LORETTO, Pa. — The LIU football team is finishing strongly down the stretch for a second straight season.

Chris Howell completed a 72-yard pass to fellow freshman Aviyon Smith-Mack and Owen Glascoe subsequently punched in a 1-yard touchdown run with 93 seconds remaining to give the LIU football team a 29-28 win against host Saint Francis U on Saturday afternoon.

LIU withstood a final drive from Saint Francis U after the dramatic touchdown, stopping the Red Flash on 4th-and-7 from the LIU 42 with 49 seconds remaining when pressure forced an incomplete pass.

LIU improved to 3-2 in the NEC with its second straight victory.

A year ago, the Sharks similarly finished strongly in NEC play, winning their final four games of the season.

On Saturday, Howell completed 11 of 17 passes for 172 yards and two TDs.

Kam Canterbury led the defense with 10 tackles (six solo).
 
LIU returns home next Saturday to face Wagner at noon at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium.