(QUINCY, Ill., Oct. 4)—In a game that came down the final seconds, the McKendree University football team was defeated on the road Saturday afternoon by Quincy University, 20-13.

The host Hawks took the lead for good on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Sam Donatucci to James Bailey with 3:26 remaining, then withstood McKendree's final drive to post the win in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League opener for both teams. McKendree slips to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in MSFA Midwest League play, while Quincy moves to 2-3 on the year and 1-0 in the conference.

“I thought we played a lot better today,” said McKendree football coach Carl Poelker. “I was pleased at how hard we played, and we played hard right up until the final play. The one thing I was not happy about were the mistakes that we made, especially in the penalty department. But it shows we were aggressive, and that's the big thing that stood out.”

McKendree was whistled for 11 penalties in the contest, but the Bearcat still had a chance to tie the game in the closing minute of play. After taking possession at the Quincy 34-yard line with 1:40 left, McKendree picked up a first down and drove to the Hawks' 20. On first down, junior quarterback Dan Loudenslager (Summerfield, Fla./Belleview) (Summerfield, Fla./Belleview) was sacked and lost the football. Senior fullback Steve Moravec (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) (Dupo, Ill./Dupo) recovered the ball at the 27-yard line.

With McKendree out of timeouts, Loudenslager completed a pass to junior wide receiver Mason Williams (Marion, Ill./Marion) (Marion, Ill./Marion) at the Quincy 22, but the Bearcats were unable to convert on third and fourth down in the final seconds. Loudenslager's final pass attempt to Williams was incomplete in the end zone with nine seconds on the clock.

The Bearcats scored on their opening possession, driving 57 yards in six plays. Loudenslager completed both pass attempts on the drive, including a 27-yarder to senior running back Shane McBride (Troy, Ill./Triad) (Troy, Ill./Triad) down to the Hawks' seven-yard line. McBride finished off the drive with a four-yard touchdown run to give McKendree a 7-0 lead just over four minutes into action.

Quincy responded with a 37-yard field goal by Alex Beard on the Hawks' next possession to trim the margin to 7-3. That score stood until late in the first half, when Quincy scored off a fake punt. Quincy backup quarterback heaved a 37-yard touchdown pass to DeShun Smith with 1:21 left until intermission to give the Hawks a 10-7 advantage.

Junior kicker Kevin Kinsall (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) tied the game at10-10 for McKendree midway through the third quarter with the first of his two field goals on the day, a 36-yarder. Beard then followed with a  42-yard field goal to give Quincy a 13-10 lead. In the early stages of the fourth quarter, Kinsall evened the score at 13-13 when his 30-yard field goal try split the uprights.

Senior running back George Smith (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) led McKendree with a game-high 80 yards rushing on 17 carries. Smith moved into third place on the Bearcats' career rushing list, boosting his total to 1,944 yards. He surpassed Louis Harden, who gained 1,874 yards during his McKendree career from 1997-98.

Loudenslager completed 8-of-22 pass attempts for 127 yards. Sophomore tight end Byron Gettis (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) and freshman wide receiver Myron Hicks (Sauk Village, IL/Bloom Trail) (Sauk Village, Ill./Bloom Trail) each caught two passes for the Bearcats.

Junior defensive back Antonio Greer (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) piled up a team-high nine tackles for McKendree, including eight solos. Greer also had the Bearcats' lone interception of the contest. Sophomore lineman Craig Zurliene (Fairfield, Ill./Fairfield) (Fairfield, Ill./Fairfield) added six tackles.

Donatucci completed 23-of-41 passes for 245 yards for Quincy. Running back Corey Williams had a team-high six receptions, while Bailey and Mike James each grabbed five passes.

McKendree will return to action next Saturday at home against Trinity International University. Kickoff for the Bearcats' Homecoming contest will be 1:30 p.m.

-McK-