(FORT WAYNE, Ind., Sept. 17)—A 17-yard touchdown pass from Chris Bramell to Andy Papagiannis with 34 seconds remaining lifted the University of St. Francis (Ind.) to a 28-21 victory over the McKendree College football team Saturday at Bishop D’Arcy Stadium in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Bramell’s touchdown pass capped a run of 21 unanswered points against the Bearcats in a battle of NAIA top 10 teams. McKendree, the No. 6 team in the NAIA, falls to 1-1 on the year, while No. 2-ranked St. Francis improves to 2-0 overall. The Cougars had upset NCAA Division I-AA member Indiana State University 42-10 in its season opener last Saturday.
“This was a game of inches,” said McKendree head coach Carl Poelker. “This was the type of game where two or three plays on either side of the ball helped determine the outcome. It was a matchup of two very good football teams, and it came down to the wire like you would expect that type of game to go.”
McKendree built a 21-7 lead on the first play of the second half when junior running back Dominique Jones (St. Louis, Mo./Hazelwood Central) (St. Louis, Mo./Hazelwood Central) raced 62 yards for touchdown. The Cougars answered on the ensuing drive when Michael Ledo scored from six yards out to cut the Bearcat lead to 21-14.
Early in the fourth quarter, Bramell threw his first touchdown of the day, a 22-yard strike to Cory Jacquay, the 2004 NAIA Player of the Year. The point after tied the contest at 21-21. The Cougars’ game-winning drive consumed 78 yards. It took 12 plays and just over five minutes, culminating in Bramell’s game-winning toss.
“(Bramell) can beat you with his arm, and he can beat you with his feet,” said Poelker. “He’s smart, and made the plays today when he had to.” Bramell completed 12-of-24 pass attempts for 130 yards while adding 61 rushing yards on 13 carries.
McKendree jumped in front with 5:26 remaining in the first quarter when senior fullback Lamont Benn (Chicago, Ill./Curie) (Chicago, Ill./Curie) scored on a two-yard run. Senior kicker Stephen Webb (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) added the point after to give the Bearcats a 7-0 advantage. Bramell scored on a four-yard quarter back keeper just over a minute into the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7.
Late in the first half, McKendree put together an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended on a one-yard quarterback sneak by junior Brendon Delaney (Highland, Ill./Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland). Webb’s extra point gave the Bearcats a 14-7 cushion with just 26 seconds left before halftime.
Dominique Jones (St. Louis, Mo./Hazelwood Central) finished with a career-high 99 yards rushing on seven carries to lead the Bearcats. Freshman running back Jacob Rohman (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) added 76 yards on seven attempts, while senior Daryle Jones (St. Louis, Mo./McCluer North) (St. Louis, Mo./McCluer North) contributed 54 yards on 13 rushes.
“Our younger players really stepped up today,” said Poelker. “Dominique had some big runs, and Jacob played well. George Smith (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) (20 yards on five carries) had a couple of key first-down runs to keep the drive alive late in the first half. You could see those guys turning the corner today.”
Ledo posted a game-high 140 yards rushing to lead St. Francis, while Jacquay finished with 92 yards on 15 carries.
On the defensive side for the Bearcats, junior safety Mike Harrison (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) led the way with a career-high 13 tackles. Senior linebacker Joe Bendoraitis (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way) (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way) and junior defensive back Adam Clapp (Oakland, Ill./Oakland) (Oakland, Ill./Oakland) each chipped in with 12 stops. Junior lineman Ardell Adams (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) accounted for 2 1/2 of McKendree's three quarterback sacks.
McKendree will be at home next Saturday to face Ohio Dominican University in a non-conference mathup. Kickoff at Leemon Field is set for 1:30 p.m.
