FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- The Siena Heights football team suffered a 21-20 loss to 24th-ranked Saint Francis (Ind.) in its season opener on Saturday.

The Saints (0-1) had built a 20-0 first-quarter lead before the host Cougars (1-1) scored 21 unanswered, including 14 during the fourth quarter.

D.J. Young got SHU started off hot with a 92-yard kickoff-return touchdown on the first play of the game, becoming only the fourth Saint to return a kickoff to paydirt.

Siena Heights worked its way to a 13-0 lead later in the first quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Braylen Himmelein. That finished a 13-play, 17-yard drive.

Later, Himmelein connected with JaMarcus Barnes on a 17-yard touchdown pass. One play before that, SHU's Brevin Jackson intercepted a USF pass in Siena Heights territory and returned it 43 yards.

Himmelein finished 13 of 24 for 136 yards through the air while Brendan Haisenleder led the ground game with 13 carries for 73 yards.

Kendrick McBride was the leading receiver with four grabs for 50 yards.

The Saints had two possessions after the hosts took a 21-20 lead, but one stalled at the USF 37-yard-line and the last ended on an interception.

Clarke Hamilton led the SHU defense with 16 tackles, including one for-loss. Jalen Edwards added 13 tackles, including a half-sack.

Kieran Jackson made seven tackles, including two for-loss.

A.J. Knox and Xavier Hall also made sacks. Knox forced a fumble and Johnny Habash recorded a half-sack.

SHU will return to play Saturday, Sept. 13, when it hosts Saint Francis (Ill.).