(OSKALOOSA, Iowa., Oct. 20)—The McKendree University football team used a pair of record-breaking performances in posting a 37-0 victory Saturday at William Penn University.

 

Junior running back Jacob Rohman (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) rushed for a career-best 164 yards with two touchdowns, while senior defensive back Lawrence Davis (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) set a team record with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdowns to help lead the Bearcats to their first shutout win of the season. McKendree improves to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League play. The Bearcats are now a perfect 3-0 on the road this season.

 

Rohman gained 123 of his yards in the third quarter, which nearly matched his previous game high of 136 yards set three weeks ago against Quincy. Rohman had a 17-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter, then added a 41-yard scoring run in the third quarter when it appeared he was stopped twice on the play.

 

Junior running back George Smith (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) also topped the 100-yard rushing mark with 116 yards on 13 carries, while senior running back Uhlon Rich (Swansea, Ill./Belleville West) (Swansea, Ill./Belleville West) narrowly missed the century mark with 96 yards on 11 rushes. As a team, McKendree picked up a season-high 491 yards on the ground and 516 yards of total offense.

 

Defensively, the Bearcats limited William Penn to just 177 yards of total offense, including just 32 yards in the second half. The shutout was the 18^th for McKendree since reviving its football program prior to the 1996 season.

 

“This was the first time all year we played McKendree football,” said McKendree head coach Carl Poelker. “We really got the kind of production out of Jake, George, Uhlon and (junior running back) Shane (McBride) that we need to be a successful team. Our line was strong off the ball today, and our running game fed off that. We were making plays on both sides of the ball, and making them consistently.””

 

Davis’ record-breaking interception return came at a pivotal moment in the contest. McKendree was leading 13-0 late in the first half, and William Penn drove down to the Bearcats’ one-yard line. Junior linebacker Steve Moravec (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) dropped Statesmen running back Travion Johnson for a one-yard loss, setting up a second-and-goal at the two.

 

On the next play, quarterback Ryan Van Dalen scrambled and threw a pass into the end zone. Davis stepped in front of the ball three yards deep in the end zone, and had to elude Van Dalen at the 15-yard line during the long return.

 

“That play was huge,” said Poelker. “They had the momentum, and it was great to see one of our senior leaders step up and make the big play.”

 

McKendree scored on its first two possessions as Rich broke free for a 43-yard touchdown run just under four minutes into the contest before Rohman added his 17-yard scoring run later in the period. After Davis’ interception return, Moravec intercepted another Statesmen pass, which set up a 28-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Kevin Kinsall (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) on the final play of the first half.

 

Smith posted a 14-yard touchdown run on the Bearcats’ first-possession of the second half before Rohman sealed the win with his 41-yard scamper.

 

Sophomore safety Antonio Greer (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) led the McKendree defensive unit with nine tackles, while Moravec finished with six tackles. In addition to his interception, Davis chipped in with five solo tackles, and senior defensive back Chad Hudson (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) recorded five tackles as well.

 

Johnson led William Penn (4-4, 2-2 MSFA Midwest) with 67 yards on 22 carries. Van Dalen completed 10-of-21 pass attempts for 87 yards.

 

McKendree will return to Leemon Field next Saturday for an MSFA Midwest League contest against the University of St. Francis. Kickoff for the Bearcats’ Homecoming game is set for 1:30 p.m. It will also be Senior Day at Leemon Field, and the program will honor its senior players in a post-game ceremony.