Box Score Louisville, Ky. - The Quincy University sprint football team opened their season on the road at Bellarmine University Saturday afternoon (Sept. 14). The Hawks were one of two MSFL teams to override the Knights in 2023, but the Hawks fell through on their season opener, losing to the Knights 27-21.
Bellarmine kept a short leash on the Hawks in the first quarter and had an offensive burst in the final minutes of play to take the lead 14-0. The Hawks found themselves their first touchdown of the game in the second quarter after a short run from
CJ Jackson. The Hawks gained 52 yards on the play, including a 20-yard toss from quarterback
Deuce Allaway.
Gregory Quince stopped the Knights in the red zone at the end of the second quarter on an interception. Quince ran the ball up 23 yards and gave the Hawks another offensive opportunity before half. A pick-six for the Knights in that drive ended the half with the Hawks down 27-7.
The Hawks returned with a bit more gusto in the second half and took their first drive to the end zone. Jackson ran for 19 total yards before
Chance Newton took over the ground play.
Tate Meyer took over at quarterback and threw one long for
Nasir Carson who took it home and put the Hawks back in the game.
It was Jackson and Newton again for the Hawks' third touchdown of the game, running 51 yards combined. Quincy chose the two-point conversion after the touchdown and Jackson completed the play, putting the Hawks within a touchdown of the Knights with eight minutes to go.
The Hawks forced the Knights into 14 plays in the final eight minutes.
Noah Getz stopped Bellarmine running backs on four plays and led the Hawks in solo tackles for the day.
Overall, Jackson put the Hawks forward 76 yards with no yards for loss. In the air, Carson had four receptions for 88 yards, including a 38 yard toss from Meyer. On defense,
Joell Campos led the Hawks with eleven total tackles.
Jensen Laughlin averaged 44.3 yards a punt in the game with a 62-yard punt in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks return to the Rock on Saturday and host Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for the first time in program history. The Hawks will kick off at 3pm.
