Red-Zone Struggles Spoil Taylor’s Upset Bid Against No. 13 USF

by | Nov 10, 2019 | Football Blogs, Headlines, RRSN News | 0 comments

Red-Zone Struggles Spoil Taylor’s Upset Bid Against No. 13 USF

 

UPLAND, Ind. – Taylor had no trouble moving the ball down the field against No. 13 Saint Francis on Saturday and controlled the action over the majority of the contest but earned points on just one-of-six trips into the red zone in a 27-14 loss to the visiting Cougars.

 

The Trojans reached or surpassed the USF (7-2, 4-2 MSFA) 21-yard line on eight-of-nine drives in the game but managed only 14 points due to two drives ending with missed field goals and four others ending on failed fourth-down conversions.

 

Taylor scored touchdowns on its final possessions of each half, getting a three-yard rush from Zac Saltzgaber to draw within 21-7 late in the second quarter and later cutting the margin to its final spread of 27-14 with a 43-yard catch and run from Saltzgaber to Logan Benson with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

 

The Trojans had to dig out of an early deficit and trailed throughout after the Cougars scored twice in the first 4:36 of action to take a 14-0 lead before TU had touched the ball. USF struck for a 42-yard passing touchdown on its first drive, before recovering an on-side kick and then completing a 39-yard touchdown reception for the quick two-score lead.

 

Taylor outplayed Saint Francis from there, running 36 more plays than USF and out-gaining the guests by a 387 to 339 gap, while holding a 36:58 to 18:16 spread in time of possession.

 

Those stats were not reflected on the scoreboard however, as TU’s failures to convert deep into USF territory throughout the game kept the Trojans from mounting a serious comeback bid.

 

Taylor ended the game with one of its best offensive performances of the season, picking up its 387 total yards on 79 plays, with 148 yards on the ground, 239 through the air and 24 first downs.

 

Trey Burdine fueled the offense by matching a career-high with seven receptions for a personal-best 105 yards. Ty Bezek also posted a career-high with four catches and Preston Scott logged 48 yards on three receptions.

 

Drew LeFever did the heavy lifting once again in TU’s ground game, taking 23 carries for 83 yards, while Saltzgaber threw for 239 yards and rushed for 31.

 

Jordan Jackson and Major Dailey each posted six stops to top the Taylor defense, while Jackson Bronkema and Mark Baker each had one sack.

 

Taylor (2-7, 0-5 MSFA) will close its 2019 campaign on November 16, when it hosts Lawrence Tech (1-8, 0-5 MSFA) at 1:00 pm. TU will honor its senior class prior to the start of the game.

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