QUINCY, Ill - Quincy University sprint football has already shown it can handle a close game. Now, the Hawks will look to turn that early success into a winning streak.

Quincy will host Calumet College of St. Joseph on Sunday, September 20, at QU Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 11:00 AM. The matchup comes one week after the Hawks opened the 2026 season with a 28-21 victory over Bellarmine University.

A Winning Start for Quincy

The Hawks opened their season in front of a home crowd on September 12, defeating Bellarmine 28-21 in a game that came down to the final minutes.

Quincy trailed early before finding its rhythm in the second quarter. Quarterback Kiet Truong connected with Gregory Quince for a nine-yard touchdown, followed by a 37-yard touchdown pass to Nasir Carson. Truong later found Evan Lopez for a 19-yard score.

Bellarmine refused to go quietly, battling back to tie the game at 21 in the fourth quarter. Quincy answered with its most important drive of the afternoon, as Drew Paben broke through for a 17-yard touchdown run with 5:27 remaining.

The Hawks' defense then closed the door, holding off Bellarmine through the final minutes to secure the victory.

The numbers showed a Quincy offense that was able to stay on the field and create opportunities. The Hawks finished with 405 total yards, including 268 passing yards and 137 rushing yards. Quincy also held the ball for 44:49, giving its offense plenty of chances to control the pace of the game.

It was an opening-week victory that required production from several areas, and that will be important again against Calumet.

Hawks Show Balance 

Quarterback Kiet Truong was at the center of the Hawks' offensive production, throwing three touchdown passes during Quincy's victory. His first scoring connection came in the second quarter, when he found Gregory Quince for a nine-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7. Truong then connected with Nasir Carson for a 37-yard touchdown, giving Quincy its first lead of the afternoon.

The Hawks continued to capitalize on their opportunities, with Truong finding Evan Lopez for a 19-yard touchdown later in the quarter. The three scoring passes helped Quincy build a 21-7 halftime advantage.

Carson and Quince were among the players who helped Quincy create momentum through the air, while Lopez added another important touchdown reception. The Hawks' passing game gave Bellarmine trouble during the second quarter and helped set up a strong offensive performance.

The running game became especially important in the fourth quarter. After Bellarmine erased the deficit and tied the game at 21, Drew Paben broke off runs of 25 and 17 yards on consecutive plays, ultimately giving Quincy the lead.

Paben's late touchdown was the deciding play of the afternoon and capped a drive that covered 75 yards on seven plays. It was the kind of response Quincy needed after Bellarmine had fought its way back into the game.

On the defensive side, the Hawks were tested throughout the afternoon. Bellarmine's quarterback, Kyle Horvath, completed 17 of 39 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 37 yards and another score.

The Knights were able to move the ball in the second half, but Quincy held on when it mattered most. Bellarmine's final possession ended with a turnover on downs, allowing the Hawks to secure the seven-point victory.

History with Calumet 

Calumet College of St. Joseph enters Sunday's matchup with a strong history in the MSFL. The Crimson Wave finished the 2025 season with a 6-2 record and advanced to the conference championship game before falling to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, 33-6.

The Crimson Wave have also had the upper hand in the all-time series against Quincy, holding a 3-1 advantage. Calumet won the most recent meeting in 2025, defeating the Hawks 18-0 in the season opener.

That history gives Sunday's game another layer of importance. Quincy will have an opportunity to challenge a program that has been a consistent contender in the conference.

Who to Watch

Calumet College will enter Sunday's matchup looking to bounce back from a 38-24 loss to Midway on September 12. Despite the setback, the Crimson Wave showed some offensive firepower that Quincy will need to account for at QU Stadium.

Quarterback Zayne Guthrie led Calumet's passing attack, completing 16 of 28 attempts for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Guthrie connected with Zaire Davis for a 35-yard touchdown in the third quarter before finding Tre Simmons for a 63-yard score. 

Simmons was Calumet's leading receiver in the game, finishing with 10 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown. His 63-yard reception was the longest scoring play of the afternoon and will be something Quincy's secondary will need to be prepared for. Davis also contributed two catches for 35 yards and a touchdown.

The Crimson Wave finished with 219 total yards against Midway, including 180 passing yards and 39 rushing yards. Davis led the ground game with 15 carries for 52 yards, while Jamall Warnell added 19 yards on nine attempts. 

Calumet's defense also had several players who made an impact. Isaiah Kish led the Crimson Wave with seven total tackles, while Robinson Hale and Reggie Miller each recorded four tackles. CJ Wright added four tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss, while Logan Barrios and Corshawn Sartin each finished with three tackles.

The Crimson Wave recorded two sacks and three interceptions in the game, showing their ability to create pressure and make plays in the secondary. Quincy will need to protect the football and limit opportunities for Calumet's defense to change the momentum.

MSFL Standings 

Quincy enters the weekend in first place with Midway trailing behind in the Midwest Sprint Football League standings, both with a 1-0 conference record. Calumet College of St. Joseph and Bellarmine University are both 0-1.

The standings give Quincy an early advantage, but the Hawks know the season is still young. A win over Calumet would allow Quincy to remain unbeaten in conference play while putting additional distance between itself and the teams chasing it.

The matchup is also the first of two meetings between Quincy and Calumet this season. The Hawks will travel to Whiting, Indiana, on October 10 for the return game.

Game Details

Quincy University will host Calumet College of St. Joseph on Sunday, September 20, at 11:00 AM at QU Stadium in Quincy, Illinois.

Quincy will look to protect its home field, continue its winning start and take another step toward a successful 2026 season.