Wild Senior Day Tilt at Turner Favors USF in Closing Moments

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UPLAND, Ind. – In a game that featured over 150 plays from scrimmage, 75 points, 884 total yards of offense and nine turnovers, it was the ninth turnover on the final of 153 plays that sealed a 44-31 win for visiting Saint Francis (6-4, 5-2 MSFA) over Taylor on its Senior Day inside Turner Stadium.

The Trojans celebrated 14 seniors before the game and then persevered through a pair of extended rallies from the Cougars, including a 21-0 first-half burst and a 17-0 second-half surge to keep the game's outcome undecided until the final snap.

Long touchdown plays from Ja Thomas snapped both Saint Francis streaks and injected life back into the Trojan attack, but TU's last effort to force overtime slipped away on a strip-sack and fumble that was returned 76 yards for a USF touchdown as time expired.

The play brought an end to Taylor's most balanced offensive showing of the season, as TU rushed and passed for over 200 yards for the first time on the season and ended the game with 456 total yards of offense. The performance marked TU's fourth game of the year with at least 200 yards on the ground and its first with over 200 through the air.

Thomas was in the middle of the action throughout action, leading the Trojan offense with 12 carries for 101 yards and one touchdown, while adding two catches for 90 yards and one score. Thomas used a 65-yard touchdown sprint and a 79-yard touchdown reception to showcase his playmaking capabilities.

Brendan Lamb closed his career with a vintage performance, posting season-bests out of the backfield of 85 yards on 17 carries. The senior's touchdown early in the third quarter gave TU a 24-21 lead.

Damon Hockett also had a busy day, completing 10 passes for 199 yards and one score, while rushing nine times and adding a rushing touchdown.

The TU defense also had several individual standout efforts, highlighted by 14 tackles from Jacob Hockett and nine each from Aven Jones, Reid Wheeler and Jeremiah Mansfield. Mansfield and Braxton Green also registered one sack, with Levi Brown and David Worlds each collecting one interception.

Taylor closed the 2023 season at 2-9 overall, with a 1-6 mark in MSFA Mideast League play. TU will graduate 14 seniors from the program, including 10 student-athletes, two student assistants and two student managers.