Longest NCAA Football Losing Streak Hits 27
Tiny Quincy University Rallies to Beat Indiana State
It's not like Trent Miles doesn't know about winning. Twenty-five years ago, he played for an Indiana State team that was ranked No. 1 in the nation. And he's coached at the highest levels, serving as an assistant coach with Notre Dame, Stanford and Washington, as well as the NFL's Green Bay Packers.
But like his coaching predecessors at Indiana State, Miles is having one heck of a time winning games.
His team suffered its 27th consecutive loss on Thursday night, falling to Quincy 26-20 in overtime at Terre Haute, Ind. Indiana State has not won since 2006, and is 1-51 over its last 52 games.
The Sycamores seemed primed to end its skid. They were on their newly refurbished home field, and they were taking a few dips down in competition level -- at least technically.
Indiana State is a member of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision -- the second-highest level of college football. Quincy, a school of 1,500 located in Quincy, Ill., is a member of the NAIA -- the lowest of the five college football classifications. The Hawks were 6-5 last season.
And things looked especially promising for the Sycamores, when they raced to a 17-0 first-quarter lead -- their largest in five years. But Quincy scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to tie it, and won on quarterback Sam Donatucci's 1-yard run in overtime.
Sycamores Start Fast
Miles, now 0-13 at Indiana State, brought former NFL wide receiver Troy Walters in to be the Sycamores' offensive coordinator during the offseason. And Walters' offense clicked at the beginning of the opener.
In the first quarter, Indiana State got a 40-yard field goal from Braul Martinez, a 5-yard touchdown pass from Chris Stutzriem to Ryan Roberts, and a 75-yard TD pass from running back Darrius Gates to Bryant Kent.
But the rest of the way, Indiana State managed only a 27-yard field goal by Martinez, which gave the Sycamores a 20-14 lead with 5 minutes, 26 seconds left.
Two other field goal attempts by Martinez were unsuccessful; the second being a potential game-clinching 43-yard boot that was blocked with 2:27 left.
Quincy Delivers Big Plays Late in Game
After the blocked field goal, the Hawks drove 78 yards for the tying touchdown. Donatucci scored on a 1-yard TD plunge to make it 20-20, and only a missed PAT prevented Quincy from winning the game in regulation.
On the opening play of overtime, Stutzriem was sacked by Jason Spiller and Ryan Bronson for a 9-yard loss, and the series ended when a Stutzriem fumble was recovered by Corey Reidl.
Quincy broke through on its overtime possession when Corey Williams ran 19 yards to the Indiana State 1. Donatucci scored two plays later to end the game.
Defenses Dictate Pace
Neither offense showed a lot of firepower, with Quincy holding a 276 to 257 edge in total yardage.
Williams ran nine times for 61 yards, and Donatucci completed 12 of 27 passes for 111 yards, including a 12-yard TD pass to Tyler Truttman early in the fourth quarter. Alex Beard kicked two field goals for the Hawks.
Quincy's defense was spearheaded by Nate Toole, who had 11 tackles -- 10 of them solo. The linebacker made five tackles for losses. Erik Wilson added an interception for the Hawks.
Indiana State did its best work on the ground, with Gates gaining 105 yards on 11 carries, and Antoine Brown netting 74 yards on 22 carries. Stutzriem was 9-for-18 passing for 60 yards, with one interception.
Dony McCleskey and Aaron Archie each had 10 tackles for the Sycamores, who haven't won since defeating Missouri State 28-22 in their 2006 homecoming game.
Things won't get any easier for the Sycamores next week. They're back in action Sept. 5 at Louisville, an NCAA Division 1 Bowl Subdivision team. The Cardinals were 5-7 last season.
Quincy stays on the road, playing at Southeast Missouri on Thursday, Sept. 3.
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