#19 Saint Francis 13, #21 Evangel (Mo.) 12

#19 Saint Francis 13, #21 Evangel (Mo.) 12
 
The visitors would open a ten-point lead over No. 19 Saint Francis, but the Cougars rallied in the second half, defeating No. 21 Evangel (Mo.) in the first round of the 2025 NAIA Football Championship Series, 13-12.
Evangel would strike first late in the first quarter with a 51-yard touchdown drive, and added a field goal midway through the second for a 10-0 advantage. In the final seconds of the second quarter, the Cougars got on the board when Joshua Kulka found Brennan Stow in the end zone, making it a 10-7 lead for the Valor at the break.
Saint Francis would tie the game on their first drive of the third quarter, as Austin Deleon converted a 37-yard field goal.
Later in the third, the Cougars would get pinned deep in their own territory, leading to a safety that put Evangel back on top, 12-10.
Both defenses would get stops throughout the fourth quarter, until Deleon put the Cougars back on top following a 14-play, 67-yard drive with a 20-yard field goal. Evangel would reach field goal range in their final possession, but a last-second attempt at a potential game-winner was missed, and the Cougars held on for the win.
Kulka would finish with 118 passing yards and a TD in the win, while Drew Wheat led the Cougars with 55 rushing yards on 12 carries. Adjaye Dandridge made five catches for 57 yards to lead the USF receivers.
Defensively, Jaydin Evans led Saint Francis with ten tackles, including a tackle and a half for loss. Nate Johnson finished with seven tackles and sack, while A.J. Moore recovered a fumble and made five stops.