GAME DAY LINKS -- McKendree vs. Lincoln -- Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, 1 p.m. -- Leemon Field, Lebanon, Ill.
WATCH LIVE (Bearcat Sports Network)
LIVE STATS

McKENDREE/LINCOLN VIDEO PREVIEW WITH COACH BABCOCK
McKENDREE SEASON STATISTICS
McKENDREE GAME NOTES
LINCOLN SEASON STATISTICS
LINCOLN GAME NOTES

(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 30)--Following two weeks away from Leemon Field, the McKendree University football team will begin its final home stand of the 2015 season on Saturday with a visit from Lincoln University. Kickoff between the Bearcats and Blue Tigers is set for 1 p.m. The game will air live on the Bearcat Sports Network at www.mckbearcats.com/watch, beginning with the pre-game show at 12:45 p.m.

Last Saturday, McKendree built a 17-0 lead in the early stages of the second quarter before the host Miners rallied with 27 unanswered points on their way to a 34-27 triumph in a battle for second place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference standings. The Bearcats slipped to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in GLVC play with the defeat. Senior quarterback Isaac Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) threw touchdown passes on the first two possessions of the day for McKendree and finished the day by throwing for 304 yards. Fisher also scored on a 13-yard TD run with 2:12 to play as the Bearcats attempted to rally from a late 14-point deficit. Junior wide receiver Sean Dowling (Chatham, IL/Glenwood) had a team-high six receptions for 84 yards while sophomore wide receiver Dustin Walls (Champaign, IL/Centennial) added five grabs for 85 yards. Senior wide receiver Cameron James (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville), who had three catches against Missouri S & T, was the Bearcats' leading rusher with 84 yards, including a career-long 65-yard scamper off a double-reverse on the team's first play from scrimmage.

Senior defensive back Cruz Navarro (Escondido, CA/Escondido), junior linebacker A.J. Wentland (Machesney Park, IL/Harlem) and junior defensive lineman Tyler House (Los Angeles, CA/Glenelg) all had 11 tackles to lead the Bearcats' defense at Missouri S & T. Wentland also registered two of McKendree's four quarterback sacks in the contest. Sophomore linebacker Austin Weltha (Bloomington, IL/Bloomington) chipped in with eight stops on the day. 

Lincoln will be making its first-ever visit to Leemon Field, and the Blue Tigers will be in search of their first GLVC victory of the season. Last Saturday, the Blue Tigers played host to the top team in the GLVC standings and suffered a 41-18 defeat against the University of Indianapolis. Antwon Davis had a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown catches for Lincoln and closed the day with a team-high six receptions for 84 yards. Quarterback Owen Jordan completed 9-of-22 pass attempts for 106 yards against the Greyhounds, while Bryson Winfrey was a perfect 2-for-2 for 49 yards. Both Jordan and Winfrey through a TD pass to Davis in the effort. Kareem Joyner led the Blue Tigers' defense with 11 tackles, including seven solos, while Paul Dodson contributed 10 stops. 

The Bearcats and Blue Tigers met for the first time on the gridiron last season in Jefferson City, Mo. McKendree scored on all six of its first-half possessions on the way to a 56-36 triumph. The Bearcats piled up 561 yards of total offense while putting up a season-high in scoring column against Lincoln. Isaac Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) needed less than one half of football to set a new team record with five touchdown passes in a game. Fisher was 14-of-21 for 249 yards in the effort while adding 73 rushing yards. A.J. Wentland (Machesney Park, IL/Harlem) finished the day with 14 tackles and became the Bearcats' single-season leader in tackles during the game. Lucky Baar (Chicago, IL/Morgan Park) also set a new McKendree program record with his lone sack of the day, giving him a program-best 14 for a single season. 

Next Saturday (Nov. 7) McKendree will wrap up the home portion of its 2015 schedule by hosting in-state and GLVC rival Quincy University. Prior to the 1 p.m. kickoff at Leemon Field, the Bearcat program will honor its seniors in a special ceremony. 

INSIDE THE McKENDREE/LINCOLN GAME
THE HEAD COACHES
McKENDREE: Mike Babcock is in his third season as the head coach of the McKendree Bearcats (14-14 at McKendree and overall). Babcock came to McKendree from Colorado State University-Pueblo, where he spent the five years as an offensive assistant coach. From 2009-12, Babcock served as the ThunderWolves' quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. 

LINCOLN: Mike Jones is in his fifth season as the head coach for the Lincoln Blue Tigers (8-44 at Lincoln and overall). Jones played 12 seasons of professional football, and was a member of the St. Louis Rams' squad that won Super Bowl XXXIV. 

THE SERIES (Since 1996)
McKendree won the only other meeting between the programs on the gridiron, which came last season in Jefferson City, Mo.:
   2014 -- McKENDREE 56, Lincoln 36 (at Jefferson City, Mo.)

