Lebanon, IL - McKendree twice pulled within three points in the second half Saturday, but Upper Iowa maintained possession over the final 3:20 to secure a 31-28 victory at Leemon Field.
The Bearcats (3-6, 3-4 GLVC) outgained the Peacocks 445-417, with all four McKendree scoring drives covering at least 75 yards. Kendrick Lyons completed 18 of 34 passes for 325 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with three receivers for scores.
Upper Iowa improved to 5-4 overall and 4-2 in league play. An interception return and a blocked punt recovery accounted for two Peacock touchdowns, while McKendree was assessed 16 penalties for 111 yards.
ANSWERING THROUGH THE AIR
McKendree answered an early 7-0 deficit with a seven-play, 85-yard drive that carried into the second quarter. Lyons found Kamren Schumacher for a 34-yard touchdown with 14:11 remaining in the half, and Truman Carnine's extra point tied the game at 7.
A 57-yard interception return and a 27-yard touchdown run put the Peacocks ahead 21-7 with 4:25 remaining in the half.
McKendree needed only one snap to answer. On the first play following the kickoff, Lyons connected with Aiden Jones for a 75-yard scoring strike, bringing the Bearcats back within a touchdown with 4:08 left before intermission.
A 32-yard field goal made it 24-14, but McKendree prevented further damage on the final series of the half. With Upper Iowa at the Bearcats' 1-yard line, Connor Sullivan delivered a 4-yard sack as time expired.
DEFENSIVE STOPS CREATE OPPORTUNITIES
McKendree's defense delivered another stand to begin the third quarter. Nick Bova and Jackson Barnhart combined to stop a fourth-and-1 rushing attempt for no gain at the Bearcats' 7, turning the ball over to an offense facing a long field.
Lyons and the receiving corps worked their way downfield, with Kendric Johnson contributing catches of 33 and 13 yards. Schumacher added a 16-yard reception before finishing the 11-play possession with a 1-yard touchdown catch. Carnine's kick trimmed the margin to 24-21 with 5:48 left in the quarter.
On the ensuing drive, Mylan Nettles forced a fumble that Josiah Houston recovered in the end zone for a touchback, denying another potential Peacock score.
Upper Iowa subsequently restored its 10-point cushion by recovering a blocked punt in the end zone with 1:08 remaining in the third.
The Bearcats forced punts on the Peacocks' next two possessions, creating another opening midway through the fourth. Starting at its own 7, McKendree traveled 93 yards in 11 plays, including a 22-yard completion to Michale Sutton on fourth-and-1. Jerry Richardson followed with a 10-yard run, and Lyons later found Johnson for a 23-yard touchdown with 3:27 to play.
That brought the hosts within 31-28, but they would not get another possession. A 24-yard run helped the Peacocks move the chains and exhaust the remaining time.
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Johnson finished with seven receptions for 130 yards, while Schumacher caught four passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns. Jones totaled 80 yards on two catches, and Daryle Jones Jr. added three grabs for 31 yards.
Richardson paced the ground game with 93 yards on 20 carries and contributed 115 yards on kickoff returns for 208 all-purpose yards. Carnine converted all four extra-point attempts.
Bova led McKendree with 12 tackles. Nettles supplied seven stops and two pass breakups in addition to his forced fumble, while Darren Pennell, Jaden Graham, and Jayden Howard recorded six tackles apiece. Kaleb Randolph and Keaton Fort joined Sullivan with one sack each.
The Bearcats limited Upper Iowa to one conversion in nine third-down attempts and kept its offense out of the end zone throughout the second half.
NEXT UP - SENIOR DAY
McKendree will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, November 7th, when the Northeastern State RiverHawks (5-3 overall; no conference affiliation) visit Leemon Field for a 1:00 PM non-conference matchup.
The teams met last season in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, where Northeastern State won 44-10. The RiverHawks are receiving votes nationally and have earned wins over a familiar-sounding schedule of Missouri S&T, Truman State, and William Jewell this fall, including an overtime decision against Truman. Their latest outing was a 59-10 victory over Langston on Saturday.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early for pregame recognition of McKendree's football seniors. The cheer, dance, band, and color guard programs will be honored at halftime.
