CANTON, Ohio - The Walsh Cavaliers football team returned home on Saturday (Sept. 25) as the Cavaliers hosted the McKendree Bearcats at Bob Commings Field. In the second week of the GLVC/G-MAC scheduling alliance, the Bearcats won the game 24-10 as non-conference play concluded. 

GAME DETAILS

• Score: McKendree 24, Walsh 10
• Records: McKendree 1-3, Walsh 1-3
• Place: Canton, Ohio (Bob Commings Field)

BIG MOMENTS RECAP

• McKendree took the opening drive of the game and turned it into a scoring drive. Turner Pullen found Steven Towns Jr. on a 27-yard touchdown pass with 12:48 left in the first quarter. 
• Walsh turned the ball over on a Thomas Wilks fumble on their first drive but the Walsh defense stood tall with a three and out. Robbie Page and Doug Taylor combined to stop a fourth down conversion, giving them the ball back with 9:08 left in the opening quarter. 
• Jeremy Hodge capped a 10 play, 81-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to Tyre Gray. Hodge completed passes of 26 yards to Jaden Gresham and 43 yards to Delonte Hall on the drive prior to the score. The game was tied with 4:21 left in the first quarter. 
• McKendree's next drive spanned 16 plays and leaked into the second quarter before it ended with a blocked field goal by the Cavaliers. Robbie Page blocked the 47-yard field goal attempt and returned it deep into McKendree territory. 
• The Bearcats took a 10-7 yard on a 40-yard field goal from Ryan Kastl with 7:02 left in the half. The score remained 10-7 at halftime and the entire third quarter. 
• Turner Pullen struck again with a seven-yard touchdown run one minute into the fourth quarter. The lead grew to 17-7 with 13:51 left. 
• Tom Vatter drove the Cavaliers on a ten play, 68-yard scoring drive to respond. Mason Brown connected on a 25-yard field goal four minutes later, closing the gap to 17-10. 
• Jacob Bachman made it 24-10 with a three-yard touchdown run with 4:07 left. 

CAVALIER TOTALS

• Walsh totaled 14 first downs with 242 yards of total offense. The passing attack totaled 208 yards while the rushing game was limited to 34 yards. 
• Hodge was six of eight passing with 87 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game with an injury. 
• Vatter completed 15 of 24 passes with 121 yards and an interception. 
• Thomas Wilks totaled 40 yards rushing on 15 carries. 
• Hall was the leading receiver with four catches for 82 yards while Gresham had eight catches for 65 yards. 
• Sal Sidebotham led the Cavaliers with 14 tackles.  

BEARCAT TOTALS

• McKendree ended the game with 355 yards of total offense with 212 rushing yards and 143 yards through the air. The Hawks had 25 first downs in the game. 
• Pullen was 16-of-29 passing with 135 yards and one touchdown.
• Jace Franklin IV had a team-best 86 rushing yards on 21 carries.   
• Bachman made six catches for 72 yards as the leading wideout.  
• KeShon Spraggins had a team-high six tackles. 

UP NEXT

• Walsh will open G-MAC play with a quick turnaround Thursday (Sept. 30) as they will host Ashland. The game is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Bob Commings Field. 

-WC-