(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 28)—The McKendree University football team turned the combination of a big-play offense and an opportunistic defense to register a 42-35 non-conference victory Saturday afternoon at Leemon Field against Chowan University.
 
Freshman quarterback Turner Pullen (Shelbyville, IL/Shelbyville) had a hand in all six touchdowns for the Bearcats – throwing five TD passes while adding a one-yard scoring plunge with 4:45 remaining that proved to be winning points for McKendree. Senior wide receiver Matt Cole (Chicago, IL/Curie) caught Pullen's three longest scoring passes of the day, finding the end zone from 68, 45 and 63 yards out to help guide the Bearcats to their first win of the 2019 season.
 
Defensively, McKendree (1-3) scored touchdowns following both of its takeaways against the Hawks while adding a key stop of Chowan on fourth down with 2:39 on the clock to help preserve the win.
 
"It was good to see that kind of effort on both sides of the ball today," said McKendree head football coach Mike Babcock. "Turner continues to get more comfortable running the offense each time he steps on the field, and it really showed today. Matt has always had the type of big-play ability he showed this afternoon, and he really made a couple of big-time plays. Defensively, I thought we came out ready to play and took the action to them, particularly in the first half. When we needed that stop at the end, our guys stepped up, and we're going to need that type of effort week in and week out."
 
Pullen finished the day with more touchdown passes (five) than incomplete passes (three) after going 19-of-22 for 344 yards. Cole had 176 receiving yards on his three grabs, posting the second-highest single-game total for a McKendree receiver in program history. Sophomore wide receiver Steven Towns, Jr. (Normal, IL/Normal Community), caught a game-high six passes for 74 yards for the Bearcats.
 
McKendree broke a scoreless tie midway through the first quarter when Pullen threw a 22-yard TD pass to freshman wide receiver Jacob Bachman (Eureka, IL/Eureka). Freshman kicker Ryan Kastl (Washington, IL/Washington) tacked on the point after to stake the Bearcats to a 7-0 advantage. After the defense forced a three-and-out, McKendree needed just four plays to double their lead. Cole took a screen pass from Pullen and weaved his way through the Chowan defense for a 68-yard scoring play. Junior kicker Josh Lazaro's (Bradley, IL/Bradley-Bourbonnais) extra point gave the Bearcats a 14-0 cushion with 4:19 remaining in the opening period.
 
Senior linebacker Jason Bennett, Jr. (Peoria, IL/Peoria), intercepted a Chowan pass on the second play of the second quarter, which eventually led to Pullen's third scoring strike of the afternoon. Pullen capped a 13-play, 70-yard drive with a two-yard TD toss to junior tight end Steven Leadlove (Belleville, IL/Belleville West) to stretch the Bearcats' lead to 21-0. Chowan (1-3) answered with a lengthy scoring drive of their own on the ensuing possession to trim the McKendree lead to 21-7, which stood heading into the locker room at halftime.
 
The teams traded scores throughout the third quarter as Chowan was able to pull within a touchdown. After the Hawks scored on the first drive of the second half to get within 21-14, McKendree used another big play to quickly push the lead back to two scores. Cole made a spectacular grab on a crossing pattern and broke two tackles on his way to a 45-yard touchdown reception, giving the Bearcats a 28-14 advantage. The Hawks came right back with a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive to rally back within 28-21.
     
Two plays following the Chowan score, Pullen threw a deep ball to Cole, who grabbed it and raced 63 yards into the end zone, extending the Bearcats' lead back to 35-21. The Hawks then produced their third straight scoring drive moments later to get back within 35-28.
 
After the Hawks tied the contest at 35-35 with just under 10 minutes to play, McKendree put together its go-ahead score. Pullen went 4-for-4 for 42 yards on the drive, but it was his one-yard quarterback sneak that gave the Bearcats the lead for good at 42-35. Chowan faced a fourth-and-two near midfield on its final drive, but freshman defensive back Drew Crooks (Bloomington, IL/Bloomington) batted away a final pass attempt near the first-down marker. McKendree then picked up one final first down to seal the victory.
 
Junior running back Jace Franklin IV (Sprinfield, IL/Williamsville) posted a team-leading 85 rushing yards on 21 carries. Senior linebacker Kennith Wilson (Chicago, IL/Simeon) led the defensive effort for McKendree with 10 tackles, while Bennett finished with nine stops along with his interception. Sophomore defensive back Devon Myles (Chicago, IL/Westinghouse College Prep) added eight tackles and McKendree's other interception that set up Bachman's touchdown catch in the first quarter.
 
Saturday's win was also the 250^th in McKendree program history. The Bearcats – who first took the gridiron in 1918 – are 250-211-14 all-time. McKendree did not field a football team from 1951 through 1995.