Quincy, Ill. – The Quincy University football program is excited to announce the 2023 season. The schedule consists of 11 games, including seven Great Lakes Valley Conference games. Head coach Gary Bass is excited to have many home games this fall. "Having a chance to play 8 of our 11 games at 'The Rock' in front of our home fans is awesome," said Coach Bass. The Hawks will play their first five games at QU Stadium.
 
Coach Bass begins his seventh ride as the head coach for the Hawks on August 31st against Chadron State College with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Hawks fans loved the Thursday night lights in the 2022 season when QU faced off against Glenville State and Trinity International University (Ill.), and the Hawks are excited to play another game as the sun sets on the Mississippi River.
 
Week 2 of college football brings Madonna University to Quincy, Illinois. The Crusaders have a fairly new program, playing their first fall season in 2021. The Hawks are excited to host the Crusaders, who play a in a tough NAIA conference with multiple nationally-ranked teams.
 
On September 16^th, Quincy invites the University of Fort Lauderdale Eagles to Gem City. Another new opponent for the Hawks, the Eagles are going on their third season in program history and will face their first and only Midwest opponent of the season in Quincy.
 
The Hawks will take on Northern Michigan for the final week of non-conference play. The Hawks have only met the Wildcats on two other occasions, dropping both contests 31-14. In the 2015 matchup, the Hawks scored their points solely in the third quarter.
 
Quincy begins its now seven-game conference campaign against Southwest Baptist University. The Hawks are excited to begin their conference slate in front of a Homecoming Weekend crowd. The Bearcats have not treaded lightly in the past against the Hawks, holding the overall series 10-1. A 28-point second quarter rally from the Bearcats in last year's contest took the game away from the Hawks on their final road trip of the season.
 
The Hawks take their first road trip of the season up Highway 6 to Truman State University. The Hawks lone win against the Bulldogs came in 2015, overcoming a 19-6 deficit in the fourth quarter. Quincy looks to get their first win in Kirksville this fall.
 
Week 7 brings another Battle of the Birds in Liberty, Missouri. Prior to dropping last year's contest 17-7, the Hawks had a 3-game winning streak over William Jewell. The Hawks still hold the all-time series lead 6-4 and hope to overtake the Cardinals to take the Battle of the Birds series as well.
 
The Hawks come back home to face the University of Indianapolis Greyhounds on October 21^st. Last fall Quincy fell to the undefeated, No. 20 Greyhounds. Despite the 52-38 score, the Hawks gained more yards than the Greyhounds (542-508) and senior Tionne Harris broke the program record for throwing yards in a single game with 503 yards.
 
The Hawks take on the McKendree Bearcats for Week 9 action. The Hawks beat the Bearcats 63-62 in a thriller contest in Lebanon. Quincy punched home a two-yard touchdown in overtime and celebrated the huge win after McKendree missed the tying field goal. This was the Hawks first win at Leemon Field, making their all-time series record 3-11.
 
The Hawks finish their home slate against Missouri S&T on November 4^th. Quincy dropped a tough road contest late in the last quarter to the Miners last season, but hope finish their upcoming season at "The Rock" strong with a win. The Miners lead the all-time series 8-2.
 
Quincy will finish the regular season with Upper Iowa, a new member to the GLVC come the 2023-2024 season. This will be the Hawks and Peacocks' first meeting in program history. Last season the Peacocks went 1-10 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
 
"We couldn't be more excited about this upcoming football season. Our young men have had an excellent off-season and are ready to go for the fall," said Coach Bass.