In a thrilling match on Saturday, St. Francis University (Pennsylvania) edged out Long Island University 34-27, thanks to a pivotal 19-yard touchdown run by DeMarcus McElroy late in the fourth quarter.

The game came down to a tense final moment, as Long Island found themselves on a third-and-10 play at the St. Francis 15-yard line with just 11 seconds remaining. Unfortunately for the Sharks, a low shotgun snap disrupted the play, leading to a sack of quarterback Ethan Greenwood that ended the game as time expired.

Nick Whitfield Jr. had a solid outing for the Red Flash, completing 17 of 29 passes for an impressive 268 yards along with two touchdown passes. Markell Holman contributed significantly on the ground, racking up 73 rushing yards and scoring one touchdown. Additionally, Gavin Thomson was a standout receiver, accumulating 103 yards and a touchdown reception.

On the other side, Long Island’s quarterbacks faced considerable pressure, as Greenwood and Luca Stanzani were sacked a total of eight times throughout the contest. Greenwood managed to throw for 141 yards and added 66 rushing yards, while Stanzani contributed with two rushing touchdowns. The Sharks also saw a highlight when Michael Love returned a kickoff for 96 yards for a touchdown in the first half, showcasing the team’s explosive potential despite the loss.

This victory brings St. Francis’s record to 4-6, with a 2-4 standing in the Northeast Conference. Meanwhile, Long Island concludes the game with a 3-8 record and a 2-3 mark in conference play.