and his ability to stay composed under pressure gave the Red Flash the edge they needed.
The Red Flash defense was relentless, holding Kent State to just 78 rushing yards on 26 attempts (3.0 yards per carry). Fran Brown Jr. led the team with 9 tackles, while Pierre Royster and Mercury Swaim added 8 and 7 tackles, respectively. Trey McLeer also secured a critical interception in the end zone, keeping Kent State at bay in the second half.
This victory over Kent State marks a significant milestone for St. Francis, who are aiming to recapture the NEC crown after winning it in 2022. With a performance like this, the Red Flash are solidifying themselves as a top contender in 2024, looking to reclaim the title after Duquesne won the conference last season.
St. Francis will look to carry this momentum into the rest of their schedule, as they prepare for their next challenge with confidence and determination.
