QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University football team returns to QU Stadium on Saturday as the Hawks welcome Lincoln University of Missouri for Homecoming and the Great Lakes Valley Conference opener for both programs.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM on Saturday, September 19, at QU Stadium.

Quincy enters conference play at 0-2 following losses to Concordia University, St. Paul, and Roosevelt, while Lincoln comes to Quincy at 1-1 after splitting a pair of nonconference games against NAIA opponents Central Methodist and Langston.

The Hawks will look to earn their first victory of the season while extending a six-game winning streak against the Blue Tigers.

Looking to Respond

Quincy enters Saturday looking to bounce back from a 41-28 loss to Roosevelt in its home opener.

The Lakers controlled much of the game statistically, outgaining the Hawks 590-298 while running 92 offensive plays compared to Quincy's 54. Roosevelt also possessed the ball for 37:28, including nearly 12 minutes during the fourth quarter.

Despite the disparity in total offense, Quincy remained within striking distance behind an improved performance from quarterback Bradyn Little.

After throwing three interceptions in the season opener, Little completed 18-of-29 passes for 182 yards and a career-high four touchdowns against Roosevelt.

His touchdown passes went to four different receivers: Elijah Genenbacher, Tykell Hammers, Jackson Burnett, and Derrick Miller.

The Hawks were perfect on each of their four red-zone opportunities, scoring touchdowns on all four.

Parsons Continues Strong Start

Junior running back Collin Parsons has emerged as one of Quincy's most consistent offensive weapons through the opening two weeks.

Parsons followed his 119-yard, two-touchdown performance against Concordia-St. Paul with 85 yards on 13 carries against Roosevelt. Through two games, Parsons has rushed for 204 yards on only 24 carries, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt.

His explosiveness has helped Quincy average 132.5 rushing yards per game despite playing from behind for significant stretches in each of the first two contests.

Parsons' production also sets up one of Saturday's more intriguing matchups against a Lincoln offense that has relied heavily on its own ground attack.

Battle on the Ground

Lincoln enters Saturday averaging 213 rushing yards per game, a mark that ranks 30th in NCAA Division II and second in the GLVC.

The Blue Tigers average 389.5 total yards per game, with 213 coming on the ground compared to 176.5 through the air.

Junior running back Kantrell Jordan has led that attack with 147 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, averaging 8.2 yards per attempt. Freshman Leonard Butler IV has added 87 yards and a touchdown on 21 attempts.

Quarterback Antwon McKay Jr. gives Lincoln another threat on the ground. The Western Illinois transfer has completed 23-of-54 passes for 353 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, but has also rushed 19 times for 91 yards and a touchdown.

That rushing attack will test a Quincy defense that has allowed 191.5 yards per game on the ground through two weeks. The Hawks surrendered 219 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns against Roosevelt.

Turnover Battle Looms Large

One of the largest statistical differences between the teams through two weeks has come in turnover margin. Quincy has committed five turnovers while failing to force a takeaway through its first two games.

The Hawks have thrown four interceptions and lost one fumble, resulting in a turnover margin of minus 2.50 per game.

Lincoln has taken the opposite path.

The Blue Tigers have forced four turnovers while committing only one themselves, giving Lincoln a plus-1.50 turnover margin through its first two contests.

Quincy has lost the turnover battle in each of its first two games and enters Saturday still searching for its first takeaway of the season. Creating extra possessions could be especially important against a Lincoln offense built around controlling the game on the ground.

Discipline Could Make a Difference

Saturday also features one of the sharpest statistical contrasts in Division II when it comes to penalties.

Quincy has been flagged just 2.5 times per game for 25 yards, with both marks ranking fourth nationally. Lincoln averages 10.5 penalties and 94.5 penalty yards per game, with both totals ranking near the bottom of Division II.

The difference continues an established trend for the Hawks under third-year head coach Jason Killday. Quincy led Division II in fewest penalties and penalty yards during Killday's first season in 2024 before again ranking among the nation's most disciplined teams last fall.

That discipline played a role in last year's meeting, as Lincoln was penalized 10 times for 104 yards.

Perfect in the Red Zone

While Quincy has struggled to consistently sustain drives through its first two games, the Hawks have taken advantage when they have reached scoring territory.