McKENDREE -- LAST TIME OUT...
The Bearcats saw a 17-point, second-quarter lead slip away in a 34-27 loss last Saturday at Missouri S & T. The Miners reeled off 27 unanswered points spanning the second and third quarters and held off a late comeback by McKendree. Isaac Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) topped the 300-yard mark in the passing department for the fifth time this season, throwing for 304 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He was 24-of-43 through the air and completed passes to nine different receivers. Fisher also added another score on the ground. Sean Dowling (Chatham, IL/Glenwood) had a team-leading six receptions for 84 yards, while Dustin Walls (Champaign, IL/Centennial) contributed five grabs for 85 yards. Cameron James (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) caught three passes for 43 yards, while leading the team in rushing with 84 yards on just three attempts. That included a 65-yard burst on a double-reverse on the first play from scrimmage. A trio of defenders -- A.J. Wentland (Machesney Park, IL/Harlem), Cruz Navarro (Escondido, CA/Escondido) and Tyler House (Los Angeles, CA/Glenelg) -- shared team-high honors with 11 tackles against the Miners. 

LINCOLN -- LAST TIME OUT...
The Blue Tigers hosted the top team in the Great Lakes Valley Conference last Saturday and were dealt a 41-18 defeat by the University of Indianapolis. Lincoln scored all of its points in the fourth quarter after finding itself in a 41-0 hole. Antwon Davis caught a pair of touchdown passes in the final period and finished the day with a team-best five receptions for 84 yards. Owen Jordan completed 9-of-22 pass attempts for 106 yards, while Bryson Winfrey was a perfect 2-for-2 for 49 yards against the Greyhounds. Both Jordan and Winfrey threw a TD pass in the contest. Dominique Bell rushed for 58 yards on 10 carries to pace the Blue Tigers' ground attack. Kareem Joyner registered a team-high 11 tackles, including seven solos. Paul Dodson contributed 10 stops in the effort. 

THE LAST MEETING, McKENDREE vs. LINCOLN
On Nov. 8, 2014 in Jefferson City, Mo., McKendree scored on all six of its first-half possession on its way to a 56-36 victory over Lincoln. The Bearcats piled up 561 yards of total offense against the Blue Tigers while putting up a season-high in the scoring column. Isaac Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) needed less than one half of football to set a new team record with five touchdown passes (which he topped earlier this year with six at West Liberty). Isaac surpassed the previous mark of four set by his older brother Austin in a 2010 game at Quincy University. Isaac was 14-of-21 on the day for 249 yards to go along with his five TD tosses. Sean Dowling (Chatham, IL/Glenwood) led a balanced receiving corps with four catches, while Cameron James (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) added three receptions, two of which went for scores. Shayeen Edwards (East St. Louis, IL/Cahokia) led the McKendree rushing attack with 74 yards on eight carries, while Fisher chipped in with 73 yards on the day. A.J. Wentland (Machesney Park, IL/Harlem) notched a game-high 14 tackles and became the Bearcats' single-season leader in tackles for a season, eclipsing the old mark of 108 stops set by Brandon Nigro in 2011. Lucky Baar (Chicago, IL/Morgan Park) collected his 14th sack of the season against Lincoln to become the single-season leader in the category for McKendree. 

BEARCAT TRACKS
BEARCATS vs. THE SHOW-ME STATE: McKendree has a record of of 11-9 against teams from the state of Missouri since 1996. The Bearcats are 6-4 in home contests against such programs. McKendree has won its last three games at Leemon Field versus teams from the Show-Me State, including a 38-13 triumph earlier this month over Southwest Baptist University. 

THE LIST IS COMPLETE: By hosting Lincoln, McKendree has now played every current football-playing member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference at Leemon Field. 

20 SEASONS OF FOOTBALL: 2015 marks the 20th season of football at McKendree since the program was revived in 1996. 

200 AND COUNTING: The Sept. 12 contest at West Liberty marked the 200th football game played by McKendree since bringing back its football program in 1996. 

A HUNDRED AT HOME: Today's game with Lincoln will mark the 100th home game for McKendree since the revival of the football program in 1996. However, it will be just the 97th played at Leemon Field. The Bearcats played three contests at Breese Central High School during the 2002 season. 

DOUBLING UP: McKendree has scored at least 10 points in a game in 175 of its last 187 outings. 

THE McKENDREE 500: The Bearcats topped the 500-yard mark in total offense for the second time this year with their 504-yard effort at Missouri S & T. 

POINTS NOT TAKEN: The 10 points allowed by McKendree at Saint Joseph's College are the fewest given up by the Bearcats' defense in the program's NCAA Division II era (since 2012). It is the lowest point total for McKendree opponent since the Bearcats defeated Trinity International University 24-9 at Leemon Field during the 2011 season. It is also the fewest points allowed by McKendree in a conference game since a 54-7 triumph at Waldorf College in 2010.  

