(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 12)—Senior fullback Joe Beimfohr (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) rushed for a career-high 129 yards and added a pair of touchdowns as the McKendree University football team posted a 21-17 victory Saturday at Leemon Field against Marian University.
Beimfohr's one-yard scoring run with just 1:23 to go until halftime tied the game at 7-7, and his two-yard burst on the opening drive of the second half put the Bearcats in front to stay. McKendree has won its last two games to improve to 2-1 overall, while Marian slips to 1-1.
Sophomore quarterback Austin Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) (Washington, Ill./Washington) completed 7-of-13 pass attempts for 112 yards and accounted for McKendree's other touchdown of the contest on a 26-yard scramble midway through the third quarter. Junior tight end Byron Gettis (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) caught four passes for 95 yards, including a 63-yard reception down to the Marian four-yard line that set up Beimfohr's second TD run of the game.
McKendree had three fumbles in the first half, one of which set up the first score of the day for Marian. Rapheal Williams picked up a loose ball at the Bearcats' 22-yard line and returned it 20 yards down to the two-yard line. Three plays later, Matt Rogers scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak and the point after gave the Knights a 7-0 advantage.
The Bearcats then turned the tables on Marian late in the first half, taking advantage of a Knights' turnover to get on the scoreboard. After a fumble recovery by sophomore linebacker Reggie Cloyd (Danville, IL/Danville) (Danville, Ill./Danville), McKendree drove 67 yards in nine plays, capped by Beimfohr's two-yard scoring run. The extra point by senior kicker Jordan Fark (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) tied the game at 7-7 with just 83 seconds left until halftime.
After a penalty before the first play of the third quarter, Fisher connected over the middle with Gettis on the 63-yard pass play down to the Marian four-yard line. Two plays later, Beimfohr added his second TD run of the day, giving McKendree the lead at 14-7. Later in the quarter, Fisher broke free of two tackles down the right sideline for a 26-yard touchdown run to give McKendree a 14-point bulge.
Marian answered on its next drive with a one-yard TD run by Nick Bradford, cutting the margin to 21-14. The Knights drew closer at 21-17 after a 15-play drive culminated with a 30-yard field goal by Martin Waddick. McKendree's next drive stalled, but a 50-yard punt by senior Bret Dougherty (Orlando, Fla./Boone) (Orlando, Fla./Boone) pinned Marian back at its own six-yard line with 3:06 remaining. Senior defensive back Derrick Quals (North Hills, Calif./Chaminade) (North Hills, Calif./Chaminade) ended the drive with an interception at the Knights' 25-yard line just over a minute later. From there, Beimfohr helped seal the win for McKendree with four straight carries that resulted in two first downs.
Defensively, McKendree forced four turnovers by Marian. Junior defensive back Antonio Greer (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) led the effort with 12 tackles, including nine solos. Senior defensive back Jon Malandrucco (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) (Jacksonville, Fla./Bartram Trail) added seven tackles and an interception, while Cloyd also had seven tackles.
McKendree will open Mid-States Football Association Midwest League play next Saturday (Sept. 19) at Iowa Wesleyan College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
-McK-
