(ROLLA, Mo., Nov. 16)—The McKendree University football team closed out its 2019 season with a 51-50 loss Saturday afternoon at Missouri S&T.
 
In a game that featured 101 points, 967 yards of total offense, a defensive extra point return and individual records set on both sides, the contest came down to a two-point conversion attempt by the Bearcats on the final play of the game. McKendree scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak by freshman quarterback Turner Pullen (Shelbyville, IL/Shelbyville), but Pullen's pass to senior wide receiver Matt Cole (Chicago, IL/Curie) on the two-point attempt fell incomplete to enable the Miners to escape with the win.
 
McKendree, which battled back from a 21-point halftime deficit, finished its season with an overall record of 5-6 and a 3-4 mark in Great Lakes Valley Conference competition.
 
"I'm proud of the way our guys battled to the end today," said McKendree head football coach Mike Babcock. "We made some adjustments on both sides of the ball and were able to benefit from some big plays to fight back. I'm also proud of the way our seniors showed leadership right up until the finish. They have set the tone for the guys who will lead this team moving forward, and they definitely showed it today."
 
Cole etched his name atop two more career records in his final game at McKendree. He caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Pullen early in the fourth quarter for his 17^th career TD reception, breaking a tie with Cameron James atop the leader board. In addition, Cole had 80 receiving yards at Missouri S&T, giving him 1,618 in four seasons. That helped Cole edge past James (1,614 yards) for the Bearcats' career mark.
 
In addition, Cole became McKendree's single-season leader in all-purpose yards. With 237 combined yards at Missouri S&T, Cole finished with 1,832 yards to break Jimmy Berezik's 2010 mark of 1,729 yards.
 
Junior running back Jace Franklin scored on a seven-yard TD run and sophomore wide receiver Steven Towns, Jr. (Normal, IL/Normal Community), caught a screen pass and weaved his way downfield for a 75-yard touchdown reception from Pullen as McKendree battled Missouri S&T to a 14-14 tie after one quarter of play. The Miners then put up 21 second-quarter points to take a 35-14 lead at halftime.
 
After the Bearcats' defense held Missouri S&T to three-and-out on the first possession of the second half, Cole returned a punt 72 yards down to the Miners' four-yard line. Two plays later, Pullen scored from three yards out to begin the Bearcats' comeback and trim the deficit to 35-21. After a field goal pushed the Missouri S&T lead back to 17 points, freshman running back Jayden Mitchell (St. Louis, MO/Parkway Central) scored on a four-yard burst to bring McKendree within 38-28 with 5:01 remaining in the third quarter.
 
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Missouri S&T's Tershawn Jones scored on a five-yard run to extend the Miners' lead to 44-28. A bad snap on the point after try forced a pass attempt for a two-point conversion, but McKendree senior defensive end Mike Smith intercepted the ball and returned it 85 yards for a defensive two-point conversion to keep things a two-score game at 44-30.
 
Moments later, McKendree took possession at the Miners' 23-yard line following a shanked punt. On the first play of the drive, Pullen connected with Cole on the 23-yard TD that helped the Bearcats edge closer at 44-37. On its next drive, McKendree pulled even at 44-44 when Franklin broke free for a 12-yard TD run and freshman Ryan Kastl (Washington, IL/Washington) tacked on the extra point with 6:58 to play.
 
Missouri S&T (7-4, 4-3 GLVC) answered on its next possession with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Luke Hertzler to Payton McAlister with 3:47 on the clock. McKendree took the kickoff and marched to the Miners' one-yard line with two seconds left. Facing a fourth-and-goal, Pullen took the snap and sneaked into the end zone as time expired, bringing the Bearcats with 51-50. After a timeout, McKendree went for the win and a two-point try. Pullen threw a pass into the flat at the goal line for Cole, but the attempt was broken up to close out the furious comeback bid and the season for the Bearcats.
 
Pullen was 15-of-27 for 283 yards with two touchdown passes to go along with his two TD runs. Eight different receivers caught a pass for the Bearcats, led by Cole's four receptions. Mitchell registered his second 100-yard rushing day of the season, going for 100 yards on 12 carries. 
 
Senior linebacker Kennith Wilson (Chicago, IL/Simeon) led McKendree on the defensive side with 10 tackles. Sophomore defensive back Devon Myles (Chicago, IL/Westinghouse College Prep) added eight stops while sophomore defensive back Kenneth Garrett, Jr. (Memphis, TN/Whitehaven), contributed seven tackles.
 
For the Miners, Jones led all players with 27 carries for 147 rushing yards along with three touchdowns. Jones became the Miners' career rushing leader during the contest.