QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University sprint football team opened the 2026 season on the right foot Saturday, defeating Bellarmine University 28-21 at QU Stadium. The Hawks scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter before answering a Bellarmine comeback with the game-winning touchdown in the fourth to snap a two-game losing streak against the Knights.
Bellarmine struck first, putting together an eight-play, 57-yard drive that ended with an 11-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 advantage midway through the opening quarter. Quincy moved the ball throughout the first 15 minutes but was unable to put points on the board.
The Hawks' offense came alive in the second quarter.
Starting from its own 38-yard line, Quincy put together a six-play, 62-yard drive with
Kiet Truong completing all six of his passes. The drive ended when Truong found
Gregory Quince for a nine-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 with 11:12 remaining in the half. The score marked the seventh receiving touchdown of Quince's career.
The defense quickly gave the ball back to the offense.
Thomas Murray Jr. intercepted Bellarmine quarterback Kyle Horvath and returned it 21 yards to the Knights' 38-yard line, recording the second interception of his career.
Quincy capitalized on the takeaway as Truong connected with
Nasir Carson for a 37-yard touchdown to give the Hawks their first lead of the afternoon at 14-7. It marked Carson's sixth career receiving touchdown.
The Hawks' defense created another opportunity on Bellarmine's next possession when
Gedeon Mbenga recovered a fumble at the Knights' 22-yard line. Three plays later, Truong found
Evan Lopez for a 19-yard touchdown, the first of Lopez's collegiate career, extending the advantage to 21-7 with 3:56 remaining in the half.
Truong finished the afternoon 18-of-30 for 268 yards and three touchdowns, marking the second game of his career with at least three touchdown passes.
Bellarmine responded after halftime with a lengthy 16-play, 58-yard drive that took more than eight minutes off the clock. Horvath capped the possession with a five-yard touchdown run, trimming Quincy's lead to 21-14 with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter.
The Knights threatened again late in the third, driving into the Quincy red zone. This time, the Hawks came up with another turnover as
Donnell Packer forced a fumble at the QU 10 and recovered it himself at the 14.
Bellarmine eventually pulled even after an interception gave the Knights possession at the Quincy 17-yard line. Six plays later, a seven-yard touchdown pass tied the contest at 21-21 with 9:21 remaining.
Quincy's response proved to be the difference.
The Hawks took over at their own 25 and marched 75 yards in seven plays.
Travon Hegler-Wright broke a 22-yard run during the drive before Truong connected with Lopez for 10 yards on third-and-nine to keep the possession alive.
Drew Paben then took over, ripping off a 25-yard run to the Bellarmine 17 before finding the end zone on the next play for his first career rushing touchdown, putting Quincy back in front 28-21 with 5:27 remaining.
The Quincy defense forced a three-and-out on Bellarmine's next possession and later stopped the Knights on downs with 1:31 remaining. The Hawks ran out the remaining clock to secure the season-opening victory.
Carson led the receiving corps with six catches for 118 yards and a touchdown, recording the third 100-yard receiving performance of his career. Lopez turned in a career day with four receptions for a career-high 71 yards and his first touchdown, while Quince added two catches for 22 yards and a score.
Quincy also found success on the ground, rushing for 137 yards. Hegler-Wright led the way with 93 yards on 11 carries, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt, while Paben finished with 58 yards and the game-winning touchdown on 12 carries.
The Hawks controlled the statistical battle, outgaining Bellarmine 405-175, including a 268-104 advantage through the air. Quincy also held the Knights to just 2.5 yards per play while forcing three turnovers.
Packer led the defensive effort with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. It marked the sixth double-digit tackle performance of his career. Murray added three tackles along with his second career interception, while the Quincy defense totaled nine tackles for loss.
Jensen Laughlin was perfect on all four extra-point attempts and is now 23-for-23 on PATs for his career. He also handled two punts, averaging 43.5 yards with one placed inside the 20.
The Hawks will remain at QU Stadium for their next contest, hosting Calumet College of St. Joseph on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 11:00 AM.
