Box Score JOLIET, Ill. - In the final game of the 2017 season the TIU Football team came up short on Saturday, dropping the MSFA matchup 55-30 to the St. Francis Saints.

In the early moments of the game neither side was able to get anything going offensively, with both sides trading punts on the opening three possessions.

The Saints were able to get on the board first 6 minutes into the first quarter when Aaron Ellis hit Lexus Jackson for a 24 yard touchdown pass. The ensuing two point conversion attempt was good giving USF the early 8-0 lead.

The Trojans quickly answered on their next possession when Isaac Branch broke free for a 47 yard TD run to make it an 8-6 game.

After the Branch touchdown run and three Trojan turnovers the Saints rattled off 23 unanswered points to give USF the lead 31-6. 

Trinity International cut into the defecit with another touchdown just before the halftime break when Jabial White ran in the score from eight yards out. The Trojan defense would make one more stop before the end of the half, with the scoreline 31-13 in favor of USF.

Early in the 3rd Quarter the Saints yet again found the scoreboard, this time a field goal from 26 yards out increased the lead to 34-13.

The Trojans answered quickly yet again, as three consecutive rushes of 15 yards or more set up Branch for yet another touchdown making it 34-21.

After a strong defensive effort from the Trojan defense, including multiple stops from Bradley Mowbray, the Trojans got the ball right back and found the scoreboard. After the drive stalled out inside the ten yard line Carter Andrade knocked through a field goal from 25 yards out to make it a 10 point game.

From that point on the Trojan offense continued to struggle hanging on to the ball as Trinity International turned the ball over three more times in the game. The combination of the turnovers and strong Saints offense led to three more touchdowns to make it 55-24.

Branch added another touchdown late in the 4th Quarter for his third of the day to make it 55-30, but that would be the end of the contest with the Saints handing the Trojans their second consecutive loss.

Defensively for TIU, Mauricio Portillo stood out for the Trojans registering 22 tackles in his final game as at TIU.

The Trojans finish the 2017 season with a record of 2-8 and 1-4 in the MSFA.