QUINCY, Ill. – The Quincy University football team dropped its 2026 home opener on Saturday, falling 41-28 to Roosevelt University at QU Stadium. The Hawks went toe-to-toe with the Lakers through the opening half and mounted a late fourth-quarter push, but Roosevelt pulled away in the closing minutes to send Quincy to 0-2 on the season.
Roosevelt opened the scoring on its first possession, marching 68 yards before Tyvon Boddie broke free for a 39-yard touchdown run to give the Lakers an early 7-0 advantage.
Quincy answered immediately with a seven-play, 70-yard drive.
Collin Parsons helped set up the score with a 44-yard run down to the Roosevelt nine-yard line before
Bradyn Little found
Elijah Genenbacher for a five-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at seven. The touchdown reception was the fifth of Genenbacher's career.
The Lakers reclaimed the lead with 2:55 remaining in the first quarter on a one-yard touchdown run, but the Hawks responded again early in the second.
After the Quincy defense stopped Roosevelt on fourth down, the Hawks took over at the Laker 38-yard line. QU converted a fourth-and-seven during the ensuing drive before Little connected with
Tykell Hammers from four yards out for Hammers' first collegiate touchdown reception, evening the score at 14-14 with 10:43 remaining in the half.
The score remained tied until the final minute of the second quarter. Roosevelt needed just two plays to cover 80 yards, scoring on a 32-yard touchdown pass with 56 seconds remaining to take a 21-14 advantage into halftime.
Quincy was held scoreless in the third quarter while Roosevelt added a 27-yard field goal to extend its advantage to 24-14. The Lakers then opened the fourth quarter with a 72-yard touchdown drive, pushing the deficit to 31-14 with 12:57 to play.
Little quickly directed a seven-play, 75-yard response, completing passes to Hammers,
Derrick Miller and Genenbacher before finding
Jackson Burnett for an 11-yard touchdown. The score was the fifth receiving touchdown of Burnett's career and brought Quincy back within 10 points at 31-21.
Roosevelt answered with a lengthy drive that ended in a 25-yard field goal, making it 34-21 with 5:38 remaining.
Quincy struck again in just over a minute. Little opened the possession with a 39-yard completion to Burnett before hitting Miller for gains of 19 and 17 yards on consecutive plays, the latter going for a touchdown. Miller's score marked his second straight game with a receiving touchdown and the third of his career, while he also surpassed 500 career receiving yards during the contest. The touchdown cut the Roosevelt lead to 34-28 with 4:20 remaining.
The Lakers put the game away on the ensuing possession, going 60 yards in eight plays and scoring on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 1:53 left to secure the 41-28 victory.
Little finished the night 18-of-29 for 182 yards and four touchdowns, setting a new career high for touchdown passes in a game. He connected with four different receivers for scores while throwing one interception.
Burnett led the Quincy receiving corps with four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown, while Miller added three receptions for 45 yards and a score. Hammers caught four passes for 29 yards and his first career touchdown, while Genenbacher finished with three receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown.
On the ground, Parsons paced the Hawks for the second straight week, rushing 13 times for 85 yards, including a game-long 44-yard run.
Aaron Harvey added 33 yards on seven attempts as Quincy finished with 116 rushing yards.
The Quincy defense was on the field for 92 plays as Roosevelt accumulated 590 yards of total offense and held possession for 37:28. The Lakers rushed for 219 yards and threw for another 371.
Jordan Elmore led the Hawks with a career-high 17 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Brevin Jackson followed with a career-high 13 stops, pushing him past 100 career tackles.
Eddie Johnson also set a career high with 11 tackles and recorded two tackles for loss.
Kieran Jackson and
Ja'Sean Mays each reached double figures with 10 tackles apiece.
The Hawks will have a bye next weekend before returning to QU Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, for Homecoming against Lincoln University of Missouri. The 1:00 PM kickoff will also mark Quincy's first GLVC matchup of the 2026 season.
