Blue Knights Fall to No. 6 SXU
Second half does in Urbana as Cougars score 21 unanswered points
CHICAGO – The Blue Knights trailed No. 6 St. Xavier by just a touchdown at the half, but the Cougars found their stride in the second, scoring 21 unanswered points to pull away with a 41-13 MSFA win Saturday at Deaton Field.

Urbana started in the hole as SXU scored in the first minute of the game on a 12-yard interception return by Brett Farmer, on just the third play of the game.

Senior quarterback Ryan Gehlert led Urbana back with a 10-play, 72-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown catch by senior Barry Quinn. Not only did the TD tie the game, but it brought Quinn one step closer to becoming Urbana’s career touchdown receptions leader. With the 19-yard nab from Gehlert, he is now tied with Howard Glover (99-01) with 16.

Things were looking up for Urbana when junior Shawn Lewis forced a fumble to give the ball back to the Blue Knights at their own 37-yard line. Urbana could not capitalize on the turnover, however and had to punt on fourth-and-one.

SXU (6-1, 2-1 MSFA) took a 14-7 lead on the ensuing drive after a 25-yard pass from Billy Yeo to Andy Leitz. Yeo finished with four TD passes and 498 yards.

After an Urbana fumble and a 23-yard field goal by Shane Longest, sophomore Rodney Holmes got the Blue Knights back within four points, on an electrifying, 95-yard kickoff return for six points.

It looked like the lead would stand at 17-13 heading into halftime after a 10-yard sack on Yeo by Lewis to give SXU a fourth-and-21 with two seconds remaining. The Cougars called timeout and Longest banged through a 52-yarder as time expired to give SXU a 20-13 lead.

The second half was all Yeo. He threw touchdowns of 70, 83 and 22 yards to close out the contest.

Senior Larry McCartney had a break out day for the Blue Knights catching a career-high 15 passes for 146 yards, breaking an Urbana record for receptions in a game set by Glover.

The Blue Knight defense was led by Chad Kinkead’s 15 tackles. Senior Kevin Weber added 14. Lewis added 11 tackles to go along with his forced fumble and a sack for a 10-yard loss.

Urbana (5-2, 2-1 MSFA) hosts No. 16 Malone (6-1, 3-0 MSFA) this Saturday at Ellis Field. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.

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