ANOTHER TOP 10 FOR FISHER: With 60 yards on the ground last week at Missouri S & T, Isaac Fisher (Washington, IL/Washington) has moved into the top 10 on the all-time rushing list at McKendree. Fisher enters today's contest with 1,472 rushing yards. He moved past three former Bearcats -- Lamont Benn, Ryan Herring (Fairview Heights, IL/Belleville East) and Marlone Chenault -- during last week's game to jump from 13th to 10th on the McKendree career list. 

FISHER FACT OF THE WEEK: The 304-yard passing performance at Missouri S & T was Fisher's eighth career 300-yard game, and his fifth this season. 

RUN TO GLORY: Cameron James (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) posted the longest run for McKendree this season with his 65-yard scamper off a double-reverse on the first play from scrimmage at Missouri S & T. It was also the longest run of James' career at McKendree. 

McKENDREE RECEIVERS CATCHING ON: Entering today's game against Lincoln, five current members of the Bearcats' receiving corps are in the team's all-time top 10 for receptions: Cameron James (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) (1st with 134), Pat Doty (Springfield, IL/Springfield) (tied for 4th with 70), Sean Dowling (Chatham, IL/Glenwood) (7th with 54), Dustin Walls (Champaign, IL/Centennial) (8th with 48) and Tyler Brewer (Arnold, MO/Fox) (9th with 47). 

SACK MASTERS: McKendree defensive ends Lucky Baar (Chicago, IL/Morgan Park) and Brett Pearman (Granite City, IL/Granite City) continue to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks. Entering today's game with Lincoln, Baar (1.14 sacks per game) and Pearman (0.93 sacks per game) rank first and second, respectively, in the Great Lakes Valley Conference in quarterback sacks. Among all NCAA Division II players, Baar is ninth in the category while Pearman is 22nd overall. 

PICK-SIX: Austin Weltha (Bloomington, IL/Bloomington) had the Bearcats' first interception return for a touchdown of the season with his 45-yard score two weeks ago at Saint Joseph's. In fact, the last two McKendree pick-six efforts have come from current members of the Bearcats' linebacking corps. A.J. Wentland (Machesney Park, IL/Harlem) had a 29-yard INT return for a touchdown at Northwood University in September 2014. 

WENTLAND WATCH: With 11 more tackles at Missouri S & T last week, A.J. Wentland (Machesney Park, IL/Harlem) continues to move up the career charts for McKendree. Wentland has tied the late Cory Wilson for fourth place on the Bearcats' all-time list with 238 stops. Deveon Moss sits in third place with 245 tackles. The all-time leader is Brandon Nigro, who finished his four-year career at McKendree with 295 tackles. 

SIGN OF THINGS TO COME?: The triumph at West Liberty marked the first win for McKendree in a road opener since the 2009 season. Since the revival of the football program in 1996, the Bearcats have won their road opener eight different times. In each of those seasons, McKendree closed the year with a winning record. In fact, the Bearcats averaged better than eight wins per season in those instances. 

ONE MORE IN THE WIN COLUMN: McKendree needs a victory in one of its final three games of the 2015 season to notch its first winning campaign in five years. The Bearcats last finished above the .500 mark in 2010, when the team posted a 9-3 overall record. 

THIS DATE IN BEARCAT FOOTBALL HISTORY
Oct. 31, 2009
McKendree wrapped up a perfect home schedule for the 2009 season with a 38-0 victory at Leemon Field over Quincy University. Joe Beimfohr rushed for a game-high 105 yards and became the 15th player in program history to top the 1,000-yard mark for a career during the contest. As a team, McKendree piled up 484 yards of total offense, including 336 yards on the ground. Fifteen different players had at least one rushing attempt in the win for McKendree, which was their eighth straight triumph. Defensively, the Bearcats held Quincy to just 158 yards of total offense, including just 34 yards in the rushing department. Byron Gettis' 60-yard touchdown reception on the third play from scrimmage helped fuel a 21-point, first-quarter outburst for McKendree. Tommy Gayfield rushed for a pair of touchdowns later in the period. 

Oct. 31, 1998
McKendree nearly overcame a 21-point, fourth-quarter deficit at Taylor University, but the Bearcats' rally came up just short in a 28-21 loss to the host Trojans. Jarrod Karnes led the McKendree rushing attack with 76 yards on 15 carries. Billy Gray completed just four passes on the day but threw for 109 yards, with Clyde Brown, Jr., having a pair of receptions for 53 yards. Joe Bruss paced the Bearcats' defensive effort with 13 tackles, including three for loss with a pair of sacks. Mike Garavalia and Ryan Jimison each contributed 10 tackles at Taylor.