(SAN ANGELO, Texas., Aug. 31)—The McKendree University football team opened its 2017 season Thursday evening with a 42-2 loss in non-conference action at Angelo State University in Texas.
 
The host Rams scored on their first two offensive possessions and never looked back to avenge a 33-19 loss to the Bearcats in last season's opener for both squads at Leemon Field. Angelo State limited McKendree to just 127 yards of total offense in Thursday's contest.
 
"We opened up against a very good football team this evening, and they showed it in all phases of the game," said McKendree head football coach Mike Babcock, who began his fifth season at the helm of the Bearcats' program Thursday evening. "We knew we needed to play well and capitalize on chances that they gave us. We had a great opportunity to build some momentum after we scored on the safety, but they held strong, got the ball back and scored. We knew we were in a battle after that, but I didn't see our guys give up. That's the most important thing, especially in the first game of the season."
 
Angelo State took the opening kickoff and needed just three plays and 52 seconds to score for an early 7-0 advantage. Josh Stevens – who was a 1,000-yard rusher a year ago – took a handoff and swept down the left sideline for a 53-yard touchdown run. Despite being stopped on the ensuing possession, McKendree was able to capitalize on a Rams' miscue to post its only points of the contest.
 
Sophomore Monte Wolke (Sigel, IL/Cumberland) boomed a punt to the Angelo State four-yard line, which was fielded by Tashani Bibbs. He was stripped of the football by McKendree junior linebacker John Alvin, and the ball bounced into the end zone. The Rams managed to recover the loose ball, but the resulting safety helped the Bearcats trim the deficit to 7-2.
 
After McKendree's drive stalled following the free kick, Angelo State proceeded to march down the field and extended its advantage to 14-2. Quarterback Jake Faber threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Donovan Thompson and the point after gave the Rams a 12-point cushion midway through the opening period.
 
Angelo State added a touchdown in the early stages of the second quarter to extend its margin to 21-2. The Rams continued to pull away in the second half with two more scores in the third quarter and one more tally with just over nine minutes remaining.
 
Junior quarterback Reece Metcalf (Mount Carmel, IL/Mount Carmel) completed 16-of-28 pass attempts for 124 yards before leaving in the third quarter. Senior Brendan Fred connected on 5-of-13 passes for 16 yards. Metcalf and Fred combined to complete passes to 10 different McKendree receivers. Senior wide receiver Derrick Curry (Glen Ellyn, IL/Montini Catholic) – a three-year performer at defensive back before moving to the offensive side of the ball in the spring – led the receiving corps with six catches.
 
Making his first collegiate start at middle linebacker, sophomore Ricco Gipson (Godfrey, IL/Alton) registered a game-high 12 tackles to show the way for McKendree. Gipson had three tackles for loss against Angelo State, including a pair of quarterback sacks. Senior linebacker Kyle Kirkpatrick (Bethalto, IL/Civic Memorial) added eight stops, while senior linebacker Austin Weltha (Bloomington, IL/Bloomington) was in on seven tackles for the Bearcats.

McKendree will host Kentucky State University next Saturday (Sept. 9) in the Bearcats' 2017 home opener at Leemon Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.