Liberty, MO - The Bearcats made their statement under the lights. Now comes the opportunity to build on it.

Fresh off a 35-31 victory over (RV) Indianapolis, the McKendree University Football team heads to Liberty, Missouri on Saturday, September 26th, to face unbeaten William Jewell. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Greene Stadium.

McKendree enters at 1-2 overall and 1-0 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play after defeating UIndy in Lebanon for the first time in seven tries. William Jewell brings a 2-0 record and a 1-0 conference mark into its homecoming matchup following a 27-17 road victory at Southwest Baptist.

For the Bearcats, Saturday presents a chance to turn a breakthrough night into consecutive conference wins.

GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: McKendree (1-2, 1-0) at William Jewell (2-0, 1-0)
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Kickoff: 3 p.m. CT
Location: Liberty, Missouri
Stadium: Greene Stadium
Watch: GLVCSN ($)
Live Stats: Sidearm Sports
Tickets: Hometown Ticketing

A BREAKTHROUGH TO BUILD ON
McKendree's win over Indianapolis provided plenty of highlights, but the finish offered perhaps the clearest example of what the Bearcats can become.

After Kendrick Lyons found Kendric Johnson for the go-ahead, 24-yard touchdown with 7:46 remaining, the defense forced a three-and-out despite UIndy beginning its possession at the McKendree 40-yard line.

The offense then took over at its own three with 6:41 left.

The Greyhounds never got the ball back.

McKendree moved the chains, worked the clock and closed the game in victory formation. After dropping their first two games, the Bearcats answered with a performance that featured a defensive touchdown, four offensive touchdowns, and timely execution with the outcome hanging in the balance.

That same ability to finish will be valuable against a Jewell team that has outscored its first two opponents 49-7 after halftime.

LYONS LEADS AN AIR ATTACK FINDING ITS STRIDE
Lyons earned GLVC Offensive Player of the Week honors after completing 27 of 40 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns against UIndy, while adding a three-yard rushing score.

Johnson was his leading target, hauling in 10 passes for a career-high 152 yards and two touchdowns. The freshman has already connected with Lyons for four touchdown receptions through three games.

Quincy Hall Jr. added seven catches for 96 yards against the Greyhounds, providing another dependable option in an offense that saw nine different Bearcats record a reception. Kamren Schumacher contributed a two-yard touchdown catch on the first play of the fourth quarter.

That distribution will be important against a Jewell defense that has intercepted five passes and allowed just 163 passing yards per game through its first two contests.

FINISHING DRIVES AND PROTECTING POSSESSIONS
The Bearcats converted five of their 10 third-down attempts against UIndy, scored touchdowns on both red-zone trips and successfully converted their only fourth-down attempt.

Maintaining that efficiency will be a priority Saturday.

Jewell has limited opponents to five conversions on 30 third-down attempts, helping its defense allow just 15.5 points and 219 total yards per game.

McKendree also has room to sharpen its performance after committing three turnovers against Indianapolis. Against a defense capable of taking the ball away, protecting possessions will help the Bearcats sustain drives and keep their offense on the field.

DEFENSE FACES A GROUND GAME TEST
McKendree's defense delivered an immediate spark against UIndy when Jackson Barnhart forced a fumble that Darren Pennell returned 41 yards for a touchdown.

Its late stop was equally important, setting up the possession that ended the game.

The next step is pairing those decisive moments with greater consistency. Indianapolis finished with 459 total yards, including 246 on the ground, and William Jewell arrives with a rushing attack coming off a productive night.

Hunter Bailey carried 23 times for 148 yards and a touchdown at Southwest Baptist, while Ronnie Thomas Jr. added 79 yards and another score. The Cardinals finished with 215 rushing yards and controlled possession for 37:52.

Limiting early-down gains and creating longer third-down situations would give McKendree an opportunity to disrupt that approach.

SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
William Jewell erased a 10-0 deficit at Southwest Baptist, scoring 24 consecutive points before securing the 27-17 victory.

Quarterback Charlie Loose completed 18 of 27 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown. Xavier Winston caught three passes for 43 yards, including the 18-yard score that tied the game in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, the Cardinals held Southwest Baptist to 246 total yards and just seven second-half points. Caden McGhee and Michael Fabris each recorded seven tackles, with McGhee contributing 2.5 tackles for loss. Jayshawn Richmond and Kyler Craigg each intercepted a pass.

Jewell has won three straight games dating back to its 2025 season finale.

A SERIES EDGE - AND A NEW CHALLENGE
McKendree holds a 12-1 advantage in the all-time series entering the programs' 14th meeting.

The Bearcats won last season's matchup, 40-24, at Leemon Field, generating 485 total yards and converting all four field goal attempts.

Saturday brings a different setting and an unbeaten opponent eager to celebrate homecoming with another victory.

For McKendree, the opportunity is clear: carry the confidence, composure, and late-game execution from the UIndy win onto the road, return to .500 overall and move to 2-0 in the GLVC.

REMEMBERING MICAHJO BARNETT
Saturday will be William Jewell's first home game since the passing of starting running back MicahJo Barnett. Barnett experienced a medical emergency during the Cardinals' August 29 season opener against Fort Lewis and later died at a hospital.

McKendree continues to join the GLVC community in remembering MicahJo and will remain extending its condolences to his family, teammates, coaches and the William Jewell community.

Learn more about MicahJo and ways to support his family through the links below.

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