Clay McClelland
Aidan McMurtrie
First-year QB Clay McClelland
21
Winner Grinnell GRI 2-5 , 2-4
14
Knox KNX 2-5 , 1-5
Winner
Grinnell GRI
2-5 , 2-4
21
Final
14
Knox KNX
2-5 , 1-5
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
GRI Grinnell 0 14 0 7 21
KNX Knox 0 7 0 7 14

Game Recap: Football |

Field Position Dooms Knox in 21-14 Loss to Grinnell

All three Pioneer touchdown drives were no longer than 40 yards

GALESBURG, Ill. ­— With an overflowing homecoming crowd in attendance, the Knox College football team was unable to come from behind in the fourth quarter as it has twice before this season as visiting Grinnell College handed the Prairie Fire a 21-14 defeat at Stisser Field at the Knosher Bowl on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers (2-5, 2-4 MWC) controlled the clock with 227 rushing yards to beat Knox (2-5, 1-5 MWC) at its own game.

Grinnell took advantage of excellent field position in the second quarter to score its first two touchdowns. After a short punt from deep in Prairie Fire territory, the Pioneers ran the ball nine times before quarterback Will Cloake connected with Garrett Wilson on a 6-yard strike. Midway through the quarter, Knox fumbled the ball away at its own 32, and the Pioneers took advantage, doubling its lead on a 3-yard Sam Eaton run into the end zone.

Knox responded with a quick drive before the end of the half to get back within seven before the intermission, capped on a one-yard plunge across the goal line by Taylor McAdams.

After a scoreless third quarter, Grinnell quickly padded its lead thanks to an interception that put the Pioneer offense on the Knox 26. Six rushes later, Lucky Carton scored on a 1-yard run to make it a 21-7 game. Again Knox answered right back, covering 72 yards in nine plays, including three Clay McClelland completions for a combined 43 yards before he scored on a 4-yard run.

Knox got the ball back twice more, but could not score the equalizer.

  • Grinnell, which entered the game leading the league in time of possession, held the ball for 37:35.
  • McClelland, a first-year playing in his second collegiate game, ran for 106 of the Prairie Fire's 138 rushing yards.
  • Defensive end Jonathan Sarich led Knox with nine tackles, including its lone sack.
  • The Prairie Fire had its seven-game win streak against Grinnell come to an end.

Knox travels to Cornell College (3-4, 3-3 MWC) next weekend shooting to snap its five-game skid. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday with live video and stats available through PrairieFire.Knox.edu, the official athletics website of Knox College.

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