HILLSDALE, MI - McKendree University Football put together several productive offensive drives and remained within one score well into the second quarter Saturday afternoon, but a series of explosive plays allowed Hillsdale College to pull away for a 55-24 victory at Frank "Muddy" Waters Stadium.
The Bearcats (0-2) finished with 319 yards of total offense, including 228 through the air, while quarterback Kendrick Lyons completed 21-of-34 passes with a touchdown and no interceptions. McKendree also protected the football throughout the afternoon, finishing without a turnover for the second consecutive week.
Hillsdale (1-0) countered with 497 yards of offense, with 314 coming on the ground. The Chargers were particularly effective in generating explosive plays, including touchdown runs of 78 and 80 yards and a 96-yard kickoff return for a score.
BEARCATS ANSWER EARLY
Hillsdale opened the scoring with an 11-play, 61-yard touchdown drive, but McKendree's offense responded.
After an initial Bearcat possession reached the Hillsdale 21-yard line, the McKendree defense forced a three-and-out that included dropping Charger starting running back Ben Ngishu for a 12-yard loss. The ensuing punt gave the Bearcats possession at the Hillsdale 36, and Lyons quickly took advantage of the favorable field position.
On third-and-four, Lyons connected with David Richard for 10 yards to move the chains before finding Quincy Hall Jr. for a 20-yard touchdown two plays later, evening the score at 7-7 with 1:31 remaining in the opening quarter.
Hillsdale immediately regained the lead when Shea Ruddy returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, but McKendree answered once again.
Beginning at its own 35, the Bearcats marched 65 yards on nine plays, converting a third-and-12 along the way when Lyons found Hall for a 29-yard completion. Lyons ultimately finished the drive himself, scrambling 11 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14 with 12:05 remaining in the second quarter.
EXPLOSIVE PLAYS SHIFT MOMENTUM
Hillsdale regained the lead on its next possession with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Colin McKernan to Tutt Carrico, beginning a stretch that ultimately created separation before halftime.
After McKendree was forced to punt, Ngishu broke free for a 78-yard touchdown on Hillsdale's first play of the ensuing possession. The Chargers later added another score with 20 seconds remaining in the half to take a 35-14 advantage into the locker room. Hillsdale produced 203 yards of offense in the second quarter, including 111 on the ground.
The Bearcats continued to battle after halftime.
Trailing 41-14 midway through the third quarter, McKendree put together one of its strongest possessions of the afternoon. Kendric Johnson opened the drive with a 20-yard reception before the Bearcats moved into Hillsdale territory. Lyons later connected with Izaias Primus to convert a third down, and Jerry Richardson finished the seven-play, 75-yard march with a 10-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 41-21.
The Chargers, however, again answered immediately with an explosive play, as Ngishu scored on an 80-yard run just 18 seconds after Richardson's touchdown. Ngishu finished the afternoon with 212 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
LYONS, HALL LEAD PASSING ATTACK
Lyons continued his productive start to the season through the air, completing passes to 10 different Bearcats Saturday.
Hall led the receiving corps with five catches for 75 yards and a touchdown, while Johnson caught four passes for 64 yards. Daryle Jones Jr. added three receptions for 28 yards. Richardson led McKendree on the ground with 32 yards and a touchdown, while Lyons added 29 rushing yards and a score.
McKendree also continued to take care of the football. Neither team committed a turnover Saturday, while the Bearcats were penalized just once for 15 yards. McKendree converted seven of its 15 third down opportunities and finished a perfect 4-for-4 on trips into the red zone.
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Darren Pennell paced the Bearcat defense with seven tackles, including four solo stops. Nick Bova and Cyris Davis each finished with six tackles, while Drake Mosley added five.
Joel Codjoe-DePluzer recorded McKendree's lone sack of the afternoon, dropping Hillsdale quarterback Cole Canter for a six-yard loss in the fourth quarter.
FINISHING THE AFTERNOON
Despite the deficit, McKendree continued to move the football late in the fourth quarter.
The Bearcats' final possession covered 78 yards over 12 plays and nearly six minutes. Lyons connected with Michale Sutton for 16 yards before finding Johnson for a game-long 38-yard completion into Hillsdale territory. Truman Carnine capped the drive by connecting on a 29-yard field goal with 33 seconds remaining, setting the final margin at 55-24.
WHAT'S AHEAD
McKendree will now return home for the first time in 2026, with the Bearcats set to host #9-ranked UIndy (1-1), who just suffered their first regular season home loss since September 28th, 2024 by falling to #15 Findlay, 30-10.
The Bearcats, who transition to their Bye Week for Week Two, also host their annual Celebration of Champions, honoring all the teams and individuals that won either Great Lakes Valley Conference or National Championships, as well as other deep and reputable finishes. It will also be Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day.
Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM Central Time from Leemon Field.
