Kirksville, MO - McKendree University football heads to northeast Missouri for the final time in 2026, closing out the season Saturday against Truman State. The Bearcats will look to finish the year on a high note against a Bulldog team that has found its stride down the stretch and enters the weekend on a four-game winning streak with an opportunity to clinch an outright GLVC Football Championship with a win.
GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: McKendree Bearcats (3-7, 3-4 GLVC) at Truman State Bulldogs (6-4, 6-1 GLVC)
Date: Saturday, November 14th
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Stokes Stadium | Kirksville, MO
Watch: GLVCSN ($)
Live Stats: Sidearm Sports
Tickets: TixTrack
All-Time Series: Truman State 10, McKendree 3
Last Meeting: Bulldogs 45, Bearcats 13 (11/15/25 @ Lebanon, IL)
BEARCATS LOOK TO FINISH STRONG
McKendree enters the finale following a 31-20 loss to (RV) Northeastern State on Senior Day at Leemon Field.
The Bearcats struck first and later pulled back within one at 21-20 in the third quarter before Northeastern State closed the afternoon with the final 10 points. McKendree finished with 233 yards of offense, while Kendrick Lyons threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns.
McKendree did create opportunities defensively, recovering three Northeastern State fumbles. Nick Bova finished with 11 tackles, Darren Pennell added nine, and Aden Chase recorded seven stops with a tackle for loss.
The Bearcats have averaged 29.4 points and 385.9 yards of offense per game this season, with the passing game accounting for 266.4 yards per contest.
Lyons has thrown for 2,639 yards and 23 touchdowns through 10 games, while Jerry Richardson leads the ground game with 712 yards and six touchdowns on 137 carries. Izaias Primus has added 383 rushing yards and two scores.
BULLDOGS ON A ROLL
Truman enters the weekend as one of the hottest teams in the GLVC.
After opening the season 0-3, the Bulldogs have won six of their last seven games and four straight. Truman has defeated Quincy, Southwest Baptist, Lincoln and William Jewell during its current winning streak, including a 47-10 road victory over Jewell last Saturday.
The Bulldogs have been especially dominant over the last three weeks, outscoring Southwest Baptist, Lincoln and William Jewell by a combined 136-30.
Against Jewell, Truman rolled up 452 yards of total offense and rushed for 250 yards on 42 carries. The Bulldogs scored touchdowns on seven offensive drives and held Jewell to just 220 total yards.
Quarterback Dylan Hair completed 13 of 21 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns in the win, while Madden Irving rushed for 85 yards and two scores. Irving also hauled in a 39-yard touchdown pass.
GROUND GAME SETS THE TONE
Truman has leaned on a balanced offensive attack throughout the year, but the Bulldogs have been particularly effective on the ground.
They enter the finale averaging 198.6 rushing yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry, while scoring 20 rushing touchdowns. Truman is also averaging 32.3 points and 394.4 yards of offense per game.
Irving has accounted for 18 total touchdowns this season, while the Bulldogs have been efficient in possession situations, converting 50 percent of their third-down opportunities and 79 percent of their fourth-down attempts.
That efficiency will put an emphasis on McKendree getting off the field when opportunities arise and preventing Truman from settling into the long, methodical drives it has used effectively during its recent run.
TRUMAN DEFENSE MAKING LIFE DIFFICULT
The Bulldogs have been equally productive on the defensive side of the ball.
Truman allows just 19.2 points and 300.1 total yards per game, including only 86.7 rushing yards per contest. Opponents are averaging 2.7 yards per carry against the Bulldogs.
The defensive front has produced 24 sacks and 78 tackles for loss. Jack Weltha leads Truman with 78 tackles and four sacks, while Bryant Pool has 73 stops and 9.5 tackles for loss. Alex Medina owns a team-best 11 tackles for loss, and James Franklin III has intercepted three passes.
For McKendree, staying ahead of the chains and protecting Lyons will be important against a defense that has made negative plays a regular part of its identity.
ONE LAST OPPORTUNITY
Saturday closes the book on McKendree's 2026 season.
The Bearcats have already earned conference victories over UIndy, Quincy and Lincoln this fall and now head into one final road test against a Truman team playing its best football of the year.
With no next week left on the schedule, McKendree will look to put together one more complete effort and finish the season on a positive note.
