TOWSON, Md. – The Towson University football scored the final 25 points of the game to erase an 18-point deficit to defeat Saint Francis, 35-28, Saturday night in the home opener inside Johnny Unitas® Stadium.
 
How It Happened

• The turning point of the game may have happened in the final seconds of the second quarter.  Trailing 28-10 with 14 seconds left, Ellis Knudson hit Christian Summers down the right sideline for a 54-yard gain.
• Freshman Aidan O'Neill trotted on the field and kicked a 29-yard field goal as the half expired.
• The Tigers (1-1) used that momentum as they took the second-half kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown.  The 13-play drive was capped by the 36^th career rushing touchdown by Darius Victor.
• After the Tigers defense forced a punt, the Red Flash (0-2) downed the ball at the one yard line.
• Towson started the drive with a five yard run from Victor.
• On the next play, Knudson threw a quick pass out to Summers in the flat.  Summers made a defender miss and outran everybody down the sidelines for a 94-yard touchdown.  The play is the second longest pass play in school history.
• The Tiger defense would force two-straight three-and-outs to end the third quarter.
• SFU put together a drive early in the fourth quarter that saw them drive deep into Tiger territory.  A holding call on 1^st-and-goal was followed by a sack.
• The Red Flash lined up for a 30-yard field goal, but D'Sean Cummings got a strong push up the middle and blocked the kick. 
• The Tigers were unable to capitalize on offense, but Jake Ryder booted a 54-yard punt to pin SFU at its own 19.
• Linebacker Bryton Barr came up with a big sack that forced a fumble.  The Red Flash recovered, but were forced to punt from their own endzone.
• The Tigers took over at the SFU 43, and wasted little time.
• On the first play, Knudson hit Summers on a go route where Summers went full extension for the 43-yard touchdown with 2:30 remaining to give the Tigers their first lead of the game.
• On the next possession, redshirt freshman Keon Paye sealed the victory with his first career interception.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Christian Summers finished the game with six catches for 232 yards and two touchdowns.  The 232 receiving yards were the fifth most in Towson history.  It is also the most receiving yards since Andrae Brown had 222 yards against Northeastern in 1995.
• The 94-yard TD reception is the second longest passing play in school history.  It trails only Dan Crowley to Shawn Ward's 95-yard scoring strike against Kutztown in 1994.
• Ellis Knudson threw for 301 yards on just 10 completions.  It was the first 300-yard passing performance for a Tiger QB since Peter Athens threw for 301 yards against Fordham in the opening round of the 2013 playoffs.
• The 10 completions were the fewest in a 300-yard passing game.  The previous mark was 13 set by Athens against Fordham.
• Darius Victor rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.  He now has 3,095 yards in his career, passing Tony Vinson for third on the all-time rushing list. 

 
Up Next
The Tigers travel to Villanova Sept. 17 for the CAA opener.  Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet.