Bolivar, MO - McKendree University Football (2-3, 2-1 GLVC) heads to Plaster Stadium for a pivotal GLVC road test at Southwest Baptist (3-2, 2-1 GLVC) on Saturday, October 11th at 1:00 PM CST, carrying momentum from last week's rivalry win and looking to stack a second such result away from home.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE GAME
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)
*Tickets are Cash Only - $10 Adult, $5 Child*
RECAPPING QUINCY
The Bearcats closed out a trophy game grind at Quincy, 24-21, behind a complete, late-game performance.
Ty Michael went 20-for-40 with 272 yards and two touchdowns,
Eddie Clark shouldered 27 carries for 131 yards and a 15-yard score, and
Jaylen Ford led the receivers (7-106-1). The defense slammed the door after halftime - 22 rushing yards allowed (1.2 per carry) and 2-for-10 on third down - setting the stage for
Chase Reeves' clutch 44-yard game-winner after a punting effort of 52.4 yards per punt and three of over 50 yards. McKendree controlled the tempo at 34:36 of possession with 7/17 (41%) on third down.
UPDATES ON McKENDREE
Through five games, McKendree's profile is sharpening: #4 in the GLVC in passing offense (272.6 yards per game), #1 in punting (43 yards per punt), #1 in interceptions (6), and #2 in team sacks (15), while kickoff returns lead the league (26.4 yards per game). Individually, Clark paces the GLVC in rushing attempts and yards (98 for 424; 84.8 yards per game), Michael sits top-four in passing yards (1,271; 254.2 yards per game) with just two interceptions, and Reeves is 8-fo-10 on field goals with elite net-punting impact. Defensively,
Dameion Hatten headlines the front with 13.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks, and
Cyris Davis is tied for the GLVC lead with three interceptions.
SCOUTING SOUTHWEST BAPTIST
SBU enters with an explosive, pass-first balance: 38 points per game and 446 yards per game overall, including 274.4 passing yards per game (16 touchdowns) and 171.6 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Jaron Saunders has been sharp (98-155, 63.2% completion rate, 1,350 yards, 15 touchdowns, 3 interceptions), running back Jobe Smith runs at 5.5 yards per carry (392 yards), and wide receiver Avery Lambert is the vertical ace (part of a 191-yard day at Lincoln, including long strikes). The defense is disruptive up front (12 sacks) and leans on tacklers like Ricky Woodhouse (53) and Jed Brandon (42), with Caleb Saner bringing 11.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. On special teams, SBU's kickoff metrics pop at 58.4 yards per kickoff.
MCKENDREE'S KEYS TO THE GAME
Win early downs to manage pressure
SBU's 12 sacks come when offenses drift behind the chains. Staying on schedule preserves McKendree's play-action menu for Michael.
Cap explosives over the top
Saunders-to-Lambert can flip possessions in one shot (SBU 13.6 yards per catch). Deny the post/go and rally to tackle.
Feed Clark's efficiency
A steady dose on early downs forces honest boxes and sets up shot plays to Ford, Jones Jr., and Apholone.
Leverage the edges in special teams
Reeves' form - 43 yards per punt, 8 field goals - against SBU's strong kick game makes field position a swing state. Clean operation and coverage discpline matter.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Both teams sit at 2-1 in league play, and this head-to-head is the classic October separator with tiebreak weight. A McKendree win delivers a third GLVC victory, a second straight ont he road, and cements momentum entering the back half. For SBU, protecting home field preserves pace with the conference's top tier and keeps multiple paths open down the stretch.
