(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 15)—Despite a 125-yard rushing effort from senior running back Uhlon Rich (Swansea, Ill./Belleville West) (Swansea, Ill./Belleville West), the McKendree University football team was edged at home Saturday by Urbana University, 23-21.

 

Junior running back Jacob Rohman (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) added 91 yards on 20 attempts, including a pair of touchdowns for the Bearcats. Rohman’s second scoring run of the day, a 10-yarder with 8:01 to play, brought McKendree within two points. However, on their final possession with just over a minute to play, the Bearcats were stopped inches shy of a first down near midfield, allowing Urbana to escape with the win.

 

For the second consecutive year, McKendree, ranked No. 15 in the NAIA, lost in its home opener. The Bearcats slipped to 1-1 on the year, while Urbana moved to 2-1 overall. Both teams combined for eight turnovers in the game, with four on each side of the ball.

 

Urbana (2-1) jumped out to a 3-0 lead on a 38-yard field goal by Jacob Harfman for the only points of the first quarter. With just over nine minutes left in the first half, the Blue Knights capitalized on a bad snap on a Bearcat punt when Chris Rutledge picked up a loose ball and returned it three yards for a touchdown and a 10-0 Urbana lead.

 

McKendree struck for its first points of the day just before the half when sophomore quarterback Dan Loudenslager (Summerfield, Fla./Belleview) (Summerfield, Fla./Belleview) connected with junior running back George Smith (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) on a 48-yard touchdown pass. The extra point by sophomore kicker Kevin Kinsall (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O’Fallon, Ill./O’Fallon) cut the Bearcats’ deficit to 10-7.

 

The Bearcats took their only lead of the day after sophomore kicker Charlie Jouett (Sherman, Ill./Williamsville) (Sherman, Ill./Williamsville) recovered an Urbana fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half. Rohman capped a seven-play, 55-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown run, and Kinsall’s point after gave McKendree a 14-10 advantage.

 

Urbana regained the lead for good at 23-14 with touchdowns on consecutive possessions, the last coming on the first play of the fourth quarter. McKendree eventually pulled within 23-21 on Rohman’s 10-yard touchdown burst at the 8:01 mark, but could get no closer.

 

In addition to his 48-yard touchdown reception, Smith added 74 yards on 10 carries for McKendree. Loudenslager was 3-of-14 for 65 yards.

 

For Urbana, Kirk Hannah rushed for a game-high 165 yards on 21 carries. Quarterback C.J. Westler was 9-for-25 for 119 yards.

 

Sophomore defensive back Antonio Greer (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) led the McKendree defense with 10 tackles, including two for loss. Greer also had an interception in the contest. Junior linebacker Steve Moravec (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) chipped in with nine tackles along with a sack.

 

McKendree will return to action next Saturday at home against No. 9-ranked Ohio Dominican University. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Leemon Field.