QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University football team returns to QU Stadium on Saturday, October 17, to host Truman State University in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 PM.

Quincy enters the matchup at 2-4 overall and 1-2 in GLVC play following a 20-17 loss to William Jewell last Saturday. Truman State also enters at 2-4 overall but holds a 2-1 mark in conference action after falling 21-19 at Upper Iowa.

The Bulldogs are led by third-year head coach Kellen Nesbitt, who owns an 18-12 record at Truman.

Saturday brings together two teams looking to rebound from narrow conference losses, with Quincy attempting to snap a nine-game losing streak in the series against the Bulldogs.

Last Time Out

Quincy came up just short against William Jewell, falling 20-17 on a field goal as time expired at QU Stadium.

The Hawks entered halftime with a 17-10 advantage after Joe Reif connected on a 30-yard field goal, Bradyn Little threw a touchdown pass and Collin Parsons added a seven-yard rushing score.

Neither team scored in the third quarter before William Jewell mounted its comeback late. Hunter Bailey scored on a three-yard run with 2:10 remaining to tie the game at 17.

After forcing Quincy off the field, the Cardinals drove into scoring position and Bleu Renfrow connected on a 21-yard field goal as time expired.

William Jewell finished with a 372-335 advantage in total offense and controlled possession for nearly 36 minutes. 

Parsons continued his strong season with 141 rushing yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt. Little completed 15-of-30 passes for 190 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Jackson Burnett led the receiving corps with three catches for 77 yards, while Derrick Miller added 39 yards.

Defensively, Quincy intercepted Charlie Loose once and recorded one sack, but William Jewell found success on the ground with 210 rushing yards.

Parsons Faces One of GLVC's Top Run Defenses

One of Saturday's biggest matchups will come when Parsons and the Quincy rushing attack meet one of the top run defenses in the conference.

Parsons has rushed for 751 yards and eight touchdowns on 89 carries through six games. His 8.44 yards per carry leads the GLVC and ranks among the best marks in Division II, while his 125.2 rushing yards per game also leads the conference.

Parsons has rushed for at least 100 yards in each of Quincy's last five games and has become the centerpiece of an offense averaging 33.2 points and nearly 395 total yards per game.

Truman State presents one of his toughest challenges to date. The Bulldogs allow just 107 rushing yards per game, second in the GLVC and among the top 25 marks nationally.

That defense has been even stronger over the last four games. Truman has held each of its last four opponents below 100 rushing yards, allowing just 60.5 rushing yards per game during that stretch. Opponents are averaging only 2.1 yards per carry across those four contests.

That recent run sets up a major strength-on-strength matchup between a Truman defense that has consistently shut down opposing rushing attacks and a Quincy back in Parsons who has topped 100 yards in five straight games.

Little Continues to Lead Balanced Attack

Little enters Saturday having completed 116-of-191 passes for 1,475 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He averages 245.8 passing yards per game and has helped Quincy produce one of the conference's most balanced offenses.

Miller leads the receiving corps with 418 yards and three touchdowns on 23 catches. Burnett has added 294 yards and two scores, while Elijah Genenbacher has a team-high four receiving touchdowns to go along with 237 yards.

The passing game could become especially important Saturday against a Truman defense that has been much stronger against the run than the pass.

The Bulldogs rank seventh in the GLVC in passing yards allowed per game at 240.5 and have recorded just one interception this season.

With Truman allowing only 107 rushing yards per game — and just 60.5 per contest over its last four — Quincy may need to lean more heavily on Little and its receiving corps if the Bulldogs are able to slow Parsons on the ground.

That could put added importance on Miller, Burnett and Genenbacher creating separation and giving Little opportunities to attack a Truman secondary that has been far less disruptive than its front seven.

Irving Tests Quincy Run Defense

On the other side of the ball, Quincy faces another difficult rushing matchup.

Sophomore running back Madden Irving has carried the ball 99 times for 520 yards and seven touchdowns. He has surpassed 100 rushing yards three times this season and scored two rushing touchdowns in each of those performances.

Irving has also been effective in the passing game, recording 10 receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns. That versatility could present problems for a Quincy defense that has struggled to stop the run.

The Hawks are allowing 217 rushing yards per game, the highest mark in the GLVC. William Jewell became the latest opponent to find success on the ground last week, rushing for 210 yards.

Under head coach Jason Killday, Quincy is 1-8 when allowing an opposing player to rush for at least 100 yards, making the matchup with Irving one of the biggest keys Saturday.

Hair Brings Experience and Mobility

Senior quarterback Dylan Hair gives Truman an experienced presence behind center.

Hair has started 30 career games and enters Saturday having completed 95-of-156 passes for 1,269 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has also rushed 57 times for 270 yards and two touchdowns.

Hair's ability to impact the game with both his arm and legs has been particularly evident against Quincy.

