GAME NOTES

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(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 30)--After playing its last two games on the road, the McKendree University football game returns to Leemon Field on Saturday to host Truman State Universtiy. Kickoff for the non-conference tilt is set for 1:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the Bearcat Sports Network at www.mckbearcats.com, and will also be aired on the flagship station of the McKendree football program, WIBV (102.1 FM in Mt. Vernon). Joe Zydlo will host the pre-game show at 1:15 p.m., then will bring fans all the play-by-play action.

McKendree enters Saturday's match-up still in search of its first victory of the 2011 season. The Bearcats slipped to 0-3 on the year following a 21-0 loss last week at William Penn University. McKendree held the NAIA's top-ranked rushing defense more than 235 yards below its season average, giving up just 179 yards on the ground. However, the Bearcats could muster just 148 yards of total offense on the day.

Truman State comes to Lebanon with a 1-3 overall record. This will be the Bulldogs' first non-conference game of the season after playing its first four contests in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). Truman State was on the short end of a 54-30 score last Saturday against the University of Central Missouri.

The Bearcats will be playing their first of two true NCAA Division II opponents in 2011 on Saturday. McKendree will also square off with Henderson State University on Nov. 5 in Arkadelphia, Ark. The Bearcats also played Malone University in the 2011 season opener on Sept. 10, but the Pioneers -- like McKendree -- are in Candidacy Year Two in the transition phase towards NCAA Division II membership.