Sophomore defensive back Lawrence Davis (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) (Rock Island, Ill./Rock Island) and senior linebacker Deveon Moss (Centralia, Ill./Centralia) (Centralia, Ill./Centralia) accounted for all six takeaways as McKendree, the No. 14 team in the NAIA, improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League. Davis had two interceptions and two fumble recoveries, while Moss also had a pair of interceptions.

      “Our defense really stepped up when we needed them today,” said McKendree head coach Carl Poelker. “It seemed like every time (William Penn) started to put together a drive, we were able to come up with a big play. Lawrence has really come into his own for us. He was around the ball all day.”

      McKendree scored first when senior fullback Lamont Benn (Chicago, Ill./Curie) (Chicago, Ill./Curie) found the end zone on a one-yard touchdown run just over five minutes into the contest. Senior kicker Stephen Webb (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) made the ensuing extra point attempt, but it was nullified by a penalty. The next attempt was blocked, leaving the score at 6-0. That snapped a streak of 37 successful conversions for Webb.

      From that point, the game then turned into a battle of field goals. With just eight seconds left in the opening quarter, Webb booted a 37-yard field goal to extend the Bearcat lead to 9-0. William Penn got its only points of the first half on a 33-yard field goal by Nathan Turnbull, cutting the McKendree lead to 9-3 with 8:56 left before the intermission.

      Turnbull nailed another 33-yard attempt late in the third quarter to bring the Statesmen (3-4 overall, 1-2 MSFA Midwest) within 9-6. Webb capped the scoring on a 27-yarder with 13:10 remaining.

      The Bearcats forced four turnovers in the first half, including three interceptions. McKendree, which entered the game leading the MSFA in turnover margin at plus-12, has now produced 22 takeaways in its first six games.

      Moss led the way with 13 tackles for McKendree, while junior defensive back Mike Harrison (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) added 11 tackles. Junior defensive lineman Tim Fahrenhorst (Ballwin, Mo./Marquette) (Ballwin, Mo./Marquette) and senior linebacker Marcus Mann (Normal, Ill./Normal) (Normal, Ill./Normal) each chipped in with nine stops. Davis finished with four tackles in addition to his four takeaways.

      Benn gained a team-high 73 yards on 15 carries to lead the McKendree ground game. Senior running back Daryle Jones (St. Louis, Mo./McCluer North) (St. Louis, Mo./McCluer North) added 58 yards on 15 carries.

      James Jackson rushed for a game-high 188 yards on 36 carries to lead William Penn. Despite giving up 188 yards to Jackson, the Bearcats limited the Statesmen to 235 yards of total offense.

      McKendree returns to Leemon Field next Saturday to host the University of St. Francis (Ill.) in an MSFA Midwest League showdown. Kickoff for the Bearcats’ Homecoming contest is set for 1:30 p.m.

-McK-