BEAVER FALLS, Pa. (Sept. 21)- The Saint Vincent football team was defeated 55-35 by Geneva in an offensive led game in their Presidents Athletic Conference opener.

In the high scoring affair, the Bearcats (1-2, 0-1 PAC) broke three single-game offensive records in the loss to the Golden Tornadoes (1-2, 1-0 PAC).

Wide receiver Chris Downs continued his impressive start to the season, recording a program record 279 yards, while also grabbing a program record four touchdowns as well. Downs breaks D.J. Oceant-Kelly's record of 174 yards, set in 2017 and Dalton Dietrich's record of three touchdown catches in a game set in 2016.

Downs' quarterback Jake Phillips also had a record breaking night for SVC. Phillips passed for a program record 485 yards, breaking Derek Stewart's previous record of 442 passing yards, set in 2016. Phillips also threw four touchdowns for Saint Vincent as well.

Tristan Doy had a big nigh for the Bearcats as well. Doy caught seven passes for 119 yards for SVC in the loss. 

Defensively, Nathan Parker recorded a team-high 11 tackles, including four solo tackles. Robbie Labuda added ten tackles, including seven solo tackles, while he also intercepted a pass. Devon Dean-Coles added an interception for the Bearcat defense as well.

After forcing a three and out on the opening drive, Saint Vincent took advantage on their first offensive possession of the game. It took the Bearcats just five plays to march 95 yards ending the drive with the first of four Phillips to Downs connections in the end zone. Phillips hit Downs in stride for a 63-yard score and Justin Emeigh tacked on the extra point to give the Bearcats a 7-0 lead.

Geneva answered with three touchdown drives in their next three possessions to take a 21-7 lead. Over those possessions, Geneva limited the Bearcats to zero red zone points in two trips.

With just over three minutes left in the half, Saint Vincent responded. Phillips connected with Downs for the second time on the night, this one a 56-yard touchdown. A successful PAT from Emeigh cut the lead to 21-14.

Geneva answered with another score, this one with 41 seconds remaining in the half as the Bearcats went into the break trailing by two scores at 20-14.

In the second half, the Bearcats continued to struggle with the Geneva offensive attack. Geneva opened their lead to 34-14 with a quick touchdown after stopping the Bearcats to open the half. SVC once again answered with Phillips finding Downs for the third time, this one a 65-yard touchdown that cut the lead to 34-21.

The GT's broke the game open with back-to-back scores that put them up 48-21. Late in the third quarter, the Bearcats punched in another score, this one a Matthew Davis one yard rush to make the score 48-28 going into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, both teams added one score. Phillips found Downs for the fourth time in the quarter, but it was too little too late as the Bearcats fell in the PAC opener.

Both teams totaled over 500 yards of total offense. SVC recorded 501 total yards, while Geneva gained over 629 yards of their own. 

Saint Vincent will look back into the win column next Saturday, September 27 as they play host to Hiram in a PAC matchup. Kick off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Chuck Noll Field. The game is also Saint Vincent's Hall of Fame game as they will induct their 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame class at halftime of the game.