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McKENDREE GAME NOTES
NORTHWOOD GAME NOTES(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 18)--The McKendree University football team will make its longest road trip of the 2014 season when it heads to Michigan to take on Northwood University. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET (12 Noon CT) at Hantz Stadium in Midland, Mich. The game will be carried live on the Bearcat Sports Network (www.mckbearcats.com/watch) with the pre-game show beginning 30 minutes prior to kickoff.
McKendree -- Last Time Out...The Bearcats nearly overcame a 20-point deficit in the first half in a 37-28 loss last Saturday at the University of Findlay.
Isaac Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) completed 21-of-41 pass attempts for 219 yards with three touchdowns. Fisher connected with
Dewayne Gatti (Pasadena, CA/Bonita) seven times for 165 yards. Gatti had two of the Bearcats' three TD receptions, with the other going to
Tyler Brewer (Arnold, MO/Fox). Fisher also rushed for a team-leading 29 yards on nine carries. Defensively, McKendree was led by
A.J. Wentland (Machesney Park, IL/Harlem) and
Alec Gerdes (Normal, IL/Normal) who each posted 11 tackles against the Oilers.
Harrison Skokos (Bradenton, FL/Lakewood Ranch) contributed nine tackles and also forced a fumble, while Jarbaree Winston helped out with eight stops.
Northwood -- Last Time Out...The Timberwolves opened their home season last Saturday with a 27-7 loss to Ferris State University in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest. Mitch Robinson was 6-of-11 in the passing department for 58 yards. Robinson also scored the only touchdown of the day for Northwood on a one-yard run in the fourth quarter. Jared Briguglio rushed for a team-high 165 yards on 28 carries. Dan Richmond and Devonta Elzy each caught three passes in the outing for the Timberwolves. Mike Keith and Michael Fisher paced the Northwood defense with 11 tackles apiece. Patrick Kelly added eight stops in the loss.
The Series -- McKendree vs. NorthwoodSaturday's game will mark the first meeting on the gridiron between the Bearcats and Timberwolves.
What's NextMcKendree will begin the Great Lakes Valley Conference portion of its 2014 schedule next Saturday (Sept. 27) when Saint Joseph's College comes to town for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Leemon Field.
BEARCAT TRACKS...BEARCATS vs. THE STATE OF MICHIGAN: This is McKendree's second game all-time against a team from the state of Michigan, with the other coming 16 days ago at home against Ferris State. The Bearcats dropped a 75-14 decision at Leemon Field in the 2014 season opener.
ROAD WARRIORS: The Bearcats' visit to Northwood marks the team's longest road trip for the 2014 regular season. McKendree will travel approximately 552 miles (one-way) for today's contest.
A NATURAL STATE...: Northwood will be one of two fields where the Bearcats will play on natural grass during the 2014 season. The other game for McKendree on a grass surface will come on Nov. 8 with a visit ot Lincoln University.
SAYING FAREWELL TO THE GLIAC: Today's game with Northwood marks the last of three consecutive non-conference games for McKendree against teams from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Bearcats opened the season Sept. 4 at home against Ferris State University, and played at the University of Findlay last Saturday.
A FULL CIRCLE, SORT OF...: Although this will be the third weekend of NCAA Division II play, both McKendree and Northwood already have a common opponent this season in Ferris State. Both schools played the Bulldogs at home, with McKendree falling 75-14 while the Timberwolves dropped a 27-7 decision last Saturday at Lantz Stadium.
DOUBLING UP: McKendree has reached double figures in the scoring column in 160 of its last 171 games.
21 AND OVER: McKendree sports a 105-20 record when scoring at least 21 points in a game. The Bearcats are 81-16 in their last 97 contests when reaching the 21-point mark.
HERRING HITS 1,000-YARD MILESTONE: Senior running back
Ryan Herring (Fairview Heights, IL/Belleville East) has become the 18th player in program history to rush for 1,000 career yards. He enters today's contest with 1,103 yards at McKendree. Herring currently sits in 15th place on the Bearcats' career rushing list. The next three players on the Bearcats' career rushing list are:
12) Dominique Jones -- 1,344 yards
13) Jason Yelton -- 1,255 yards
14) Jason Jackson -- 1,241 yards
GATTI CATCHING UP ON CAREER CHARTS: Senior wide receiver
Dewayne Gatti (Pasadena, CA/Bonita) is now within striking distance of the top spot for three of McKendree's career records. Gatti enters today's game with Northwood second on the Bearcats' list for career receptions with 75, and needs six to pass Myron Hicks for the all-time mark. He also sits in third place on the career list for receiving yards with 1,040. Hicks holds the record with 1,227 yards, while Brett Gross is second with 1,196 yards. Gatti is currently third all-time at McKendree for receiving touchdowns with nine. Gross had 12 receiving TDs during his Bearcats' career, while Byron Gettis is second with 10.
FISHER FACTS: Junior quarterback
Isaac Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) currently sits in second place on the Bearcats' career passing list forf attempts (527), completions (308), yards (3,409) and touchdowns (28). He trails his older brother Austin for the top spot on the all-time list.
THIS DATE IN BEARCAT FOOTBALL HISTORY
Sept. 13, 2003McKendree held Taylor University to just 115 yards of total offense, including minus-three yards rushing, to push its record to 3-0 with a 34-0 victory at Leemon Field. The Bearcats also had eight quarterback sacks and did not allow the Trojans to cross the McKendree 40-yard line the entire afternoon. There were 11 different players who had at least one rushing attempt for McKendree as the team piled up 368 yards on the ground. Daryle Jones had a team-high 95 yards as the Bearcats broke open a 7-0 halftime lead with 27 second-half points. Deveon Moss added 11 tackles while Cory Wilson notched 10 stops in the win for McKendree.
Sept. 13, 1997The Bearcats collected 426 yards of total offense in a 42-21 win at Leemon Field against Saint Xavier University. McKendree overcame a 14-0 deficit after one quarter thanks to a big second half, outscoring the Cougars 36-7 in the final 30 minutes of play. Rory O'Connell started the comeback with a 91-yard interception return for a score while Brett Gross hauled in a pair of long touchdown passes from Jason Karnes in the effort. Louis Harden rushed for a game-high 111 yards on 17 carries for the Bearcats. Mike Garavalia led the defensive charge with nine tackles while Chris Luth helped out with eight stops. The triumph marked the start of a seven-game win streak that helped propel McKendree to its first-ever NAIA Football Championship Series berth.
