Lebanon, IL - The lights will be on, and conference play will be underway Saturday night at Leemon Field, as McKendree University Football welcomes the University of Indianapolis for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The matchup marks the Bearcats' long-awaited 2026 home opener and, more notably, a home night game, setting the stage for a rare Saturday night atmosphere in Lebanon as McKendree takes its shot at the defending GLVC champions.

GAME INFORMATION
(RV) Indianapolis (1-2, 0-0 GLVC) at McKendree (0-2, 0-0 GLVC)
Saturday, September 19 | 7:00 PM CT
Leemon Field | Lebanon, Illinois
Watch Live | GLVCSN ($)
Listen Live | 88.7 WICR FM
Live Stats | Sidearm Sports
Tickets | UniversityTickets
Tailgate Lot Opens | 4:00 PM
General Gate Opens | 5:30 PM

A RARE NIGHT AT LEEMON FIELD
Saturday will be just the second game at Leemon Field to kick off as late as 7 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for 1 p.m. before being moved to the evening due to excessive heat. 

While the lights at Leemon Field have taken effect in the closing stages of plenty of afternoon games over the years, a true night kickoff has become somewhat of a rarity. The only other 7 p.m. start came on September 13, 2008 against Marian, giving Saturday's conference opener a setting that isn't often seen in the program's history. 

FINALLY HOME
After opening the season with consecutive road trips and following that with a scheduled bye week, McKendree will play in front of its home crowd for the first time in 2026. Saturday will be the 127th game played at Leemon Field, where the Bearcats own an 88-38 record.

McKendree will also look to get back in the win column in a home opener after defeating Minnesota State Moorhead 22-15 to begin its 2024 home schedule. This will be the first time since the COVID-shortened Spring 2021 campaign that the home opener will be a GLVC contest. 

A FAMILIAR FOE COMES TO TOWN
Few programs have defined the recent history of GLVC Football like Indianapolis. The Greyhounds, who are departing the GLVC in totality after the 2026-27 academic year for the GMAC, have won four consecutive conference championships and 11 GLVC titles overall. They finished a perfect 8-0 in conference play last season, advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs, and were again selected as the GLVC preseason favorite for 2026. 

But the Greyhounds arrive in Lebanon looking to steady themselves. After opening the year with a 39-7 victory over Marian, UIndy has dropped two straight, 30-10 against Findlay and 19-12 at Davenport, falling to 1-2 entering conference play. 

THE BEARCATS HAVE DONE IT BEFORE
McKendree doesn't have to look far into the history books to find proof that the Greyhounds can be beaten. 

The Bearcats' lone victory in 14 all-time meetings came in 2023, when McKendree went on the road and stunned No. 8 UIndy, 21-16, marking the program's first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent of its NCAA Division II era. 

There is another piece of history still waiting to be made Saturday: McKendree has never beaten Indianapolis at Leemon Field, carrying a 0-6 home record in the series into the weekend. 

LAST TIME UNDER THE LIGHTS
The Greyhounds' most recent trip to Lebanon showed just how dangerous McKendree can be in this matchup. In October 2024, the Bearcats produced 497 yards of total offense and 26 first downs, throwing for 400 yards and outgaining UIndy 497-397. 

McKendree also registered five sacks and played turnover-free football before ultimately coming up eight points short, 42-34. 

LYONS LEADS THE ATTACK
Sophomore quarterback Kendrick Lyons enters the home opener having completed 40-of-68 passes for 487 yards and four touchdowns through his first two games. Most importantly, Lyons has yet to throw an interception in 2026. 

His leading targets have already made an impact. Quincy Hall Jr. has 12 receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns, while Kendric Johnson has added 135 receiving yards and two scores. Johnson leads McKendree with 260 all-purpose yards through two games. 

UIndy, meanwhile, has turned the ball over three times through three games, including two lost fumbles and an interception. 

CONTAINING SHERRELL
The UIndy offense has been paced by running back Garrett Sherrell, who has rushed for 242 yards and three touchdowns on just 28 carries, averaging 8.6 yards per attempt. Quarterback Nick Patterson has completed 50-of-81 passes for 562 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. 

For McKendree, linebackers Nick Bova and safety Darren Pennell share the team lead with 15 tackles apiece, while Bova and Joel Codjoe-DePluzer have each recorded a sack. 

A FRESH START
Whatever happened during the opening two weeks, Saturday offers something different.

It's the home opener. It's the GLVC opener. It's an opportunity against the league's four-time defending champion. And when the sun goes down over Leemon Field, McKendree will get to play underneath the lights at home. 

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday.