QUINCY, Ill. - Quincy University football dropped a hard-fought 24-21 decision to McKendree on Saturday afternoon at QU Stadium in the annual Battle for the Land of Lincoln. Despite building a 21-14 halftime lead, the Hawks were held scoreless in the second half as the Bearcats rallied to spoil Homecoming
McKendree struck first midway through the opening quarter on a 21-yard touchdown pass to cap a 75-yard drive. Quincy responded with a 10-play, 71-yard series that ended when sophomore
Collin Parsons powered in from one yard out for his first career touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.
The Bearcats regained the lead in the second quarter on a 15-yard touchdown run, but the Hawks quickly answered. Freshman quarterback
Bradyn Little connected with fellow freshman
Jackson Burnett for an 18-yard score, marking Burnett's second career touchdown, to even the game at 14-14. Less than a minute later, the Hawks regained possession after a
Brock Inman interception, and Little broke free on a 17-yard run to give the Hawks their first lead at 21-14 going into the break.
The momentum shifted in the second half. McKendree put together a long third-quarter drive capped by a 19-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 21-21. In the fourth quarter, the Bearcats converted a 44-yard field goal with 5:44 remaining, which stood as the game-winner, as the Hawks could get nothing going offensively, being shut out in a half for the first time all season.
Statistically, it was a tough day for Quincy's ground game, which was limited to just 22 rushing yards on 19 attempts, the lowest output of the season. Little finished 23-of-34 through the air for 239 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while Burnett led the receivers with five catches for 53 yards and a score.
Defensively, the Hawks continued to showcase playmakers. Junior
Brock Wiley tallied a career-high 14 tackles, marking his third straight game leading the team.
Brock Inman picked off a pass for the second straight week, the seventh interception of his career, while
Ayden Bowe registered a career-best four pass breakups. Defensive lineman
Jai Williams added a career-high 10 tackles, including a sack.
Quincy drops to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in GLVC play, while McKendree moves to 2-3 (2-1 GLVC).
The Hawks will be back in action on the road on Saturday, October 11, as they travel to Liberty, Missouri, for another GLVC clash in the Battle of the Birds against William Jewell College. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM from Greene Stadium.
