WAYNE – In many ways, DePaul’s home game tonight against St. Joseph is the most important test of the Spartans’ season.
They don’t just need to respond positively to a 42-28 home loss to Good Counsel (Md.) a week ago. With another six difficult regular-season games awaiting them after tonight, they need to finally overcome the mental obstacle of defeating St. Joseph, the Big North United Division rival that has given DePaul the most trouble in recent years.
St. Joseph (2-0), ranked No. 2 in The Record Non-Public Top 6, is the only Big North United team DePaul hasn’t beaten. DePaul is 0-7 against the Green Knights since 2009 and has lost those games by an average margin of 23.1 points.
The last time the teams played prior to 2009, St. Joseph defeated DePaul, 32-26, in the Non-Public, Group 3 championship game in 1995.
While DePaul is coming off a loss, St. Joseph defeated St. Edward (Ohio), 22-20, on Saturday in Montvale. That win enabled the Green Knights to crack USA Today’s Super 25 national poll at No. 21 earlier this week.
“Beating St. Joe’s would be huge for us, because we’ve never done that at the varsity level,” said DePaul senior defensive end Quayshon Alexander, who has committed to Nebraska.
DePaul opened its season with an impressive 37-0 road win against Pope John on Sept. 5 in Sparta. Last Friday night, however, Good Counsel came to Wayne and dealt DePaul a difficult defeat.
Another loss tonight, and DePaul would be 1-2 heading into a Sept. 26 road game against Canisius Prep (2-0) in Buffalo, N.Y. The Spartans have a bye the following week, before battling Bergen Catholic (2-0) at home Oct. 9. Bergen Catholic is ranked No. 1 in The Record Non-Public Top 6 and No. 18 in USA Today’s Super 25.
“We’re coming off a loss, so we’ve got to get back on track,” DePaul coach John McKenna said. “And yeah, it’s a division game, and it’s a game we need and want.
“Ever since we joined this conference, it’s the only team in the conference we haven’t beaten. Beating them would be huge. They’re an unbelievable team again. They have no weak spots. They’re a very good team, but I believe we’re a good team, too.”