Blue Knight Football 2007 Season Review
The Blue Knight football team started the season with a bang, and closed it out with record-breaking performances in the finale, with many highlights on the gridiron in the 11 weeks in between.

Urbana University started off its 2007 campaign by traveling to Montgomery, W.Va. to take on West Virginia Tech. The Golden Bears led 21-14 with 3:23 to play in the game, but senior Ryan Gehlert orchestrated a comeback that resulted in senior Barry Quinn’s second TD reception of the game, this one tying the match at 21-all with 2:05 left to play. In the second overtime, junior Shawn Lewis sacked the quarterback which forced a fumble. Sophomore Chad Kinkead returned it 77 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

The Blue Knights faced a stern test against Coach Mike Kelly and the University of Dayton Flyers. Urbana struggled against the NCAA D-IAA Flyers, falling 45-7 at Welcome Stadium. UD finished the season 10-1, ranked No. 25 and will host a bowl game.

Following that contest, Urbana went on a tear and won its next four games, including two against ranked opponents. For the second consecutive season the Blue Knights upset McKendree University. Last season the Bearcats were ranked 10th when Urbana pinned a loss on them, the highest ranked team Urbana had ever defeated. In 2007, the Blue Knights traveled to Lebanon, Ill. and downed No. 15 McKendree, 23-21.

After three consecutive road games, the Blue Knights finally brought the show home, and cruised to a 45-13 win over St. Francis, Ill. at Ellis Field. The following week, in their MSFA opener at Taylor, Urbana won its sixth consecutive conference opener. The Blue Knights did not allow an offensive score in a 51-6 route.

Next up on the schedule was No. 15 Walsh, a team Urbana had never previously beaten. The Blue Knights toughed out a defensive battle for a 9-6 victory and the first win over the Cavaliers in the history of the Blue Knight program.

“I think at times we did some good things. Any time you beat two nationally ranked teams in a season, that is a positive,” said head coach Tim Place.

Urbana was 5-1 and 2-0 in the MSFA when it entered one of the toughest four-game stretches in the country, taking on NAIA No. 6 St. Xavier, No. 12 Malone, No. 5 St. Francis, Ind. and No. 3 Ohio Dominican, three of which advanced to the 16-team national playoffs.

The Blue Knights were ranked as high as 19 th in the NAIA when they faced off against St. Xavier. Urbana was down just 20-13 at the half, but SXU jumped ahead for a 41-13 win. The Cougars won their first-round playoff game. The Blue Knights lost 21-7 to Malone, and were down just 14-7 with five minutes remaining in the game. Against USF, the Blue Knights fell, 42-16. The Cougars advanced to the NAIA semifinals for the fifth consecutive year. Urbana was only down 31-28 after two Larry McCartney TD receptions with 8:18 left in the game against No. 3 Ohio Dominican before the Panthers scored three unanswered touchdowns. The Panthers made it to the quarterfinals of the NAIA national playoffs.

“Larry McCartney really stepped it up his senior season,” said Place.

As of Nov. 19, USF, St. X and ODU had a combined record of 34-3.

“For the most part, we beat the teams we should have beaten. Now we have to find a way to beat the teams that are competing in the national playoffs,” said Place. “Our five losses were against outstanding programs. St. Francis, Ind., St. Xavier and Ohio Dominican all won in the first round of the NAIA playoffs. Malone won the NCCAA Victory Bowl over Geneva and Dayton was 10-1 and finished ranked 25 th in the NCAA D-I AA.

“We had our chances against those programs,” added Place. “We’re close to where we want to be and have come a long way in a short time, but by no means are we satisfied with where we’re at.”

Urbana closed out the season with a 42-14 win over Marian College at Ellis Field – in two seasons, the Blue Knights are 7-3 on their home turf. The win over the Knights of Indianapolis sent out Urbana’s seniors as the winningest class in Blue Knight football history. There were also five records broken as Urbana finished 6-5 on the season, only the second winning record in the program’s history.

Two seniors broke career records. Wide receiver Barry Quinn hauled in a six-yard pass from CJ Westler to give Urbana a 21-7 lead with 6:49 to play in the game. The touchdown reception was the 17th of his career, breaking the record of 16 held by Howard Glover (98-01). Quarterback Ryan Gehlert, who suffered an injury and did not play the last two games, needed just 25 yards passing to break the career passing yardage mark of 4,950 set by Frank Carrico (94-98). Gehlert completed two passes for 26 yards to close out his career with 4,952 career passing yards.

Junior Kirk Hannah ran for a Blue Knight single-game record 224 yards and two touchdowns, helping Urbana to a season-high 349 rushing yards. Hannah also broke a single-season record for rushing touchdowns with 10. His 224 yards pushed him to 1,112 rushing yards on the season, breaking his own record in which he set last year with 1,063 rushing yards in a season.

“Kirk Hannah had a quality season, but he would be the first to admit if it weren’t for the O-line, he would not achieve what he did,” said Place. “Running backs can only be as good as their offensive line, which was anchored by second team all-MSFA offensive lineman junior Thomas Rogan.”

Both Hannah and Rogan were named second team all-MSFA Offense. The Blue Knight defense was headlined by two first team all-MSFA defensive ends; redshirt freshman Travis Brisco and junior Shawn Lewis. Seniors Kyle Lockett (defensive line) and Rasul Basit (defensive back) were both named second team all-MSFA Defense.

“Shawn Lewis was voted as the best defensive player of the year in the MSFA,” said Place. “Travis Brisco has big-time ability and has a chance to be special. Kyle Lockett had a real good senior year. He was named National Defensive Player of the Week when we played Walsh and beat them for the first time in school history. That was a big win for us. Rasul Basit was the leader of the secondary and had a quality year.”

Senior Luther Henderson (RB), sophomore Chad Kinkead (LB) and senior Kevin Weber (LB) were all honorable mention selections.

“Luther Henderson did all of the dirty work. He did all the little things that made us successful, that not everyone notices,” said Place. “Chad Kinkead played his position for the first time at the college level. He has two more years left and we are excited about his prospects.

“Kevin Weber got it done on and off the field for us this year,” added Place.

The Blue Knight special teams played extremely well in 2007. Junior Matt Branch had
67 punts, with 23 that went for fair catches and 30 that landed inside the 20-yard line. He averaged 36.8 yards a punt, had none blocked and had a career-long punt of 68 yards. True freshman Jacob Harfman was 30-of-34 on PATs, breaking a Blue Knight single season record for PATs made. He had a career-long 38-yard field against McKendree.

“On special teams, our kicking game was very good this year,” said Place. “Matt Branch is one of the better punters in the league. Jacob Harfman was a true freshman and exceeded our expectations.

“R.J. Dawsey plays a position (long snapper) where people will notice if you mess up,” added Place. “He did a nice job this season.”

The Blue Knights lose 11 seniors for next season, but return 15 starters.

“We are losing 11 seniors who leave this program far better than when they got here,” said Place. “They leave as the winningest class in the school’s history. On offense the Blue Knights return seven of 11 starters and eight starters on defense will return.

“Our younger student athletes need to develop and dedicate themselves to becoming better individuals on and off the field in all phases.”