Hawks’ offense unable to offset another dismal defensive effort in home finale

QUINCY — Until the Quincy University football team figures out how to slow an opposing offense, it doesn’t matter how efficient the Hawks are themselves.

Saturday was a prime example.

In the final home game of the 2021 season, the Hawks rushed for a season-high 312 yards, averaged 5.7 yards per carry and churned out 513 yards of total offense. Yet, it wasn’t enough to end their string of misery defensively.

Southwest Baptist threw for 408 yards, finished with 560 yards and led by 23 points early in the fourth quarter before salting away a 47-31 victory in Great Lakes Valley Conference action at QU Stadium. It was Quincy’s fifth straight loss, a stretch in which the Hawks have allowed 50 points and 531.8 yards per game.

The Hawks trailed 26-14 at halftime and were down 26-17 after Michael Klotz booted a 30-yard field goal just 2:27 into the second half. However, the Bearcats turned a nine-point game into a three-touchdown lead with a couple of blitzkrieg drives.

SBU used just four plays to go 64 yards for an Eric Knight 1-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. On the next possession, the Bearcats went 90 yards in five plays, needing just 1:47 to get Gage Anderson’s 3-yard scoring pass from Cooper Callis for a 40-17 lead after the first play of the fourth quarter.

An eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive ended with Knight’s 7-yard touchdown run to cement the Bearcats’ victory.

Callis completed 30 of 42 passes for 408 yards with four TDs, while QU quarterback Tionne Harris completed 16 of 25 passes for 201 yards and three scores. Taylor Temple rushed for 176 yards on 20 carries to lead the Hawks, while Tremayne Lee had 87 yards on 14 carries.

Quincy (3-7, 1-5 GLVC) will close the regular season at William Jewell at 1 p.m. next Saturday.