How?
How does a team that beat a Football Champions Subdivision team for the first time in program history fall so far so fast?
How can a team get killed by making the same mistakes on special teams week after week after week?
How can a football team not find consistent play out of the quarterback spot despite having four players who are highly thought of by the coaching staff?
How can a defense that was oh so good in shutting down the big Division I school in the season-opening win be so susceptible to big plays -- especially in the passing game -- now that it's back to playing teams on its own level?
"I don't know," Quincy University coach Bill Terlisner said. "I'm the head coach. It's my fault. Blame it on me. Blame the whole thing on me. I'm fine with (taking the blame)."
Yes, Terlisner deserves part of the blame for what's quickly becoming a forgotten fall for the Hawks. They've lost five straight after Saturday afternoon's uninspiring 39-16 loss to Grand View at QU-Stadium. But there are players on scholarship, too, who should share in the blame with the entire coaching staff.
Outside of kicker Alex Beard, the Hawks' special teams have been miserable. For the fifth time this season on Saturday, the Hawks had a punt blocked. This time, tiny Gavin Burns used his 5-foot-9 frame to zip through the right side of the Hawks' line untouched to block a Kyle Homeyer offering. One play later, Grand View scored on a touchdown pass.
Of the five punts the Hawks have had blocked, two have been recovered in the end zone for touchdowns. The Hawks have given up two punt returns for touchdowns.
On Saturday afternoon, they added a kickoff return for a touchdown to Grand View's Titus Bland to the growing list of special teams malfunctions. QU (1-5, 0-2 MSFA Midwest) should have known better than to kick Bland's way. He has two punt returns for scores this season and is a national level sprinter, making the NAIA outdoor nationals in the 100-meter dash and the indoor nationals in the 55 dash.
The game of musical quarterbacks hasn't helped. Dustin Jacoby returned after missing four games due to injury. His return was a rough one. He threw four interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown. Trevor Durham also returned from a shoulder injury and threw an interception in his only series. A sophomore slump has hit Sam Donatucci. Tyler Truttmann didn't do much when given the keys to the offense in a 51-0 loss at St. Xavier two weeks ago.
QU's defense was last in the MSFA in points allowed going into Saturday's game. The Hawks are giving up 37.3 points per game against MSFA competition this year. The defensive line has just five sacks and the secondary has allowed 15 touchdown passes, 11 of which have gone for at least 20 yards. The Hawks have allowed five touchdown passes of at least 50 yards, including three of 75 yards or longer.
The Hawks even moved senior Nate Toole to safety on Saturday to try to shore up the secondary, but that move didn't work too well. Toole was solid with a team-high 11 tackles and four pass breakups, but the unit still gave up two long touchdown passes.
"You put some Band-Aids out there and they're still finding weaknesses," Terlisner said.
The Hawks are nowhere near the team that knocked off Indiana State 26-20 in overtime to start the season. (By the way, how do you think the Sycamores feel after seeing QU lose week after week?) Injuries to some key players haven't helped at all, but this just isn't a good football team right now.
"As a staff, we are searching," Terlisner said. "We have a young coaching staff and a young team. You are just hoping for a win. We hoped that would come this week. Now we have to go up to Iowa Wesleyan. Trust me, they're going to be licking their chops to see us."
The program's string of winning seasons, which is at three straight, will be history with the Hawks' next loss. There's also the little matter of Terlisner being in the last year of his contract. There are people questioning whether or not he deserves to continue to lead the Hawks after this season.
The team isn't helping his cause for long-term employment.
"At the end of the day, it's all my fault," Terlisner said.
— dobrien@whig.com/221-3365
