QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University football team delivered one of the most exciting wins of the season on Saturday, holding off Missouri S&T for a 31–30 victory at QU Stadium. The game featured big plays on offense, defense, and special teams as the Hawks improved to 5–3 overall and 3–2 in GLVC play.
Missouri S&T struck first with a 30-yard touchdown pass midway through the opening quarter. Quincy answered with a long 94-yard march, capped by freshman
Elijah Genenbacher's fourth receiving touchdown of the year on a two-yard grab from quarterback
Bradyn Little. The Miners regained the lead with a one-yard rush to go up 14–7 after the first.
The Hawks tied the game early in the second quarter as sophomore running back
Collin Parsons broke free for a 23-yard touchdown run, his second score of the season. After Missouri S&T pulled back in front on a short touchdown pass, Quincy responded with a highlight-reel moment. Freshman
Owen Hampton made an absurd one-handed 17-yard touchdown catch – a play of the year candidate – to tie the game at 21–21 heading into halftime.
Out of the break, kicker
Conor McAneney drilled a 39-yard field goal to give the Hawks their first lead, 24–21. S&T quickly answered with a 25-yard touchdown strike to move ahead 28–24, then added a safety early in the fourth to extend the advantage to 30–24.
The decisive blow came with just over nine minutes to play.
Kamrin Cox blocked a punt, giving Quincy possession deep in Miner territory. Parsons punched it in from a yard out two plays later – his second touchdown of the day and third of the season – to put the Hawks ahead 31–30.
Kiko Moreno remained perfect on the year, hitting his fourth PAT of the day and improving to 29-for-29 this season.
The defense then sealed it. On the game's final play, Missouri S&T attempted a desperate series of laterals across the field, but Quincy swarmed to the ball and forced a fumble that was recovered by the Hawks to secure the victory.
Missouri S&T outgained Quincy 424–368 overall, fueled by 349 passing yards, while the Hawks leaned on balance with 159 rushing yards and 209 passing yards. Quincy averaged 6.2 yards per play compared to 5.4 for S&T, and made the most of its three red-zone trips, scoring touchdowns on all three. The Miners struggled in the red area, converting just two of six chances.
It was a career day for sophomore
Collin Parsons, who carried 17 times for a career-high 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while also adding 40 receiving yards for 165 total yards. It marked the first multi-touchdown game of his career. Little finished 17-of-26 for 209 yards and two touchdowns, including scores to Genenbacher and Hampton.
Jackson Burnett led the receiving corps with 76 yards on five catches.
Defensively, the Hawks were led by
Brock Wiley's career-high 18 tackles (11 solo), a tackle for loss, and two pass breakups.
Jacob Duke posted a career-high eight tackles, forced a fumble, and recovered it on the same play.
Brock Inman added seven stops to reach 200 career tackles.
The Hawks will be back at QU Stadium next Saturday for another huge test as they host nationally ranked UIndy (7–1, 5–0 GLVC). The Greyhounds enter on a six-game winning streak and are coming off a bye week. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
