Donley Ties Win Mark With USF Victory

CLICK ON VIDEO TAB TO SEE WANE'S COVERAGE, PLUS EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS (CLIP 2) AND FULL INTERVIEWS WITH QB DAVID YODER (CLIP 3), RB ANTOIN CAMPBELL (CLIP 4) AND HEAD COACH KEVIN DONLEY (CLIP 5).

FORT WAYNE, IN. - Kevin Donley claimed his record-tying 256th career win on Saturday afternoon at Bishop D'Arcy Stadium, as Saint Francis rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat UW-Stevens Point 39-31. The win pulls him into a tie with longtime Pacific Lutheran head coach Frosty Westering for the most in NAIA football history.

The Cougars started fast thanks to a pair of touchdown receptions in the first quarter from preseason All-American wide receiver Austin Coleman. After 15 minutes of action - USF was on top 13-3.

Things quickly changed in the second quarter. UWSP put together its first drive ending in a touchdown, when Ethan Lockhart punched in a two yard score midway through the quarter. On the Cougars ensuing possession they were forced to punt, but the snap sailed into the USF endzone and was recovered by Joe Dax. Just over four minutes later, Lockhart capped another scoring drive with a 10-yard score, his second of the day. In the matter of just over five minutes, the Pointers had turned a 13-3 deficit into a 24-13 lead.

Saint Francis regained a bit of momentum just before the half when Antoin Campbell scored his fourth touchdown of the season on a two yard run.

When the third quarter began, USF sent David Yoder out to take the snaps. Afterwards, Kevin Donley stated that starting quarterback Josh Miller (8-14, 88 yards, 2 TDs) suffered a concussion in the second quarter that wasn't diagnosed until halftime. The Cougars didn't miss a beat under Yoder. The signal caller capped a nine-play, 52-yard drive in the third with a one-yard score to give USF a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

Kyle Mathewson scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in the fourth, before UWPS added a late touchdown with less than a minute to play.

The Cougars are in the midst of a three-game homestand that continues next Saturday when they welcome Saint Ambrose. With a win, Donley will become the winningest football coach in NAIA history.