‘Ridiculously proud’: QU shuts out Fontbonne to win inaugural sprint football contest

ST. LOUIS — A defense that allowed just three first downs and an offense getting a boost from an area product made it a memorable debut for the Quincy University sprint football program.

Taylor Klusmeyer, a Unity graduate who originally signed with the QU football program as a quarterback in 2018, scored on a 2-yard run in the first quarter as the Hawks beat Fontbonne 7-0 at the SLUH Field in the first Midwest Sprint Football League contest.

“Ridiculously proud,” QU coach Conner McLaughlin said after his team’s first victory.

A defense that barely bent and never broke put the Hawks in this position.

Fontbonne averaged just 2.6 yards per carry, completed just 5 of 13 passes with two interceptions and finished 0 for 9 on third down and 0 for 2 on fourth down.

“We knew going into it that our defense could be something special,” McLaughlin said. “They had to bail us out more than one time today.”

Quincy’s initial offensive possession lasted 15 plays spanning 77 yards and chewed up 8 minutes, 56 seconds before Klusmeyer scored on fourth and goal. Quincy Notre Dame product Ethan Beroiza kicked the extra point.

Klusmeyer led the Hawks with 73 yards rushing and he completed 13 of 28 passes for 93 yards. Camden Pye caught six catches for 60 yards. Jaree Jones and Ray Linguard led the QU defense with seven tackles apiece, while Palmyra product Landyn Smith had four tackles and an interception.

“They deserve this and we’re very excited for them,” McLaughlin said.

The Hawks travel to Saint Mary of the Woods College next week before making their home debut October 1 against Bellarmine.

“We always talked about it wasn’t ourselves. It was about the conference first,” McLaughlin said. “I’m hoping to go and see the scores of the rest of the games. If this is an indication of what the conference is going to be, we’re going to really do a lot of great things.”