Lebanon, IL - The McKendree University Football team may have dropped its Week Zero opener at Saginaw Valley State this past Thursday, but the game result did not come without individual recognition. It was announced Monday afternoon that freshman kicker Truman Carnine had won the Great Lakes Valley Conference's Special Teams Player of the Week award. 

Thursday, the Bearcats fell at Saginaw Valley State, 48-24, but the special teams unit still shined. Carnine's 29-yard field goal in the first half was the first points of the 2026 season.

The Mt. Vernon Ram alumnus was also a perfect 3-for-3 on his point-after tries, tops in the league. When part of the kickoff unit, Carnine also averaged 58.6 yards per kickoff. 

In his prep years, Carnine was an Honorable Mention All-State Selection for the Rams in the Illinois High School Association's 5A Class. 

The Bearcats are in preparation mode for their Week One game this Saturday, September 5th, an 11:00 AM CST kickoff at the Hillsdale Chargers.