Lebanon, Ill. – The battle of the Bearcats was a rainy one, hosted by McKendree this season. The home squad took the game by a score of 24-14 thanks to 10 points in the 4^th quarter. SBU falls to 3-5 (1-4 GLVC) on the year.
 
McKendree won the toss and elected to receive the ball first, where SBU made their first stop of the day. Starting with the ball on their own 19, SBU drove all the way to the MCK 22 where Kyle Ghetes made a field goal to jump ahead 3-0. Brenden Smith highlighted the drive with a 24-yard rush. After another McKendree punt, SBU drove down to the MCK 11 where they attempted a field goal, but a bobbled snap resulted in a failed attempt. On the very next play, De'shawn Tone forced a fumble that was recovered by Connor Hicks, setting SBU up on the McKendree 8-yard line.
 
After three unsuccessful tries at the end zone, SBU was forced to attempt another field goal. That attempt missed wide left, giving McKendree the ball back early in the 2^nd. McKendree drove the field in 7:07, ending in a touchdown to take a 7-3 lead. After punts by both teams, SBU began a drive on their own 20 that resulted in a 4^th and 14 incomplete pass attempt on the MCK 29-yard line. McKendree then took a knee to send the game into halftime at 7-3.
 
SBU's first drive of the 2^nd half was successful, scoring on a 36-yard field goal. Brenden Smith and Bryce Cabrera were the main contributors to that drive with a 25-yard rush by Smith and a 13-yard completion from Smith to Cabrera. SBU trailed just 7-6 following the score. The SBU defense forced a three-and-out on McKendree's next possession, but a muffed punt gave the home team possession once again on SBU's 28-yard line. Seven plays later, MCK extended their lead to 14-6 with a touchdown. With 7:16 remaining in the quarter, SBU regained possession and held it as the quarter came to an end.
 
The SBU Bearcats were faced with a 4^th and 7 on MCK's 10-yard line to begin the 4^th. A trick play was called, but the halfback pass fell incomplete as McKendree took over. MCK didn't make it far before the SBU defense made a 3^rd down stop giving their offense a chance again. Right away, Brenden Smith hit Curtis Cuillard for 21 yards and a roughing the passer penalty for 15 yards was tacked on. SBU chipped away with short run gains, including a 4^th and 1 Bryce Cabrera rush for 6 yards, until Brenden Smith broke free for 26 yards and a score. Smith connected with Cuillard again on the two-point conversion, tying the game at 14-14 with 7:55 remaining. McKendree then scored a 42-yard field goal on a relatively short drive, giving SBU the ball back with 4:17 to go. After 6 plays the Bearcats attempted to punt, but the ball dribbled back to the punter, unable to get the punt off. McKendree went on to score once more before the clock read 00:00, ending with a 24-14 final score in favor of MCK.
 
Brenden Smith led the way for the offense, throwing for 108 yards and rushing for 115 and a touchdown. Bryce Cabrera also contributed 84 rushing yards in the loss. The SBU defense was strong against the pass, holding MCK's quarterback to just 2 completions for 20 yards. De'shawn Tone had 9 total tackles, including 2.5 tackles for 13 yards lost, and a huge forced fumble.
 
The Bearcats remain on the road next week, traveling to Rolla as they take on the Missouri S&T Miners in more GLVC action.