CHICAGO, Ill.- The Lawrence Tech football team finally kicked off their season Saturday morning, in cold and windy Chicago taking on Saint Xavier University. The result was the Cougars upending the Blue Devils 31-21 Saturday morning.

Delays have hampered the Blue Devils slated initially to kick off their season 2 weeks prior. The Blue Devils ran into a roadblock once again when their opponent Madonna had to postpone this weekend's game due to COVID-19 protocols.  However, the Blue Devils were able to find an opponent in Saint Xavier who faced a similar situation with their weekend opponent.

St. Xavier scored first and tacked on the extra point off of an LTU turnover to take a 7-0 lead. It took 6 plays and 56 yards for the Blue Devils to tie the game on a 13-yard scramble by Quarterback Tyler Kulka on the next drive. Kulka finished with 9 carries for 43 yards. Kicker Avery Burch made the point after to tie the game at 7. Before the first ended, St. Xavier drove the field and scored on a 5-yard run to make it 14-7, SXU. St. Xavier tacked on a field goal and went into halftime with a 17-7 lead. 

The Blue Devils scored on their first possession of the second half with Wide Receiver Kendyl Williams catching an 8-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Kulka. The extra point was no good, making the score 17-13, St. Xavier. Along with the touchdown, Williams had 6 catches for 99 yards and also 57-yard reception. Kulka finished the day by throwing 18 of 35 for 269 yards along with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. 

Taking a 17-13 lead into the 4th quarter, St. Xavier scored two more touchdowns with both extra points made and extended the lead to 31-13. The Blue Devils did score one more touchdown with just over 2 minutes left in the game, with Matthew Ransome catching a 22-yard touchdown pass from Kulka. That would be the only catch for Ransome all day, and Kulka rushed for the 2 point conversion to make it a 31-21 St. Xavier lead. That score would stand to be the final as the Blue Devils fall to the 14th ranked St. Xavier University 31-21. 

Some standouts for the Blue Devils offense are Wide Receiver Terrell Cunningham, with 4 catches for 96 yards, and Running Back Ben Brittain, who had led the way on the ground with 14 carries for 63 yards. On Defense for LTU, Defensive Back Ryan Crowley led the way with 11 total tackles and a pass break-up. Linebacker Tommy Lappin had 9 total tackles, 1 sack, and 3 tackles for loss. Linebacker Mitch Waters also had a sack along with 5 total tackles. 

Looking ahead, the Blue Devils will prep for in-state rival #22 Siena Heights on Saturday afternoon in Adrian, Michigan. Kickoff is slated for Noon inside O'Laughlin Stadium.