St. Joseph Football Sends a Message with Decisive Win Over DePaul

Saturday night at St. Joseph’s home field turned into a one‑way street for the Hilltoppers. From the opening kickoff, you could feel the buzz – fans cheering, coaches nodding, and the crowd already half‑expecting a blowout.

When the ball finally snapped, the Hilltoppers didn’t waste a second. Quarterback Liam O’Connor threaded a crisp 12‑yard pass to wide‑out Malik Hernandez, who sprinted into the end zone for the first score. It was a clean, textbook play that set the tone.

DePaul tried to respond, but St. Joseph’s defense, anchored by senior safety Carlos Ramos, kept them at bay. Ramos ripped a sack on the second drive and later forced a fumble that the Hilltoppers recovered deep in Blue Jay territory. The turnover turned into another quick touchdown, widening the gap to 14‑0.

Half‑time arrived with the scoreboard reading 21‑3 in St. Joseph’s favor. The Hilltoppers’ offense was clicking on all cylinders – a solid ground game that averaged five yards per carry, plus a passing attack that hit over 250 yards total. Running back Jamal Lewis, who’s been a workhorse all season, broke off a 45‑yard run that ended with a graceful dive into the end zone.

DePaul’s lone score came late in the third quarter after a lengthy drive that finally culminated in a short plunge by their freshman running back. Even though it was a bright spot for the Blue Jays, it did little to shift momentum.

Coach Mike O’Brien used the post‑game press conference to stress “the importance of playing our own brand of football.” He praised the defense’s aggression, noting that the team recorded three sacks and forced two turnovers – numbers that, he said, “send a clear message to the rest of the conference.”

Looking ahead, St. Joseph will face arch‑rival St. Mary’s next week. If Saturday’s performance is any indication, the Hilltoppers are gearing up for a strong push toward the conference title.

For the players, it’s about more than just the scoreboard. Senior linebacker Dante Coleman, who was named Defensive Player of the Week, summed it up: “We came out hungry, we trusted each other, and we left everything on the field. That’s the vibe we want to keep.”