(JOLIET, Ill., Nov. 1)—The McKendree University football team overcame a 13-point first-half deficit to post a 14-13 victory Saturday on the road at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Ill.
Junior fullback Joe Beimfohr (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) scored on a one-yard run in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, and the Bearcats' defense shut down the host Fighting Saints in the final period to win for the third time in four games. McKendree improves to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League.
“We got off to a slow start today, but things really picked up as the game went along,” said McKendree head coach Carl Poelker. “We were back on our heels a little bit, but as we got into the flow, you could see the confidence starting to build. We defeated a good football team today and we had to work hard to get it.”
McKendree was able to hand St. Francis (6-3, 2-3 MSFA Midwest) its first home loss in six games this season. The Bearcats also kept their perfect record against the Fighting Saints intact with their 10th consecutive win over St. Francis.
The Fighting Saints built a 13-0 lead midway through the second quarter thanks to a 13-yard touchdown pass from John Goolsby to Jason Fiske and a pair of field goals by Nick Heberer. It appeared that St. Francis would take that lead into the half when it started a drive at its own seven-yard line with 1:52 left until intermission. The Fighting Saints fumbled on first down, and freshman defensive lineman Brock Pflasterer (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) recovered the loose ball at the St. Francis six-yard line.
Four plays later, senior running back George Smith (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) bowled into the end zone from three yards out, and junior kicker Jordan Fark (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) added the extra point to bring McKendree within 13-7.
“That (score) was big,” said Poelker. “St. Francis could have run out the clock and the half, but we were able to capitalize and get a little bit of momentum back.”
Late in the third quarter, with McKendree backed up at its own 20-yard line on fourth down, junior Bret Dougherty (Orlando, Fla./Boone) (Orlando, Fla./Boone) unleashed a career-long 67-yard punt to pin St. Francis at its 14-yard line. After the drive stalled, freshman wide receiver Robby Mosher (Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart-Griffin) (Springfield, Ill./Sacred Heart-Griffin) fielded a punt and returned it 30 yards to the Fighting Saints' 16-yard line.
On the second play of the fourth quarter, Beimfohr posted his one-yard scoring run, and Fark's extra point gave McKendree a 14-13 advantage. From there, the Bearcats' defense went to work, holding St. Francis in check over the final quarter. McKendree allowed the Fighting Saints just 40 yards of offense in the fourth period, forced another turnover, and stopped St. Francis on a fourth-down play near midfield with just under a minute to play when junior linebacker Heath Bohannon (Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves) (Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves) tackled Donte Villery on a pass play three yards shy of the first-down marker.
Smith led the Bearcats with 53 yards rushing on 15 carries. Now with 2,216 career yards, Smith moved to within 23 yards of tying Brandon Murphy for second place on McKendree's all-time rushing list. Beimfohr chipped in with 33 yards on 11 attempts. Freshman quarterback Austin Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) (Washington, Ill./Washington) completed 7-of-12 pass attempts for 73 yards.
Junior defensive back Antonio Greer (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) led the Bearcats' defensive effort with 10 tackles, while freshman linebacker Brandon Nigro (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way Central) (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) and senior defensive back Ryan Klier (Newton, Ill./Newton) (Newton, Ill./Newton) each added nine stops. Nigro also had one of the Bearcats' two sacks in the contest.
McKendree will be at home for its final two games of the 2008 season, beginning with next Saturday's MSFA Midwest League contest against Olivet Nazarene University. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Leemon Field.
-McK-
