Lebanon, IL - The McKendree University Football team (4-6, 4-3) will close out its 2025 campaign on Saturday afternoon, welcoming Truman State (7-3, 6-1) to Leemon Field for a 3:00 PM kickoff. The matchup pits a Bearcat squad seeking its fifth conference win of the season against a Bulldog team still in contention for a share of the GLVC crown. McKendree aims to finish its home slate on a high note against a team that's proven to be one of many powers in a toughly contested league. It is also Senior Day, with the Bearcats holding a pregame recognition ceremony that is anticipated to start at 2:35 PM. 

HOW TO FOLLOW THE GAME
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)
Tickets (UniversityTickets)

RECAPPING NORTHEASTERN STATE
McKendree closed its road schedule with a 44-10 setback at Northeastern State last weekend, but showed bright stretches in all three phases. The Bearcats opened with a 10-play, 45-yard drive capped by a 31-yard field goal from kicker Chase Reeves, who continues to rank among the GLVC leaders in field goals and punting average. Colt Michael connected on a 59-yard touchdown strike to Daryle Jones Jr., whose two catches totaled 80 yards on the day. Running back Eddie Clark led the ground attack with 74 yards on 19 carries, while linebacker Logan Turbyfill paced the defense with 14 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. The defense found rhythm late, forcing a three-and-out to open the fourth quarter and turning away a red zone drive on downs. 

CHECKING IN ON THE BEARCATS
The Bearcats wrap up the 2025 campaign seeking a fifth conference win - something the program has achieved twice since moving to NCAA Division-II affiliation. Under coach Jason Rejfek, McKendree's growth has been visible across situation defense and special teams. The Bearcats rank 10th nationally in fourth-down defense (27.8%) and 11th in net punting (39.1 yards per punt). 

Offensively, McKendreely continues to lean on balance. Eddie Clark sits second in the league in rushing yards (806) and first in all purpose yardage (1,072). Quincy Hall Jr. averages 18.0 yards per catch, while Daryle Jones Jr. leads the team at 19.3 yards per catch. 

Defensively, Logan Turbyfill's 79 total tackles lead the team, and senior Dameion Hatten has been a force up front - ranking fourth nationally in tackles for loss (17.0). The Bearcats' front seven has produced 23 team sacks, tied for second in the GLVC, and McKendree also boasts four blocked kicks this season, tied for 17th nationally.

SCOUTING TRUMAN STATE
Truman State enters this one tied for second in the conference and fighting for its fifth straight eight-win season, led by second-year head coach Kellen Nesbitt. The Bulldogs ride a five-game win streak, most recently dispatching William Jewell 35-17 in a game dominated by their rushing attack and ball control. Truman State averaged 7.1 yards per play, piled up 251 rushing yards, and went a perfect 5-for-5 in the red zone.

Quarterback Dylan Hair directs a balanced offense, passing for 2,043 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 645 yards and seven scores. Running back Denim Cook anchors the ground game with 807 yards and nine touchdowns, while wideout Nathan Ryan headlines the receiving corps with 518 yards and eight TDs. Defensively, linebacker Jack Weltha has notched 79 tackles, and the Bulldogs have forced 13 turnovers while limiting opponents to 372.9 total yards per game. Truman State ranks third in the GLVC in scoring defense (23.5 ppg) and second in rushing offense (201.8 ypg). 

BEARCAT KEYS TO THE GAME
Control the Chains
McKendree sits among the nation's top ten in fourth down defense and conversion rate offensively (57.7%). Sustaining drives and forcing turnovers on downs could tilt possession and tempo in favor of the Bearcats. 

Win the Line of Scrimmage
Truman State averages nearly 202 rushing yards per game. The front, led by Dameion Hatten, Robert Frank, Tanner Hollerich, and others must create disruption early and limit Truman State's downhill rhythm. 

Maximize Special Teams
With Reeves among national leaders in both punting and field goals, flipping field position and converting red zone chances will be critical in a matchup historically decided by hidden-yardage plays and field control. 

WHAT'S AT STAKE
For McKendree, Saturday's kickoff marks not only the season finale, but a chance to honor the Senior Day players who have helped reestablish the program's competitive footing under Rejfek. A win would secure the program's second consecutive winning record in GLVC play and close the season with momentum against one of the league's best in 2025. 

Truman State, meanwhile, looks to keep its playoff hopes alive and avenge last year's 28-21 home loss to McKendree, a result that snapped a six-game winning streak for them in the series.

The Bearcats will aim to make it back-to-back series victories and finish 2025 on their home turf with statement-level energy headed into the offseason.