LORETTO, Pa. (Aug. 24, 2011) – The Saint Francis University football held its media day Wednesday with head coach Chris Villarrial and five student-athletes meeting with members of the media and Saint Francis fans at the JFK Student Center.

Season Preview
OVERVIEW
Saint Francis struggled in its first season under head coach Chris Villarrial posting a mark of 1-7 in conference play. The Red Flash's sole victory came in impressive fashion as they bested Sacred Heart 41-0 in the most lopsided win for SFU in almost 40 years. Despite the one win Saint Francis put together solid efforts against Morehead State, Wagner, then-No. 22 California Poly and 2010 NEC Co-Champion Central Connecticut State falling by 10 or fewer points in all of those games.

In 2011, Villarrial returns 59 letterwinners and adds more than 60 newcomers to the roster. In addition to his large freshman class, the Red Flash welcome transfers like Keion Wade (East Orange, N.J./East Orange), Corey Nielson from the University of Hawaii and A.J. Alexander (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area) from Florida State. The biggest hole Saint Francis will need to fill will be on the defensive side of the ball. They lose Matthew Parker (Darlington, PA/Blackhawk), who posted the fourth-most tackles in Northeast Conference history, and Scott Lewis (South Fork, PA/Bishop McCourt), who ranked second on the team in tackles, tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with 13.5 and led the team in sacks with seven a season ago and sit as the NEC all-time leading tackler.

OFFENSE
The Red Flash offense looks much improved from the squad that averaged just 16.1 points pergame a season ago. Saint Francis' top passer in 2010, John Kelly (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) returns for his junior campaign after throwing for 1,314 years a season ago with 12 touchdowns. Kelly also showed mobility rushing for 217 yards and an additional score. The native of Frederick, Md. enters the 2011 season ranked fifth in the SFU record book in pass attempts and pass completions, while also sitting fourth in Flash history in career touchdown passes. Hawaii transfer Corey Nielson has pushed Kelly in camp. Nielson comes to the Red Flash after spending two seasons at Hawaii. During his high school career, Nielson totaled the 13th-most touchdown passes all-time in the state of California. However a solid camp performance has Stanley Gensiak second on the depth chart.

In the backfield, the Red Flash feature a stable of talented backs but it all starts with Kyle Harbridge (Easton, Pa./Easton Area). The junior running back posted the third-best kickoff return average in school history in 2010, while leading the team in rushing yards with 630 and ranking third on the team in receiving years with 168. The Easton, Pa. native ranked second on team in scoring, finding the endzone five times with three on the ground, one through the air and one on a kickoff return. Harbridge earned preseason first-team all-conference honors from PhilSteele.com and looks to be a huge weapon for SFU in 2011. Taylor Holby (Nanty-Glo, Pa./Blacklick Valley) currently sits second behind Harbridge on the depth chart. At the fullback position Daniel Conley has stepped into a leadership role and looks in shape for his senior season. Junior college transfer Keion Wade (East Orange, N.J./East Orange) keeps making it harder for the coaching staff to keep him off the field and currently sit as the second fullback.

At wide receiver the Red Flash feature Anthony Howze (Upper Marlboro, Md./Riverdale Baptist), who ranked second on the team a season ago in receptions and yards. The senior wide out averaged 9.3 yards per catch in 2011 but did not find the endzone. Howze will be joined in the starting lineup by Florida State transfer A.J. Alexander (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area). The Altoona, Pa. native brings topflight speed to the Saint Francis roster after spending two seasons with the Seminoles. Dane Domonkos (Windber, Pa./Bishop McCort) fills the roll of slot receiver for the Red Flash along with Ryan LaDuke (Greensburg, Pa./Greater Latrobe), to give Red Flash quarterbacks plenty of options. Jeff Wasilewski (Ebensburg, Pa. / Central Cambria) has impressed in camp with some diving grabs and looks to expand his role in 2011.

Kevin Parker (Monessen, Pa./Monessen) will show his diversity seeing time at both tight end and fullback and currently ranks first on the team's depth chart at tight end. Look for the Red Flash to be much more physical at the tight end position. Senior Ryan Zarnich (Rochester, Pa./Rochester Area) at 6-4 273 can at times look like another tackle. Dan Buzas (Erie, Pa./Erie Cathedral Prep)' large frame at 6-1 226 makes him a great second option at tight end and the two experienced players join freshman Jakob King (York, Pa./Red Lion Area) and Erik Welteroth (Westover, Pa./Harmony).

