The Kentucky Wesleyan football team held a lead after two quarters, but a second-half surge by Quincy helped the visiting Hawks take down the Panthers 34-16 at Steele Stadium on Saturday.
Quincy (2-0) wasted no time getting on the board, moving 75 yards in less than four minutes to take a 7-0 lead on the opening drive.
Wesleyan (0-2) trimmed the deficit on their final drive of the quarter when Chris Mangold drilled a field goal from 25 yards out.
The lone score of the second frame was a Panther touchdown in the final three minutes. Michael Walker hauled in a 32-yard pass from Wiley Cain to put Wesleyan in the red zone, then carried it in from 5 yards out to give the Panthers a 10-7 lead at the break.
The Hawks went back ahead after an interception set up a touchdown drive less than 30 seconds into the second half.
Wesleyan’s defense provided the final Panthers’ score when Jalen Wilson blocked a punt and Jaylen Taylor returned it 55 yards to paydirt.
Quincy responded with another touchdown, storming 70 yards down field on six plays. Two scoring drives in the fourth quarter pushed their lead to 34-16.
The Panthers tallied 322 yards of total offense, a nearly 200-yard increase from last week. Cain threw for 277 yards on 29 completions with one touchdown and three interceptions. Corey Johnson led the rushing attack with 31 yards on 10 carries, while De’Ondre Boggs led receivers with 88 yards on four catches. Walker finished with one touchdown and 50 yards on three receptions.
Jalen Humphrey led the defense with 10 tackles including one for loss. Dalen Cofer recorded nine while Jalen Wilson and RJ Wilson each had seven. Tyreik Norwood recorded one sack and Armand Childs had two interceptions for 30 yards.
The Panthers will play again at home Saturday when they host Southwest Baptist.
