CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Men's Rugby Team travels to face the University of Illinois on Saturday, September 23rd. It's the Bearcats first game since making the jump to USA Rugby CRAA Division 1A (The highest level of collegiate Rugby in the United States). They will compete against the Illini on the Florida and Lincoln playing fields on the University of Illinois Campus, with the game beginning at noon.

This will be the first meeting between Mckendree and a Big 10 competitor in program history. The Illini finished last season with a record of 3-5 while the Bearcats come off a 3 game winning streak to finish out the 2022-2023 campaign.

Coach Cameron Wyper gave his thoughts on the upcoming game, "It's a great opportunity for our players to test themselves against a quality and prestigious program like Illinois, our program has been building nicely and we are looking forward to the challenge before starting our Midwest Conference schedule at home against the perennial National Champions in Lindenwood University on October 14th."