In two career starts against the Hawks, he has totaled 383 passing yards, 159 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

Truman spreads the ball around heavily through the air. Six Bulldogs have already surpassed 100 receiving yards, while two more sit near that mark. Senior receiver Jackson Overton leads the group with 22 receptions for 245 yards.

That balance will challenge a Quincy secondary allowing 199.2 passing yards per contest, which ranks 3rd in the conference.

Turnover Battle Could Be Critical

Truman's biggest statistical weakness has been taking care of the football.

The Bulldogs enter Saturday with a minus-1.67 turnover margin, one of the lowest marks in Division II. Truman has forced just three turnovers while giving the ball away 13 times. Hair's nine interceptions are the most in the GLVC.

That issue proved costly last Saturday at Upper Iowa.

Truman outgained the Peacocks 324-175, including a 228-82 advantage through the air, but committed four turnovers in the 21-19 loss. Hair threw three interceptions, while Upper Iowa also returned a Truman fumble 47 yards for a touchdown.

The Bulldogs trailed 21-13 before Hair connected with Luke Allen for a 28-yard touchdown with 4:36 remaining, but Truman could not complete the comeback.

Quincy has intercepted six passes this season, giving the Hawks an opportunity to capitalize if Truman continues to struggle protecting the football.

The Hawks will also need to take care of it themselves after Little threw two interceptions against William Jewell.

Battle in the Trenches

Truman has done an excellent job keeping opponents out of its backfield.

The Bulldogs allow only one sack per game, second-best in the GLVC. They also surrender just 3.0 tackles for loss per game, the best mark in the conference and one of the top totals nationally.

That could make creating pressure difficult for a Quincy defense averaging 0.83 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss per contest. Quincy will need to find ways to disrupt Hair without sacrificing its ability to contain Irving and Hair in the rushing game.

On the other side, Truman defensive end Alex Medina leads the Bulldogs with six tackles for loss while adding 28 tackles, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Linebacker Jack Weltha leads the defense with 53 tackles, averaging 8.8 per game, while also recording 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack.

Two of GLVC's Most Disciplined Teams

Saturday will also feature the two most disciplined teams in the conference.

Quincy averages only 4.33 penalties per game and 38.83 penalty yards, both leading the GLVC and ranking seventh nationally. Truman sits directly behind the Hawks at 5.0 penalties and 47.67 penalty yards per game. 

With both teams coming off losses decided in the final minutes, avoiding self-inflicted mistakes could become especially important.

Killday Faces Former Program

Saturday will provide another meeting between Killday and a Truman State program he knows well.

Before returning to Quincy as head coach, Killday spent eight seasons at Truman State as offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator.

During his time in Kirksville, Killday helped guide the Bulldogs to the 2016 GLVC championship and victories in the America's Crossroads Bowl in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Truman also recorded four consecutive nine-win seasons during that stretch.

Killday is now in his third season leading Quincy and is looking for his first win against the Bulldogs.

Series History

Truman State holds a 14-2 advantage in the series against Quincy and are 7-2 on the road in Quincy.

The Bulldogs have won nine consecutive meetings, with seven of those victories coming by double digits. Quincy's most recent win came in 2015, when the Hawks defeated Truman 23-19 at QU Stadium.

Last Year's Meeting

Truman earned a 44-21 victory over Quincy last season in Kirksville.

The Bulldogs took control early, building a 24-0 halftime lead before Quincy attempted to respond after the break.

Truman's rushing attack proved especially difficult to stop. The Bulldogs ran for 282 yards and four touchdowns, while holding Quincy to minus-11 rushing yards.

Hair did much of the damage himself.

He rushed 11 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns, scoring on runs of 52 and 62 yards. Hair also completed 13-of-23 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown.

Quincy found success through the air, with Little completing 35-of-51 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns. Burnett, Genenbacher and Troy TW Crozier each caught touchdown passes.

Turnovers also played a major role.

Quincy lost four fumbles, giving Truman additional opportunities and helping the Bulldogs build their early advantage.

Matchup Outlook

Saturday's matchup features several contrasting strengths.

Quincy brings one of the nation's most efficient running backs in Parsons, while Truman counters with one of the GLVC's best rushing defenses.

On the other side, Irving and Hair will test a Quincy defense looking to improve against the run after allowing more than 200 rushing yards per game.

Turnovers could ultimately swing the matchup.

Truman has moved the football effectively at times this season but has struggled to protect it, while Quincy will look to turn its six interceptions into additional scoring opportunities.

The Hawks will also need to rediscover the offensive rhythm that produced 133 points during their three-game stretch against Lincoln, Wayne State and McKendree after being held to 17 last week.

With both teams coming off narrow losses and looking to improve their position in the GLVC standings, limiting turnovers, controlling the rushing game and capitalizing in the red zone could determine Saturday's result.

Kickoff between Quincy and Truman State is scheduled for 2 PM Saturday at QU Stadium.

GLVCSN
Live Stats
Quincy Game Notes
Box Score vs. William Jewell