HAMMOND, Ind. – Playing in the post season for the first time in the program's D2 Era, the McKendree University Bearcats came up just short against the Ashland University Eagles in the America's Crossroad's Bowl on Friday, December 1st by the score of 23-20.
The Eagles would strike first six minutes into the contest on a 53 yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0. The next Ashland drive, Ethan Young picked off the pass from Trevor Bycznski to set the Bearcats up in good field position. Three plays later, Eddie Clark tied the game at 7 on the one-yard run up the middle.
Ashland would take the lead middle of the 2nd quarter after a drive that spanned six minutes. The Bearcats battled back once more. Caleb Fisher found Brylan Apholone from nine yards out to tie the contest at 14. With time winding down in the first half, Ethan Young would pick off his second pass of the evening, this time returning it for a touchdown from 75 yards out to make it a 20-14 game.
The majority of the 2nd half was quiet on both sides of the ball. With 2 minutes left in the contest, Ashland would take the lead for a third and final time as Bycznski threw his 3rd TD pass of the evening. The Eagles capped off the scoring with a safety in the final 30 seconds of the game.
McKendree finishes the 2023 season with an overall record of 5-6 (5-2 GLVC).
