Box Score (LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 27)—Despite the second record-setting performance by junior quarterback Issac Fisher in as many weeks, the McKendree University football team dropped a 35-33 heartbreaker Saturday evening at home against Saint Joseph's College.
 
Addison Dellinger caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Tate Borlik with just 1:57 to play to help the visiting Pumas rally for the win in the Great Lakes Valley Conference opener for both schools. Saint Joseph's remained undefeated on the year, pushing its record to 4-0, while McKendree slipped to 0-4 overall.
 
Fisher set new game records for the second consecutive weeks in pass attempts and completions. He was 34-for-58 through the air for 344 yards with three touchdown passes. In the process, Fisher eclipsed the McKendree career records for attempts (636), completions (373) and total offensive yards (4,409) previously set by his older brother Austin, who played the Bearcats from 2008-11.  
 
With his 344 passing yards, Fisher became the first quarter in McKendree history to throw for more than 300 yards in consecutive games. In fact, Fisher has all three 300-plus yard efforts for the Bearcats, including a school-record 375 yards last year in a game against Tiffin University.
     
Sophomore wide receiver Tyler Brewer (Arnold, MO/Fox) matched the Bearcats' record for receptions in a contest that was set just last week by senior wide receiver Dewayne Gatti (Pasadena, CA/Bonita). Brewer caught 12 passes against Saint Joseph's for 105 yards, including a 35-yard TD grab with 8:10 to play gave McKendree a 33-29 lead. Gatti had 12 receptions last week the Bearcats' 32-27 loss at Northwood University last Saturday.
 
Offensively, McKendree racked up 500 yards of total offense against Saint Joseph's. In addition to Fisher's heroics through the air, senior running back Ryan Herring (Fairview Heights, IL/Belleville East) collected a game-high 90 yards on the ground, including an electrifying 65-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter when he broke several tackles down the left sidelines.
 
"There were a lot of good signs on both sides of the ball tonight," said McKendree head coach Mike Babcock. "We moved the ball on the ground and Isaac was able to distribute the ball just as effectively as he did last week (at Northwood University). Our defense produced some big plays as well. I thought we really rebounded well on special teams, executing a near-perfect onside kick and blocking a punt for a safety. Our younger guys continue to step up and contribute as well. You can see the signs that we are getting better every week as a football team."
 
McKendree trailed 14-7 in the early stages of the second quarter before reeling off 12 unanswered points to grab its first halftime lead of the season. Sophomore kicker Steven O'Block (Libertyville, IL/Carmel Catholic) brought the Bearcats within 14-10 thanks to a 29-yard field goal. McKendree then caught Saint Joseph's off-guard with an onside kick, and sophomore wide receiver Sean Dowling (Chatham, IL/Glenwood) recovered the effort at the Bearcats' 48-yard line. Nine plays later, Fisher connected with Herring on a 17-yard touchdown pass, and O'Block's point after gave McKendree its first lead of the contest at 17-14.
 
Freshman linebacker Carter Vance (Secor, IL/Eureka) then blocked a Pumas' punt through the back of the end zone for a safety with just 44.9 seconds left until the intermission, extending the McKendree lead to 19-14.
 
Late in the third quarter, Fisher zipped a 10-yard touchdown pass over the middle to senior tight end Reuben Bowlby (Lincoln, IL/Lincoln), stretching the McKendree lead to its largest of the night at 26-14. Saint Joseph's responded by scoring twice to regain a 29-26 early in the fourth quarter. After stopping the next Pumas' drive on a fourth-down play, McKendree drove 52 yards in five plays for its final lead of the game. Fisher completed all three of his pass attempts on the drive, including the TD toss to Brewer scrambling out of the pocket.
 
Fisher added 71 rushing yards against Saint Joseph's, while freshman wide receiver Dustin Walls (Champaign, IL/Centennial) had eight receptions for 100 yards. Junior wide receiver Cameron James (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) contributed six catches in the effort.
 
Senior linebacker Bryce Colvin (East Peoria, IL/East Peoria) notched a season-high 14 tackles to lead the McKendree defense, while sophomore linebacker A.J. Wentland (Machesney Park, IL/Harlem) chipped in with 13 stops. Senior nose guard Cameron Ford (Danville, IL/Danville) registered nine tackles, including 3 ½ for loss with a sack. Senior defensive back Harrison Skokos (Bradenton, FL/Lakewood Ranch) also had nine tackles against the Pumas.
 
For the second straight week, senior linebacker Drake Schmudlach (Carthage, IL/Illini West) recovered a fumble for the Bearcats.