Lebanon, IL - McKendree put itself within a point late in the third quarter Saturday afternoon, but Northeastern State scored the final 10 points to hand the Bearcats a 31-20 loss on Senior Day at Leemon Field.
The Bearcats fell to 3-7 overall in their final home game of the season. Northeastern State, which entered the afternoon receiving votes in the national poll, improved to 6-3.
AN EARLY SPARK
McKendree's defense provided the first opening. Mylan Nettles broke up a fourth-down pass at the Bearcats' 30-yard line, and the offense needed just four plays to turn that stop into points.
Kendrick Lyons connected with Aiden Jones for 58 yards on the first snap of the possession, moving McKendree deep into NSU territory. Three plays later, Lyons found Kamren Schumacher for an 11-yard touchdown, with Warren Tomczak's extra point giving the Bearcats a 7-0 lead at the 8:11 mark.
Drake Mosley kept the momentum going by forcing and recovering a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. McKendree could not add to its lead, however, and Northeastern State answered with a 14-play, 83-yard touchdown drive that tied the game early in the second quarter.
The Bearcats responded with their longest possession of the afternoon, covering 60 yards over 12 plays and taking nearly seven minutes off the clock. Tomczak finished the drive with a 24-yard field goal for a 10-7 advantage. NSU followed with another extended march, traveling 76 yards in 13 plays to take a 14-10 lead into halftime.
BACK WITHIN ONE
McKendree opened the second half by forcing a three-and-out, but a fumble on the punt return gave Northeastern State possession at the Bearcats' 24. The RiverHawks converted the short field into a touchdown and a 21-10 lead.
The Bearcats had an answer.
Philip Shaw opened the next possession with a nine-yard run, and Lyons kept the drive moving with a 16-yard completion to Kendric Johnson and a 14-yard scramble. A 14-yard connection with Jones brought McKendree inside the 10 before Lyons found Johnson for an eight-yard touchdown. The six-play, 77-yard march trimmed the deficit to 21-17 with 6:43 left in the third.
On Northeastern State's next offensive snap, Kaleb Randolph forced a fumble that Connor Sullivan recovered at the NSU 35. McKendree gained just two yards on the possession, but Tomczak delivered from 50 yards out, bringing the Bearcats within 21-20 with 4:36 remaining in the quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER SEPARATION
Northeastern State regained some breathing room with an 11-play, 88-yard drive, finishing it with a 12-yard touchdown pass just 11 seconds into the fourth quarter.
McKendree's defense later prevented another scoring opportunity when Gerald Floyd forced a fumble at the Bearcats' 15-yard line. Randolph recovered with 9:05 remaining, keeping the margin at eight and giving the offense another chance to draw even.
The Bearcats could not turn that takeaway into points. NSU added a 21-yard field goal with 2:32 left to make it a two-possession game, and an interception ended McKendree's final drive.
BEARCAT LEADERS
Lyons finished with 178 passing yards and two touchdowns. Jones led McKendree with 82 receiving yards on two catches, while Daryle Jones Jr. added three receptions for 40 yards. Johnson caught two passes for 24 yards and a touchdown, and Izaias Primus paced the rushing attack with 46 yards on eight carries.
Tomczak made both field goal attempts and both extra points. Jerry Richardson contributed 115 yards on five kickoff returns.
Nick Bova led the defense with 11 tackles, followed by Darren Pennell with nine and Aden Chase with seven. Robert Frank and Jayden Howard each recorded six stops, while Nettles broke up two passes. McKendree recovered all three Northeastern State fumbles.
The RiverHawks finished with a 431-233 advantage in total offense and held possession for 35:41. McKendree converted two of its 12 third-down opportunities, while NSU finished 9-for-15.
RECOGNIZING THE SENIORS
Saturday also gave McKendree the opportunity to recognize the seniors who have been part of its fall Saturdays at Leemon Field. Football's seniors were honored before kickoff, while senior members of cheer, dance, band, and color guard were recognized during halftime.
UP NEXT
McKendree closes its 2026 season on Saturday, November 14th, at Truman State. The Bulldogs defeated William Jewell today, 47-10, and will be playing for an outright GLVC Football Championship, now leading William Jewell, Indianapolis, and Upper Iowa by one game. Kickoff is set for 3:00 PM from Stokes Stadium in Kirksville, Missouri.
