By Shane Hulsey

A 2-0 start to the season is great, but for Quincy University senior quarterback Andrew Rund, a 3-0 start would mean that much more.

“I think it would mean everything,” he said. “I mean, this is what we work for all summer long. This started at the end of the season last year when we finished with two wins. We built on that throughout the summer, so being 3-0 would mean a lot.”

After winning their first two games on the road in convincing fashion, the Hawks will play their first home game this Saturday against Wayne State.

The Warriors come into Saturday having lost their first two games of the season, losing by at least 23 points in each game.

Sophomore linebacker Peyten Chappel knows Quincy will get Wayne State’s best shot.

“We know they’re going to be a good team,” he said. “They’re going to come in and try to take one from us on our home field, but we’re going to try and not let that happen.”

Even though Wayne State lost its first two games, it featured a potent rushing attack, averaging over 206 rushing yards in those contests.

Although Quincy has only given up 129 rushing yards through two games, Chappel acknowledged the Hawks will have their hands full with the Warriors’ running game.

“They’re definitely going to try to pound the ball on us,” he said, “but we just have to be strong and hold our ground.”

Rund has thrown for 558 yards and four touchdowns, and the Hawks have accumulated 1021 total yards through two games.

Rund said the pace of the Hawks’ offense has contributed a great deal to their offensive prowess so far.

“The big key to our offense so far has been our tempo,” he said. “We play so fast that it can throw a lot of teams off.”

The Hawks turned the ball over five times in their 34-16 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan in Week 2. Rund said the Hawks didn’t let these mistakes get to them.

“We had a lot of things not go our way, a lot of things that were self-inflicted,” he said. “We handled those things well, and that’s what led us to victory.”

The Hawks forced five turnovers, though, two of which were interceptions by GLVC Defensive Player of the Week, Marvion Harris.

Harris said this team’s camaraderie has gotten them to this point: seeking their third straight win to start the season.

“A big part of our first two wins has been coming together as a family, being a part of one another and having each other’s backs,” he said. “Like coach always says, we’re going to face adversity, but when you’re a family, adversity doesn’t hit you as hard.”

What’s the key for the Hawks to move to 3-0? The answer’s simple: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

“As long as we do what we’ve been doing, being fast and being physical, then we’ll come out with a win,” Rund said.

“We just have to keep doing the same things we’ve been doing,” Harris said. “Play for each other, play with each other, and go out there and get a win.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at QU Stadium.