Tahlequah, OK - The McKendree University Football team (4-6) had a unique out-of-conference opportunity on Saturday, traveling through the Ozark countryside and into the capital of the Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to take on the Northeastern State Riverhawks (7-3) in the final road game of the 2025 season. The Bearcats connected on a deep touchdown strike in the third quarter and forced a takeaway early in the second half, but a fast-starting RiverHawks teams used balance on both sides of the ball to maintain control throughout, taking the game by a 44-10 final score.
The RiverHawks opened with a pair of early scores before McKendree settled in. The Bearcats offense found rhythm late in the first quarter, leaning on
Eddie Clark in the run game and keeping the chains moving through the air. A 10-play, 45-yard drive capped by a 31-yard field goal from
Chase Reeves put McKendree on the board and drew the margin to 14-3.
Midway through the second quarter,
Joel Codjoe-DePluzer broke through the line for a sack at the McKendree 22, halting a Riverhawk drive and giving the Bearcats a needed defensive spark. Northeastern State added to its lead in the second quarter and used a safety before halftime to take a 30-3 advantage into the break.
Out of the locker room, McKendree created the momentum swing it was looking for.
Johnnie Robinson recovered a fumble at midfield to set up the Bearcats in prime position, and moments later,
Colt Michael dropped a perfect deep ball to
Daryle Jones Jr. for a 59-yard touchdown that electrified the sideline and trimmed the deficit to 37-10 midway through the third.
After the 59-yard strike trimmed the margin, the Riverhawks answered once more late in the third on a short scoring pass to make it 44-10 heading to the final period.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Bearcat defense. McKendree forced a quick three-and-out to start the frame, led by
Logan Turbyfill as the pace-setter, then later stood tall on a red zone series that ended on downs at the McKendree 15, keeping the hosts off the board over the last 15 minutes.
BEARCAT STATS NOTABLES
Offensive
Daryle Jones Jr. | 2 receptions, 80 yards, 1 touchdown
Eddie Clark | 19 rushes, 74 yards
Defensive
Logan Turbyfill | 14 tackles (7 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss
Robert Frank | 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss
Special Teams
Chase Reeves | 1-2 field goals, 4 punts, 39.5 yards per punt
Quincy Hall Jr. | 6 kick returns, 126 yards, 2 punt returns, 9 yards
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
Senior Day & Celebration of Champions
vs. Truman State Bulldogs (7-3, 6-1)
at Leemon Field - Lebanon, Illinois
Saturday, November 15th - 3:00 PM
Watch Live ($) (GLVCSN)
Live Stats (Sidearm Sports)
Tickets (UniversityTickets)
