ROLLA, Mo. – Missouri S&T football defeated the McKendree Bearcats 28-21 in Saturday's Homecoming football game, surging ahead in the first half and getting key defensive takeaways to secure the victory.
The Miners racked up nearly 200 yards of total offense in the first 20 minutes of the game, scoring on their first three possessions with two passing touchdowns by
Eli Scott (Louisville, KY/Eastern) and a rushing touchdown by
AJ Harris (Wentzville, MO/Lutheran-St. Charles). Scott connected with
Sam Ryan (Columbia, MO/Father Tolton) for the first points of the day, lobbing a ball to the end zone that allowed Ryan to make a leaping grab over the McKendree defender for the score. The Miners scored again later in the first quarter after a fourth-down stand by the defense, this time scoring on a 27-yard pass from Scott to
Tyler Gioia (Huntington Beach, CA/Edison). The defense held up again in the next drive, forcing a three-and-out to set up a drive that culminated in a 2-yard rushing touchdown for Harris.
McKendree's first points of the contest came in the ensuing kickoff, with Jerry Richardson taking the return 93 yards to make it a 21-7 ball game. The Miners turned the ball over with a fumble on the next drive, but a strip sack by
Robert Martin (Chicago, IL/Stevenson) led to a fumble recovery for
Seneca Bradley (Clarksville, TN/Rossview) Jr. that set the Miners up at their own 44. The defense came up with another big stop just before halftime, forcing a turnover on downs on 4th and 10 in the final seconds of the half.
Reid Meekins (Houston, TX/Cypress Falls) intercepted McKendree's Kendrick Lyons in the first drive of the second half, returning the pick 13 yards to start the Miners' next possession in McKendree territory. The Bearcats came up with a stop on 3rd and 1 at their own 37 yardline, but the Miners opted to go for it on fourth down, converting with a wildcat sweep run to the left that Gioia took 37 yards for another Miner touchdown.
McKendree was efficient in their next two drives, going 154 yards on 24 plays and scoring twice, making it a one-possession game early in the fourth quarter. After a failed 4th and 1 attempt by the Miners in the following drive, the Bearcats were set up with prime position at the S&T34 drive down and tie the game at 28-28. However, Meekins picked off Lyons for the second time, snagging the ball at the S&T5 and returning it across midfield to the McKendree 48.
The Bearcats would get two more opportunities to score in the game, but continual pressure from the S&T defensive line helped the Miners secure the victory on the final play of the game, dragging down McKendree receiver Michale Sutton at the S&T5 as time expired.
The Miners rushed for 172 yards, led by Harris' 110 on 26 attempts. The defense recorded season highs for pass break ups with seven and tied the season high for both takeaways (3) and sacks (5).
Louis Traglia (Wichita, KS/Kapaun Mount Carmel) and
Wes Mayo (Springfield, MO/Kickapoo) had monstor performances, combining for 5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 15 tackles and a forced fumble.
What's Next
S&T will be home again next Saturday, with another 1 p.m. start time for Faculty & Staff Appreciation day against Quincy.
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