Hawks reach new victory plateau in GLVC play as Dollard, offensive line dazzle in running game

BOLIVAR, Mo. — An unattainable number has finally been reached.

Another is now within sight.

Saturday’s 34-25 victory over Southwest Baptist allowed the Quincy University football team to finish its Great Lakes Valley Conference slate with a 5-3 record, marking the first time since the league added football as a championship sport the Hawks have won more than four league games.

Finishing above .500 in league play also means the Hawks will finish in the top four in the GLVC standings for the first time ever.

“I’ve been a part of a few first-time moments in my career,” first-year QU coach Jason Killday said. “This one is as sweet as the rest of them, I know that.”

It may become sweeter if the Hawks can pick up one more victory.

Quincy (6-3) will close its season next Saturday at Missouri Western. A victory means a seventh victory, the most since the 1994 team finished 8-1. The Hawks have won six games in a season five times in the past 29 seasons.

But it’s the winning record in GLVC play that shows the program is on the right trajectory.

“To have a winning record in conference is something special,” Killday said. “To get five is special, especially for these seniors. These guys have done a lot for the program, so it’s good for them to have that feeling.”

The Hawks had to erase a halftime deficit to do so, and a dominant running game made it happen.

Michael Owens’ 36-yard field goal on the first possession of the third quarter gave Quincy a 20-19 lead, and then Teon Dollard took over. He capped a pair of scoring drives with 1-yard touchdown plunges, but it was his ability to churn out yards that kept those drives alive.

Dollard finished with 236 yards rushing and three touchdowns, the second of which was set up by his career-long 85-yard run.

“I haven’t seen anybody better,” Killday said. “I’m glad he’s ours.”

The gaping holes were the byproduct of the offensive line’s quality play, and the Bearcats’ inability to finish a drive was the byproduct of the defensive line’s dominance.

Quincy finished with 333 yards rushing and averaged 6.4 yards per carry. In fact, the Hawks had 52 carries while Southwest Baptist managed just 54 yards rushing. The Bearcats managed just 2.1 yards per carry.

“Both fronts dominated the line of scrimmage and dominated the game for long stretches,” Killday said.

It took Southwest Baptist out of rhythm. The Bearcats managed just 70 yards of total offense in the second half and 258 yards overall. The Hawks finished with 457 yards of total offense.