Deep six: Harris throws for record-setting six TDs as Hawks rebound by overwhelming Trojans

QUINCY — Tionne Harris tried the best he could to not allow himself to break into a smile.

Better luck next time.

“Six touchdowns … yeah, that’s pretty cool,” Quincy University’s junior quarterback finally admitted, with an ear-to-ear grin punctuating what had been a record-setting performance.

The 5-foot-8 junior threw a Hawks record six touchdown passes — all in the first half — to lead Quincy to a 53-14 victory over Trinity International, an NAIA school in Deerfield, Ill., on a balmy Thursday evening at QU Stadium.

Many of the QU regulars, including Harris, only played the first half. The Hawks (1-1) led 53-0 early in the third quarter and were content to run the ball — and the clock — most of the final two periods against winless Trinity (0-2).

“Our receivers and offensive line were just great,” Harris said. “I couldn’t have (set the record) without them.”

QU coach Gary Bass said Harris has picked up where he left off a year ago when he threw for a school-record 26 touchdowns. Bass and the Hawks staff have been patient with Harris since he arrived at QU following a standout career at Vianney, one of five powerhouse programs in the Metro Catholic Conference in and around St. Louis.

Harris left Vianney having passed for 8,175 yards, second all-time in the storied MCC, but he battled inconsistency and injuries his first couple of years at QU and was redshirted another season. 

But Bass’s faith in Harris never wavered.

“We knew what we had,” Bass said. “Last year, he was lights out.”

Thursday’s six touchdown passes upped his career total to 38, which sits second all-time at QU behind Nic Lonergan, who threw 62 from 2012-15.

Harris’s six touchdown throws erase Robbie Kelley (2016) and Bobby Brenneisen (2011) from the QU record book for most TD passes in a game.

There wasn’t much to complain about regarding QU’s performance against Trinity, but Harris said it was not a perfect game for the Hawks, despite having built a 39-0 lead a little more than two minutes into the second quarter.

“I’d give us an A, but not an A-plus,” said Harris, who completed 15 of 21 passes for 300 yards. “We still have some stuff to improve on.”

Bass wanted QU to make a statement, which it obviously did. The Hawks were coming off an embarrassing 44-15 loss to Glenville (W. Va.) State.

“We scored (touchdowns) on six of our first seven drives,” he pointed out.

QU senior wide receiver AJ Hardin, who caught three of Harris’s touchdown passes, said the Hawks could not wait to get back on the field after the loss to Glenville State.

“After last week, we had a bad taste in our mouths, but we came back with a great week of practice,” said Hardin, who caught scoring tosses of 62, 27 and 26 yards and ended with five receptions for 140 yards.

Hardin said he sensed the Hawks were going to roll early in the game.

“When we scored our first touchdown on our second offensive play, we knew we could take those guys,” he said. “We wanted to show that first game was a fluke.”

Quincy held a 410-30 advantage in total offense at intermission, which was more of a truer reflection of the Hawks’ dominance than the final 459-316 yardage counts.

Quincy’s other touchdowns came via 12- and 25-yard receptions by Marlin Washington, a 43-yard catch from Jalen Lawrence, a 23-yard run by Taylor Temple and a 58-yard punt return from Angel Ruiz.

Quincy hits the road for the first time this season when it travels to North Canton, Ohio, to face Walsh next Saturday, and then returns home for a game with Ashland on September 24.