Football Loses At McKendree 27-24

LEBANON, ILL. – The Northwood University football dropped a tough 27-24 non-conference game at McKendree Saturday afternoon  

Northwood is now 1-2 overall, while McKendree stands at 2-0.

After missing on a couple of early scoring opportunities, Northwood got on the board late in the first quarter. The Timberwolves needed just two plays to go 42 yards – a 31-yard rush by Mark Morris (Macomb, Mich./Macomb Dakota) and an 11-yard touchdown run by Luke Shaffer (Georgetown, Pa./Southside) that put the Timberwolves up 7-0.

NU extended their lead to 14-0 in the second quarter. Morris found Theron Wilson (Ann Arbor, Mich./Skyline) on a leaping 10 yard touchdown with 9:34 remaining in the half.

McKendree gained momentum at this point in the game, scoring the next 13 points in the game to make the score 14-13 with 9:43 remaining in the third quarter. NU got back on the board late in the third quarter on a David Knudsen (St. Charles, Ill./West) 25-yard field goal, making the score 17-13.

Northwood extended their lead to 11 early in the fourth quarter. Morris connected on an 18-yard touchdown to Shane Barron (Flint, Mich./Carman-Ainsworth) to cap a 52 yard drive. That touchdown made the score 24-13 with 12:37 remaining in the game.

It was all McKendree from that point on, however, as the Bearcats scored the final 14 points of the game to earn the win. MU scored on a 67 yard pass with 11:12 remaining to cut the lead down to 24-19. The Bearcats then took their first lead of the day on a touchdown with 2:28 left in the game. Northwood had one final shot to go earn the win but did not pick up a first down.

For the game, McKendree out-gained Northwood 493-372. The Timberwolves finished with 229 yards rushing and 143 yards passing. McKendree ended up with 370 yards passing and 123 yards rushing. Northwood finished with a 36:05-23:55 advantage in time of possession.

Shaffer led the way for the Northwood offense, finishing with 133 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Morris ended up with 143 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns. Wilson and David Kolanek (Bay City, Mich./Western) each had three receptions. Mike Keith (Roseville, Mich./Warren De La Salle) led Northwood with nine tackles, while Michael Fisher (Rochester, Mich./Adams) ended up with seven tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

Northwood returns home to take on Wayne State Saturday (September 26). That game will begin at 1 p.m.