Quincy is a perfect 6-for-6 in the red zone this season, and all six trips have resulted in touchdowns. Lincoln has had more difficulty finishing drives, converting just 57.1 percent of its red-zone opportunities.

The ability to turn opportunities into touchdowns could become especially important in a series that has regularly produced close games.

Defense Looking to Create More Disruption

The Quincy defense has spent significant time on the field during the opening two weeks. Opponents have averaged 36:03 in possession, compared to 23:57 for the Hawks.

Jordan Elmore leads the Hawks with 27 tackles and four tackles for loss through two games. Brevin Jackson follows with 21 tackles, while Eddie Johnson has recorded 20 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Elmore recorded 17 tackles against Roosevelt, while Jackson added 13 and Johnson finished with 11.

The next step will be turning those stops into more disruptive plays. Quincy has recorded just one sack through two games and has yet to force a turnover.

That will be important against McKay, who has been sacked only once while also presenting a threat with his legs.

Last Year's Battle

Last season's meeting between Quincy and Lincoln came down to the closing minutes in Jefferson City, Missouri.

The Hawks jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead behind a pair of rushing touchdowns.

Lincoln answered with two second-quarter touchdowns before Quincy took a 17-14 advantage into halftime on a 43-yard field goal from Kiko Moreno as time expired.

The Blue Tigers took their first lead of the game midway through the third quarter when quarterback Isaiah Tate scored on a 15-yard run to put Lincoln ahead 21-17.

Quincy responded with an 11-play, 75-yard drive that carried into the fourth quarter. The drive was finished with a 15-yard touchdown run just eight seconds into the final period, putting the Hawks back in front 24-21.

The Quincy defense made the lead stand for the remainder of the game.

Little finished an efficient 20-of-25 for 207 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions, while Quincy outgained Lincoln 331-254.

The Hawks also held the Blue Tigers to just 2-of-9 on third down and possessed the ball for more than 32 minutes.

Series History

Quincy has controlled the recent series against Lincoln.

Since 2014, the Hawks hold a 6-1 advantage over the Blue Tigers and have won six consecutive meetings. Lincoln's lone victory during that span came in 2014, when the Blue Tigers defeated Quincy 42-13 in Jefferson City.

The series has been much more competitive since then, with four of the seven meetings decided by five points or fewer. Quincy is also 3-0 against Lincoln at QU Stadium and will look to continue that home success Saturday.

Scouting Lincoln

Lincoln enters Saturday 1-1 after playing two NAIA opponents during its non-conference schedule. The Blue Tigers opened the year with a 27-11 victory over Central Methodist before falling 19-14 to Langston.

Head coach Moses Harper is in his third season leading Lincoln and owns a 4-20 record. The Blue Tigers are still searching for their first GLVC victory after going 0-16 in conference play during their first two seasons since rejoining the league.

Lincoln has built its offense around its rushing attack, but 13 different players have already caught at least one pass. Freshman wide receiver Lon Ruz leads the group with four receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, linebacker TJ Kelly has been one of the most productive Blue Tigers. Kelly leads the team with 16 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

Senior defensive lineman Gabe Gorbatenko has added 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks while recording four quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

That defensive front will present another challenge for a Quincy offense that has allowed eight sacks through its first two games.

Matchup Outlook

Saturday's Homecoming matchup gives both teams an opportunity to reset as GLVC play begins. For Quincy, the focus will be on cleaning up the areas that proved costly during the first two weeks.

The Hawks have been nearly flawless in the red zone and remain one of the most disciplined teams in Division II, while Parsons has given the offense a consistent threat on the ground.

The biggest question will be whether Quincy can change the turnover battle and prevent Lincoln's rushing attack from controlling possession.

Lincoln enters with a plus turnover margin, one of the GLVC's most productive rushing attacks, and a defense capable of creating pressure. At the same time, the Blue Tigers have struggled with penalties and red-zone efficiency, two areas where Quincy has excelled.

With both teams opening GLVC play and Quincy looking to extend its six-game winning streak in the series, Saturday provides the Hawks an opportunity to earn their first win of the season on Homecoming.

Kickoff between Quincy and Lincoln is scheduled for 1 PM on Saturday, September 19, at QU Stadium.

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Live Stats
Quincy Game Notes
Quincy vs. Roosevelt Box Score
Lincoln vs. Langston Box Score