(QUINCY, Ill., Oct. 28)—The McKendree College football team was defeated Saturday in a Mid-States Football Association Midwest League contest at Quincy University, 21-17.

 

Quincy quarterback Matt Wehrle scored on a 14-yard run with just 1:05 remaining to help the Hawks rally for the win. The win allowed Quincy to snap a five-game losing streak against the Bearcats. McKendree is now 4-4 overall and 4-3 in the MSFA Midwest League, while Quincy improves to 5-4 on the season and 4-3 in conference play.

 

“Quincy beat in every phase of the game,” said McKendree head football coach Carl Poelker. “Offensively they moved the ball effectively, especially in the second half. They were able to contain our running game and I thought they were solid on special teams. You have to give their coaching staff credit. They were ready to play.”

 

After Quincy tied the game at 14-14 on a one-yard quarterback keeper by Wehrle and a two-point conversion run by Larry Patterson, McKendree fought back to regain the lead. A season-long 44-yard field goal by freshman kicker Kevin Kinsall (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) pushed the Bearcats back in front 17-14 with 6:29 remaining.

 

McKendree then held defensively and forced the Hawks to punt with 3:51 to play. However, the Bearcats were unable to pick up a first down and punted back to Quincy, and the Hawks took over at their own 20-yard line with 3:13 on the clock. Wehrle was the central figure on the winning drive for Quincy, as he went 5-of-6 for 51 yards in the passing department while adding two carries for 26 yards.

 

“Wehrle did a great job against us,” said Poelker. “He took care of the ball and was poised. He made good decisions. He was the difference on that last drive.”

 

McKendree had one last drive in the final minute, but freshman quarterback Dan Loudenslager (Summerfield, Fla./Belleview) (Summerfield, Fla./Belleview) had a pass intercepted by Quincy’s Sean Dugan with 43 seconds on the clock.

 

McKendree threw for 111 yards in the contest as Loudenslager was 3-of-11 for 78 yards, while senior quarterback Dan Murrin (Normal, Ill./Normal) (Normal, Ill./Normal) completed his only pass attempt for 33 yards. Senior receiver Matt Lauber (O'Fallon, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (O’Fallon, Ill./Althoff Catholic) had two receptions for 71 yards. Loudenslager and Lauber connected on a 16-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring after McKendree senior defensive lineman Tony Wheatley (Springfield, Ill./Southeast) (Springfield, Ill./Southeast) recovered a Quincy fumble on a lateral at the Hawks’ 30-yard line.

 

The Bearcats led 7-3 at the half and 7-6 early in the third quarter after Quincy’s Eric Broughton kicked his second field goal of the game, a 35-yarder. Junior running back George Smith (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) scored from 12 yards out later in the third period to extend the Bearcats’ lead to 14-6.

 

For the game, McKendree rushed for just 110 yards on the day. The Bearcats entered the contest as the top rushing team in the NAIA at 285.3 yards per contest. Smith led the team with 44 yards on eight carries, while sophomore fullback Jacob Rohman (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) added 37 yards on nine attempts.

 

Wehrle was 16-of-25 for 154 yards for Quincy. His favorite target was Josh Pizer, who had five catches for 70 yards. Corey Williams led the Hawks with 68 rushing yards on 19 attempts.

 

Wheatley led the Bearcats’ defense with 10 tackles, including nine solos. He also had one tackle for loss, a fumble recovery and a pass break-up. Junior linebacker Derrick Summerlin (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) also had 10 stops.

 

McKendree will have an open date next week before closing out the 2006 regular season Nov. 11 at home against Iowa Wesleyan College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.