(FOREST CITY, Iowa, Oct. 16)—The McKendree University football team rolled up 470 yards in total offense on its way to a 54-7 victory Saturday at Waldorf College.

The Bearcats built a 37-0 halftime lead and never looked back to earn the road win in Mid-States Football Association-Midwest League play. McKendree, the No. 19 team in the NAIA, improves to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the MSFA Midwest League.

McKendree bounced back strong from a 28-24 defeat last Saturday at the University of St. Francis, where the Bearcats held a 21-7 lead entering the fourth quarter.

“I was proud of our guys to shake off last week's game, come out and take care of business early today,” said McKendree head coach Carl Poelker. “They didn't look at the scoreboard and didn't put it on cruise. I thought we played 60 minutes of football today. That's what we needed.”

McKendree spread the wealth on offense as six different players scored a touchdown at Waldorf. Five of the scores came on the ground, where the Bearcats piled up 328 yards on the day. McKendree also registered a defensive touchdown when freshman cornerback Ryan Keen (Country Club Hills, IL/Hillcrest) (Country Club Hills, Ill./Hillcrest) stepped in front of a pass and raced 75 yards for a score just before halftime.

Senior running back Marlone Chenault (Bellwood, Ill./Proviso East) (Bellwood, Ill./Proviso East) led the Bearcats' rushing attack with 98 yards on just seven carries, including a 46-yard TD run early in the second quarter. Senior running back Jimmy Berezik (Fraser, Mich./De La Salle) (Fraser, Mich./De La Salle) added 76 yards on 10 attempts and added a 42-yard touchdown reception from junior quarterback Austin Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) (Washington, Ill./Washington). Fisher was 9-of-17 for 133 yards at Waldorf.

Senior kicker Jordan Fark (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) booted a pair of field goals, including a 28-yarder on the opening drive of the contest to give McKendree a 3-0 lead. Senior fullback Joe Beimfohr (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) (Nashville, Ill./Nashville) scored on a three-yard run later in the first quarter to boost the Bearcats' lead to 10-0.

McKendree's defense then held Waldorf (1-6, 0-4 MSFA Midwest) on its next drive and with the wind at the Bearcats' back, called successive timeouts to give the offense one more drive with just over a minute left in the period. After getting the ball at midfield following a punt, McKendree needed just two plays to take advantage as Fisher and Berezik hooked up for the 42-yard score, extending the Bearcats' lead to 17-0 heading into the second quarter.

“We have done that in the past, and we made the decision to go for it again,” said Poelker. “Austin threw a great ball and it gave Jimmy a chance to get there. I think it helped us really take the momentum.”

Chenault's 46-yard TD run was the first of three scores in the second quarter for McKendree. Junior running back Chris Montgomery (Avondale, AZ/Mascoutah) (Avondale, Ariz./Mascoutah) capped a 12-play, 79-yard drive with an eight-yard scoring run with 5:09 left until halftime. Then, on Waldorf's next possession, Keen stepped in front of a Roc Hobbs pass and took it up the right sideline 75  yards for a score that gave the Bearcats a 37-point advantage at the intermission.

“It was nice to see the play develop,” said Keen. “(Hobbs) went to throw an out pattern and he floated the ball a little. That gave me time to step in front. There were a couple of great blocks out in front that allowed me to score, but it was great to be able to contribute in that way.”

Fark started the second-half scoring for McKendree with a 47-yard field goal on the Bearcats' first drive of the second half. Montgomery added his second touchdown of the day on a seven-yard run two minutes into the fourth quarter for a 47-0 lead. Senior reserve quarterback Blake Novack (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) provided the Bearcats' final points of the day when he scored on a five-yard quarterback keeper on a fourth-down play.

Waldorf broke up the Bearcats' shutout bid with just 3:09 left on a two-yard run by Bryce Rusler. The score marked the Warriors' first points in two meetings with McKendree. The Bearcats won last year's matchup 66-0 at Leemon Field.

The Bearcats' defense held Waldorf to just 148 yards of total offense. McKendree, which leads the NAIA in quarterback sacks, recorded four sacks in the victory. Junior defensive lineman J.T. Smith (Clinton, Ill./Clinton) (Clinton, Ill./Clinton) led the Bearcats' defensive effort with eight tackles, while sophomore defensive end Tim Weidenbacher (Naperville, IL/Naperville North) (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) added seven stops.

McKendree finally returns to Leemon Field next Saturday for an MSFA Midwest League showdown with William Penn University. The Statesmen, who are currently ranked No. 12 in the NAIA, are undefeated at 7-0 and lead the MSFA Midwest with a perfect 4-0 record. Kickoff for the Bearcats' Homecoming contest is set for 1:30 p.m.