(DAVENPORT, Iowa., Oct. 18)—The McKendree University football team recorded its second win against an NAIA-ranked opponent in 2008 with a convincing 21-7 victory Saturday on the road against St. Ambrose University.
The Bearcats held a 350-179 edge in total offense and never trailed in posting the win against the No. 15-rated Fighting Bees. For the first time this season, McKendree has won two consecutive games to improve to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League. The victory was the first for McKendree against St. Ambrose since 2005, and it was just the second win all-time for the Bearcats at Brady Street Stadium. Earlier this season, McKendree defeated then-No. 16 Georgetown College, 19-17.
On the day, McKendree piled up nearly 40 minutes in time of possession, holding the football for 39:51. The Bearcats registered 22 first downs to 11 for St. Ambrose, and McKendree also gained 299 yards on the ground. In addition, the McKendree defense held the Fighting Bees to minus-14 yards rushing and recorded four quarterback sacks. The Bearcats also overcame four turnovers to notch the win.
“We played McKendree football from start to finish,” said McKendree head coach Carl Poelker. “Offensively we fired off the football well and ran hard. Defensively we stopped the run time and again, and we were able to get pressure on the quarterback. I wasn't too happy about the amount of penalties and the turnovers. But three of the fumbles came on second-effort situations, and that shows how hard we were playing today.”
Sophomore running back Marlone Chenault (Bellwood, Ill./Proviso East) (Maywood, Ill./Proviso East) led the way with a game-high 97 yards on 19 carries, while junior running back Joe Beimfohr (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) added 96 yards on 22 attempts for McKendree. Senior running back George Smith (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) posted 69 yards on 20 rushes to move into third place on the Bearcats' all-time rushing list. Smith now has 2,088 yards, jumping ahead of Drew Cofty, who gained 2,041 yards while at McKendree.
McKendree took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter after a high snap on a St. Ambrose punt attempt and short punt gave the Bearcats the ball at the Fighting Bees' 25-yard line. Chenault scored from six yards out, and junior Kevin Kinsall (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) booted the extra point to give McKendree a 7-0 lead. The Bearcats pushed the margin to 14-0 late in the second quarter when freshman quarterback Austin Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) (Washington, Ill./Washington) turned a scramble on third-and-seven into a 12-yard touchdown run.
St. Ambrose (4-3, 2-1 MSFA Midwest) posted its only points of the day following the Bearcats' fourth turnover of the contest early in the third quarter. Will Ducey threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Michael Hayward, and the point after cut the Bearcats' lead in half to 14-7.
McKendree responded with a scoring drive on its next possession. Beimfohr capped the 16-play, 73-yard drive with a two-yard run, and Kinsall's extra point accounted for the final points of the day.
From there, the Bearcats' defense took control. Junior linebacker Heath Bohannon (Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves) (Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves) sacked Ducey late in the third quarter and forced a fumble. Senior linebacker Reece McCall (Weirsdale, Fla./Lake Weir) (Weirsdale, Fla./Lake Weir) recovered the loose ball. The Bearcats also stopped two St. Ambrose drives on fourth downs in McKendree territory during the fourth quarter.
McCall and freshman linebacker Brandon Nigro (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way Central) (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) each had a team-leading eight tackles for McKendree. Freshman defensive end Brock Pflasterer (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) added seven stops, while junior defensive back Antonio Greer (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) had the Bearcats' lone interception of the contest.
In his first collegiate start, Fisher completed 4-of-5 pass attempts for 51 yards. Sophomore tight end Byron Gettis (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) had all four receptions for McKendree. Ducey was 20-of-40 for St. Ambrose for 193 yards. Hayward had a team-high eight receptions for 89 yards.
The Bearcats will return to action next Saturday at home against William Penn University. Kickoff for the MSFA Midwest League game will be at 1:30 p.m. at Leemon Field.
-McK-
