McKendree University came into Harms-Eischeid Stadium Saturday night and overcame a double-digit deficit and executed clutch plays to defeat the Peacocks 41-34. Upper Iowa was in need of one stop to seal the game as they led 34-27 with three seconds remaining in regulation. As the clock was winding down to zero, McKendree quarterback Caleb Fisher launched a 21-yard pass to the deep right corner of the endzone which was met by his receiver for a Bearcat touchdown. The extra point was made to send the game into overtime.
The Bearcats started off with the ball at the 25-yard line in the extra period, stringing together three rushing plays to gain them a first down at the 11-yard line. A short three-yard carry up the middle set them up eight yards shy of UIU territory. The Bearcats' quarterback threw a touchdown pass into the left corner of the endzone on the next play to give them the 41-34 advantage.
The Peacocks were unable to get a first down in their overtime possession. They threw two incomplete passes before gaining their only forward momentum in extra time. An eight-yard pass to
Eddie Burgess put Upper Iowa at the MCK 18 on 4th and 3, but the final play of the game was an incomplete pass into the endzone, giving the Bearcats their first win of the season.
Upper Iowa scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, both on running plays up the middle from
Jayden Mitchell, a 7-yard and 20-yard rush. McKendree got onto the scoreboard in the second quarter with a short run up the middle to cut the deficit to 13-7. UIU responded four minutes later as
Mante Morrow caught a 30-yard toss from
Darryl Overstreet Jr. for the team's third touchdown of the evening, giving them a 20-10 advantage.
The Bearcats scored an additional touchdown in the third quarter on a short one-yard rush. Overstreet Jr. carried the ball three yards into Bearcat territory with two minutes remaining to keep their distance (27-17).
McKendree scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, starting things off with a touchdown and a field goal. A perfect 40-yard pass from Overstreet made its way over the purple and white defenders and into the hands of
Willy Camacho for Upper Iowa's last score of the game. With a 34-27 lead, the Peacocks were unable to make the last necessary stop on the Bearcat possession to keep the game from going to overtime, which would lead to their downfall.
Overstreet Jr. completed 16 of 25 pass attempts for 266 yards, while Fisher completed 25 of 32 for 247 yards. Mitchell led the ground game for the Peacocks as he recorded 48 yards on 18 attempts. Camacho registered 42 total yards on three attempts. Ronnie Hunsaker for the Bearcats totaled 95 yards rushing.
Mante Morrow grabbed five receptions for 90 yards, while Burgess connected on four receptions for 69 yards.
Upper Iowa is at Harms-Eischeid Stadium again next Saturday as they host Southwest Baptist for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
