(SBU Sports Information)
LEBANON, Ill. — The Southwest Baptist University football team fell at McKendree on Saturday afternoon 28-7. With the loss the Bearcats drop to 2-3 (1-2 GLVC) on the season.
On the opening drive of the game, Southwest Baptist marched down the field inside the McKendree redzone but came up empty on a missed 36-yard field goal. McKendree answered back on the following drive with an 80-yard drive resulting in the game’s first score as SBU trailed 7-0. The two squads locked down on defense for the remainder of the first quarter as Southwest Baptist trailed 7-0 after one quarter of action. McKendree added two touchdowns in the second quarter as Southwest Baptist went into the break trailing 21-0.
Opening up the second half Southwest Baptist had two big defensive stops, including an interception from Malek Butler, before the offense went to work in their second offensive possession of the half. TJ Edwards hit Kendrick Payne for 11 yards, Jerminic Smith for 19 yards, Payne again for 9 yards, while also picking up 15 yards with his feet, before finding Payne in the endzone for a 6-yard touchdown pass as Southwest Baptist cut into the McKendree lead at 21-7. McKendree added a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, and Southwest Baptist was unable to put any more points on the board as SBU eventually fell 28-7.
Quinlan Gaines registered a team high 12 tackles, while Tyler Curts and Brycen Gagnon added 9 tackles a piece. TJ Edwards threw for 186 yards and a score while Chris Robb led SBU with 66 yards on 8 receptions.
The Bearcats will return to action on Saturday, October 6 when they travel to Truman State for the NCAA Division II Showcase Game of the Week. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. from Kirksville, Missouri.
