Lebanon, IL - Fresh off a 96-yard, nine-play game-winning drive at Southwest Baptist, the McKendree University Football team (3-3, 3-1 GLVC) returns to Leemon Field with momentum and sole possession of second place in the GLVC. The Bearcats have claimed three straight in the century-old series with Missouri S&T (3-4, 1-3 GLVC) and bring the league's top passing attack into a pivotal mid-October matchup that could shape both team's stretch runs. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 18th.  

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RECAPPING SOUTHWEST BAPTIST
McKendree authored a late-game classic in Bolivar, closing a 24-17 gap with a Chase Reeves 25-yard field goal before mounting the decisive 96-yard march in the final 95 seconds. Quarterback Ty Michael set a single-game program record with 425 passing yards and found Eddie Clark for a five-yard pylon hit with :09 left to win it, 26-24. The air game spread the wealth - Jaylen Ford (113 yards), David Richard (101 yards) and Daryle Jones Jr. (92 yards, touchdown) all moved chains - while the defense delivered seven tackles for loss and a timely first-quarter pick from Logan Turbyfill to flip early momentum. McKendree controlled critical situations; 36:07 possession, 9-for-18 on third down, 4-for-4 in the red zone, and zero sacks allowed. 

UPDATES ON McKENDREE
The Bearcats sit 3-1 in the GLVC, chasing #15 UIndy, and have leaned into their identity: GLVC-best 298.3 passing yards per game with protection that's allowed just 8 sacks through six contests. Michael ranks top-two in the league in passing yards per game and attempts, while Clark leads the GVLC in rushing attempts and rushing yards per game, giving McKendree a balanced backbone when needed. Special teams remain a separator - Reeves is 10-for-13 on FGs (longest of 50 yards) and top-two in the league in makes and per-game average, while the punt unit averages 42.2 yards and kickoff returns are at 26.2 per kickoff. Defensively, Dameion Hatten still is among the best in the nation in tackles for loss (14.0) and Cyris Davis leads the league with 3 interceptions, while Turbyfill is among the GLVC leaders in tackles per game. In the national picture, McKendree charts in the NCAA Top 25 for passing offense, team TFLs, sacks, and yards per punt. 

SCOUTING MISSOURI S&T
The Miners arrive at 3-4 (1-3 in the GLVC) after a 56-13 home loss to UIndy in which they threw for 270 yards, but were stymied on the ground (11 net rushing yards). Quarterbacks Jake Farrell and Austin Havens have spread it to vertical threats like Tyler Gioia (59-yard TD last week) and Brennan Taranto. Seasonally, S&T scores 27 points per game and throws it comfortably (~ 297 attempts, 2,076 yards, 58.9% completion). Defensively, the Miners can create havoc - 9.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks vs. UIndy - with Seneca Bradley (10 tackles, 1 forced fumble), Benltey Hart (TFLs, forced fumble) and Cameron Sturgell (sack, fumble recovery) among the disruptors. The flip side: S&T has allowed 34.6 points per game and has surrendered a couple explosive passes, a pressure point against McKendree's downfield concepts. 

McKENDREE'S KEYS TO THE GAME
Win on first down; Win the pocket
Stay efficient on early downs and keep Michael clean; S&T's front can generate negative plays, but McKendree's offensive line has handled speed and stunts well the past two weeks. 

Explosive efficiency without turnovers
Leverage Ford/Jones Jr./Hall/Richard to stress S&T vertically and horizontally, then finish drives - McKendree is 88% in the red zone and must maintain that clip. 

Set the edge and rally
S&T's pass game is the engine; force predictable downs with disciplined run fits and condense windows for Farrell/Havens. Create takeaways - McKendree is top-two GLVC in interceptions - and protect the field-position edge with Reeves' punting and the return game. 

WHAT'S AT STAKE
It's a chance for McKendree to cement second place and keep pressure on UIndy entering the final month. The matchup also carries historical weight: while S&T leads the all-time series, McKendree has captured the last three meetings and is 6-4 over the last 10. A win stacks a fourth straight in the rivalry, secures a winning GLVC record into late October, and preserves valuable tiebreak equity in a crowded middle of the table.