BOX SCORE
(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 10)—Despite erasing a 14-point deficit in the second half, the McKendree University football team was defeated in its 2011 season opener by Malone University on Saturday at Leemon Field, 30-27.
Nick Allison kicked a 35-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give the Pioneers the victory. It was Allison's second attempt at a game-winning field goal – his first try from 40 yards out was wide left, but McKendree was flagged for running into the kicker to give Malone another opportunity.
The defeat overshadowed a record-setting performance for McKendree senior quarterback Austin Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) (Washington, Ill./Washington), who completed 27-of-49 pass attempts for 299 yards. All three statistics set new Bearcat game records. Fisher also tossed three touchdown passes in the effort.
"You could tell it was their second game of the year compared to our first game of the year,” said McKendree head coach Carl Poelker after the game. “(Malone) was able to iron out some of the wrinkles they saw in their first game, while we were still trying to work on things. But I thought as a whole we got better as the game wore on. The offense started to get in sync, our defense started making some plays in the second half, and the kicking game really got better throughout the game.”
McKendree trailed 21-7 after Malone scored on its initial possession of the second half, and 27-17 with 6:29 to play, but the Bearcats rallied to tie the game in the final minute of play. A 39-yard field goal from junior kicker Josh Pruitt (Orlando, FL/Boone) (Orlando, Fla./Boone) with 3:10 remaining helped bring McKendree within 27-20. After the Bearcats' defense forced a three-and-out on the Pioneers' next possession, McKendree started its final drive of the game at its own 25-yard line with 2:27 left.
Fisher went to work, completing five passes for 72 yards on the drive, including a five-yard strike to senior tight end Jacob Strausbaugh (Belleville, IL/Belleville East) (Belleville, Ill./Belleville East) on a fourth-down play with 44 seconds remaining to bring McKendree within a point. Pruitt's point after tied the score at 27-27.
Malone returned the ensuing kickoff to its 43-yard line. The Pioneers reached the Bearcats' 38-yard line, and with four seconds left to play, quarterback Will Szpor lofted a pass towards' the end zone. Sophomore defensive back Michael Romshek (Gibson City, IL/Gibson City-Melvin Sibley) (Gibson City, Ill./Gibson City-Melvin Sibley) intercepted the pass and it appeared the game was heading to overtime. However, the Bearcats were flagged for a late hit on Szpor, and the 15-yard penalty put the ball at the McKendree 23-yard line.
Allison's field goal attempt from 40 yards out wobbled wide left, but the running into the kicker penalty gave Allison another chance from 35 yards away. This time he split the uprights to move Malone to 2-0 on the season.
The Pioneers built a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter, a lead that stood until the closing minutes of the first half. Fisher capped a six-play, 81-yard drive when he connected with senior wide receiver Myron Hicks (Sauk Village, IL/Bloom Trail) (Sauk Village, Ill./Bloom Trail) on a 23-yard scoring strike. Pruitt's extra point with 1:32 on the clock brought the Bearcats within 14-7.
McKendree's next score came with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter when Fisher hooked up with Strausbaugh on a 29-yard TD pass to rally the Bearcats within 21-14. Pruitt's first field goal of the day, a 35-yarder, sliced the deficit to 21-17 with 6:43 on the clock. However, Malone's Justin McLean took the ensuing kickoff and raced 99 yards for a score to build the Pioneers' lead back to 27-17.
McKendree outgained Malone in total offense, 459-358, including a margin of 418-248 over the final three quarters of play. Fisher connected with 10 different receivers in his record-setting effort. His favorite targets were Strausbaugh and Hicks, who each had five catches. Hicks boosted his career total to 69 receptions, which is one behind Byron Gettis (Cahokia, Ill./Cahokia) for the Bearcats' career mark.
“Our offensive line really came around in the second half,” said Poelker. “They were picking up the blitzes and did the work up front. And Austin made some plays and hit on a couple of big throws. He showed composure and didn't try to force the issue. That fourth-down throw (on the final touchdown to Strausbaugh) summed it all up.”
Sophomore fullback Stephen Wallace (Chester, IL/Chester) (Chester, Ill./Chester) led the McKendree rushing attack with 59 yards on seven carries, while senior running back Erik Fohne (Pocahontas, IL/Greenville) (Pocahontas, Ill./Greenville) chipped in with 43 yards on 11 attempts.
Defensively, senior linebacker Brandon Nigro (New Lenox, IL/Lincoln-Way Central) (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) registered a career-high 15 tackles to lead the way for McKendree. Romshek finished with seven tackles and added a first-half interception, while junior defensive back Tirell Anderson (Decatur, IL/MacArthur) (Decatur, Ill./MacArthur) and senior linebacker Jason Rejfek (Arlington Heights, IL/John Hersey) (Arlington Heights, Ill./John Hersey) each added six tackles.
McKendree will be on the road for the first time in 2011 next Saturday (Sept. 17) for a contest at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Ind.) Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT and will be broadcast live on the Bearcat Sports Network at www.mckbearcats.com.
