Lebanon, IL - McKendree University Football (4-7, 4-4) capped its 2025 season on Saturday at Leemon Field, falling 45-13 to Truman State (8-3, 7-1) but battling for four full quarters in front of the Senior Day crowd. The Bearcats were able to generate scoring drives in three different quarters, produced a defensive touchdown, and leaned on a handful of explosive plays offensively, but the Bulldogs offense prevailed for the victory. 

After Truman State opened with a 50-yard scoring march, the Bearcats countered with one of their most balanced possessions of the afternoon. Eddie Clark jump-started the response with a string of downhills runs, helping McKendree convert multiple first downs and grind more than five minutes of clock. That drive set up Chase Reeves, who drilled a 41-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3 late in the quarter. Truman State answered with a long pass play into Bearcat territory, but McKendree held the Bulldogs to that lone score in the quarter. 

The second frame belonged to Truman State on the scoreboard, though the Bearcats continued to move the ball in spurts. Clark would shoulder the load on the ground, and Colt Michael found Jaylen Ford and Brylan Apholone on short, but chain-moving completions, as McKendree tried to sustain drives. a turnover on downs near midfield gave the Bulldogs a short field, setting up their third touchdown of the half. McKendree nearly pieced together a late answer before going into halftime down 28-3. 

McKendree delivered its brightest moment immediately out of the break. After Truman State began its opening drive of the half, the Bulldogs fumbled near the goal line - and linebacker Drake Mosley pounced, taking the loose ball into the end zone for a defensive touchdown that brought life back to the home sideline and cut the margin to 28-10. Truman State responded, though, with a methodical drive of its own and later added a field goal to take a 38-10 lead into the fourth quarter. 

The Bearcats pieced together what would be their best offensive surge of the game early in the fourth. Kendrick Lyons was under center, and found Keion Afford on a 33-yard strike to power a 72-yard drive, highlighted moments later by a 31-yard burst from Clark that set up Reeves for his second field goal of the day - this one from 27 yards out. Truman State added a long touchdown run on the ensuing drive, but McKendree closed its 2025 campaign by stringing together another extended drive in the closing minutes, pushing inside the red zone before time expired. 

BEARCAT NOTABLES
Offensive
Eddie Clark | 20 carries, 71 rushing yards
Keion Afford | 2 receptions, 55 yards

Defensive
Drake Mosley | 6 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, fumble-return touchdown
Darren Pennell | 13 total tackles

Special Teams
Chase Reeves | 2-for-2 field goals (41 and 27 yards), 5 punts for 246 yards (49.2 average), and 3 punts inside the 20
Owen Quigley | fumble recovery on the muffed punt at the Truman State 11. 

SENIOR DAY NOTE!
The Bearcat Football seniors were honored before the game, while Band, Color Guard, Dance, and Cheer were all honored at halftime. If you are in search of pictures from this recognition, please CLICK HERE for that album.