(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 8)—Sophomore running back Tommy Gayfield (St. Louis, Mo./Mehlville) (St. Louis, Mo./Mehlville) rushed for a career-high 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns to help lead the McKendree University football team to a 38-0 victory Saturday at home against Olivet Nazarene University.
The Bearcats rushed for a season-high 381 yards and registered a season high in points collect their fourth win in their last five games. Defensively, McKendree forced seven turnovers, including three interceptions, and recorded their first shutout of 2008. The Bearcats are now 5-4 overall and 4-2 in Mid-States Football Association Midwest League play and will close out its 2008 season next Saturday at home against Iowa Wesleyan College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
McKendree accomplished something on Saturday that an Olivet Nazarene opponent has failed to do since 1989. The Bearcats held the Tigers without a point, ending a streak of 211 games in which Olivet Nazarene has scored in a contest. McKendree nearly ended Olivet Nazarene's streak at 186 games back in 2006, but the Tigers scored with just five seconds remaining in a 37-7 Bearcat victory at Leemon Field.
All five McKendree touchdowns came on the ground. Junior fullback Joe Beimfohr (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) opened the scoring late in the first quarter with a 12-yard touchdown run. Junior Jordan Fark (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) kicked the point after to give the Bearcats a 7-0 lead.
Gayfield scored both of his touchdowns in the second quarter, the first coming on a 48-yard run down the right sideline. His second score of the period came on an 18-yard burst with 3:44 left until halftime, giving McKendree a 21-0 lead at the intermission.
Senior running back George Smith (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) made it 28-0 with a one-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter. It was Smith's 25th career rushing touchdown, moving him past Daryle Jones into sole possession of second place on the Bearcats' all-time list for rushing touchdowns. Jarrod Karnes in the Bearcats' career leader with 27.
Smith finished the day with 44 yards to take over second place on McKendree's all-time rushing list. Smith pushed his career total to 2,250, overtaking Brandon Murphy, who had 2,239 yards while playing at McKendree from 1997-2000.
Fark added his first career field goal, a 36-yarder late in the third quarter, and junior running back Terrance Greer (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) broke loose for a 32-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter to round out the scoring on the day.
Olivet Nazarene (3-7, 2-4 MSFA Midwest) nearly kept its long streak intact, driving down to the Bearcats' two-yard line on its final drive of the game. Facing a fourth-and-inches, McKendree freshman linebacker Brandon Nigro (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way Central) (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) forced a fumble by Marshall Fraley at the line of scrimmage, which was recovered by the Tigers' Nick Darland back at the four-yard line with just over three minutes left.
Senior linebacker Reece McCall (Weirsdale, Fla./Lake Weir) (Weirsdale, Fla./Lake Weir) led McKendree with 11 tackles. Junior defensive back Luke Arnold (Bloomington, Ind./Edgewood) (Bloomington, Ind./Edgewood) enjoyed a big day with 10 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Sophomore defensive lineman Craig Zurliene (Fairfield, Ill./Fairfield) (Fairfield, Ill./Fairfield) added nine stops for the Bearcats, while junior linebacker Tim Ladd (Chillocothe, Ill./Illinois Valley Central) (Chillicothe, Ill./Illinois Valley Central) collected a pair of fumble recoveries on special teams.
Fraley rushed for a game-high 151 yards on 40 carries to lead Olivet Nazarene.
-McK-
