The St. Xavier University Cougars have been rolling through opponents this season and still find themselves atop the NAIA rankings. The Cougars went in to Saturday’s game against the Trinity International University Trojans with a 3-0 record and outscoring opponents 109-22 in those first three games.
The Cougars have had plenty of recent success against the Trinity International University Trojans and they have not lost to the Trojans in the past seven seasons. Last season the Cougars took on the Trojans on homecoming night at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field and were victorious, 49-14. This season the Cougars had to travel to Deerfield, Illinois to take on the Trojans for their homecoming game.
Going into Saturday’s game, the Cougars had a pair of familiar faces that were inactive due to injuries against the Trojans, wide receiver Corey Wennemacher and defensive back Jeremy Rhodes. To start the game the Cougars received the opening kickoff and their offense looked to get off to another hot start.
On the very first play of the of the game for the offense, Jimmy Coy dropped back in the pocket and was faced with a blitz by the Trojan defense and took a shot downfield to one of his receivers but the pass fell incomplete. After Coy released the ball seconds later an untouched Trojan blitzer made a hard helmet to helmet tackle on Coy, and the Trojans were called for roughing the passer on the play.
After the penalty was called Coy needed to be helped off the field and would not return to the game.
With Coy knocked out of the game on the very first play it was now up to veteran backup quarterback Joe Gill to lead the Cougar offense.
On the season Gill has appeared in every Cougar game and last season Gill appeared in nine out of the Cougars 15 games.
After his first two passes fell incomplete Gill converted on fourth and ten completing a pass to Wes Gastel.
On the very next play Gill through a pass that was caught by Nick Pesek and he took it 37-yards for the first points of the game.
On his second drive of the game Gill led the offense down the field and capped off a six play 63-yard scoring drive with a four yard touchdown run. After two offensive possessions the Cougars lead the Trojans 12-0.
Towards the end of the first quarter of play the Cougar defense gave up a touchdown to the Trojans, but on the ensuing extra point attempt by the Trojans, the Cougars field goal unit blocked the kick and they only had a six point lead.
The second quarter was dominated by the Cougar offense and Joe Gill. In the first 12 minutes of the second quarter the Cougars scored three touchdowns.
Josh Hunter scored on a five yard touchdown run to begin the second quarters scoring then Joe Gill tossed two touchdown passes, one 29-yards to Shane Zackery, and one that was 40-yards to Chase Catton.
To end the first half of play the Trojans added a touchdown of their own, and Spencer Nolan drilled a 48-yard field goal attempt. At the half the Cougars lead 36-12.
The Cougar offense slowed down in the second half and did not score any points, but the Cougar defense was able to hold the Trojans to only fourteen points in the second half and the Cougars would go on to win 36-26 and improve to 4-0 on the season.
Joe Gill ended the day 22-37 for 362 yards with three passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, and only one interception.
If Jimmy Coy is unable to play next week on homecoming against the University of St. Francis (Ind.) Cougars, it will be up to Joe Gill to lead the team to victory. Be sure to tune into WXAV 88.3FM Chicago, or wxav.com starting at 5:30pm for all of your Cougar Football coverage.