The offensive line stands as a key for SFU in 2011 and will be led by senior tackle Jordan Kelly (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Seton-La Salle Regional), who earned second-team All-NEC honors from PhilSteele.com. Lloyd Hill (Steelton, Pa./Steelton-Highspire) anchors the inside of the Saint Francis line and at 400 pounds should be key in run blocking situations. William Houston (Easton, Pa./Wyoming Seminary Prep), Brandon Bunting (Champion, Pa./Mount Pleasant Area), Thurston Kino (Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou) and Jake Smith (Galena, Ohio / St. Francis DeSales) are all in the mix with senior Bill Hall.

DEFENSE
The Red Flash return a core of young players to its defense in 2011 including eight of the team's top 15 tacklers from a season ago. Jakob DeMedal leads the group and is the team's top returning tackler from 2010 and the co-leader in interceptions from a season ago. Luke McConnell (Westminister, Colo./Bishop Guilfoyle) posted two interceptions in 2010 and returns for his senior campaign and along with T.J. Armstead, who provides senior leadership in the secondary. Alford Thompson (Washington, D.C./Our Lady of Good Counsel) has also posted solid work in camp at the defensive back position and should see solid time for the Flash.

The defensive line will see a great deal of rotation as SFU boasts a solid amount of depth. Sophomore Matthew Lewis (Cogan Station, Pa./Williamsport) looks to build on an excellent freshman campaign. Robert Smith (Carteret, N.J./Carteret) adds veteran leadership to the defense in his junior season.

This season the linebackers will need to replace two of the top backers in school and conference history. Ryan Veights will look to step up in his sophomore season. Anthony Bowman (Damascus, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) will be another sophomore backer looking to step up in 2011.

SPECIAL TEAMS
For the special teams units, the Red Flash return place kicker Josh Thiel (Leesburg, Va./Heritage) and punter Andrew Penksa (Johnstown, Pa./Bishop McCort). Thiel went 21-of-22 a season ago on extra points while also posting a mark of 2-of-5 on field goals. In attempts less than 30 yards, Thiel was 2-of-3. Penksa averaged 37.8 yards per punt a season ago with six touchbacks and 13 punts inside the 20-yard line. Penksa posted a season long put of 64-yards and also forced opposing teams into 10 fair catches. Kevin Wood (Butler, Pa./Knoch) has also posted solid kicks in camp.

SCHEDULE
The Red Flash open the season Sept. 3 with a trip to Staten Island N.Y. to take on Wagner who used nine fourth quarter points a season ago to sneak past SFU and claim a 22-14 win. Saint Francis continues its season opening road trip with a plane journey to Fargo, N.D. for the first ever meeting between SFU and North Dakota State.

The home schedule opens Sept. 17 as Morehead State comes to Loretto with SFU eyeing revenge for 31-21 defeat the Eagles handed the Red Flash a season ago. Duquesne comes to DeGol Field Sept. 24 for the Red Flashes' second ever night game. The Red Flash and Dukes have split the last two meetings between the schools with SFU defeating Duquesne in 2009 in the first ever night game at DeGol Field.

Albany concludes a three-game home stand Oct. 1 on Family Weekend. SFU heads to Pittsburgh to take on the Robert Morris in the first ever night game at Joe Walton Stadium. In 2010, the Colonials needed 21 fourth quarter points to escape a Saint Francis upset bid.

Saint Francis travels to Sacred Heart Oct. 8, who will be looking to prove something against the Flash, who knock-offed the Pioneers 41-0 a season ago in Loretto. SFU concludes its three-game road swing Oct. 22 with a non-conference bid against Youngstown State. It will be the first meeting between the Penguins and Flash since 1953.

The Red Flash return home Oct. 29 to take on 2010 NEC co-Champion Central Connecticut State. Last season, Saint Francis nearly denied the Blue Devils a share of the conference crown, but the Flashs' 13 fourth quarter points were not enough to upend CCSU. SFU holds it annual homecoming game Nov. 5 against Monmouth on the team's Senior Day.

The 2011 regular season concludes Nov. 12 with SFU hitting the road to Smithfield, R.I. to take on Bryant. The Bulldogs knocked off the Red Flash a season ago in Loretto on Senior Day 48-10.

For the second consecutive season the regular season champion of the Northeast Conference will earn a trip to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs.