Truman State wrapped up the regular season with a resounding 45–13 road victory over McKendree on Saturday afternoon at Leemon Field, capping an 8–2 Division II campaign and a 7–1 GLVC slate. The Bulldogs controlled the line of scrimmage from start to finish, scored touchdowns on five of their first six possessions, and delivered the complete performance they needed to officially secure their first NCAA Division II playoff appearance in 31 years.
Truman wasted little time setting the tone. After the defense forced a punt on McKendree's opening series, the Bulldogs marched 50 yards in nine plays, leaning on the short passing game and steady inside runs. Quarterback Dylan Hair finished the drive with a 14-yard touchdown strike to Gerard Grewe, giving Truman a 7–0 lead with 8:47 remaining in the first quarter.
McKendree answered late in the period with a 41-yard field goal, but Truman struck back immediately on the first snap of the second quarter. Denim Cook powered in from six yards out to finish a 75-yard drive, pushing the lead to 14–3.
The Bulldogs' defense continued to dictate the pace, forcing long-yardage situations and stuffing the run. Truman turned that defensive momentum into another extended scoring drive midway through the quarter, going 89 yards in 11 plays before Hair hit Grewe again, this time from six yards out, to extend the lead to 21–3.
After a turnover on downs gave Truman the ball near midfield in the final minute of the half, the Bulldogs struck quickly. Cook broke loose for 20 yards on the opening play and scored again from three yards out moments later, sending Truman into halftime with a commanding 28–3 lead.
McKendree briefly gained life early in the third quarter after returning a Truman fumble for a touchdown, trimming the margin to 28–10. But the Bulldogs responded with another authoritative march. Hair capped an eight-play, 53-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown run to restore a three-score lead.
Truman's most impressive drive of the day came late in the third quarter, a 13-play, 90-yard march that consumed more than six minutes and ended with a 25-yard field goal by Diego Perez to make it 38–10 entering the fourth.
McKendree added a short field goal to open the final period before the Bulldogs delivered the knockout blow. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Elijah Stevens sped 40 yards down the left side, and two snaps later he sliced in from 24 yards out for the final touchdown of the day. Truman's defense closed things out with its 10th tackle for loss, sealing a 45–13 victory and one of the team's most complete performances of the year.
Key Stats
Team Totals: 435 yards (243 rushing, 192 passing), 25 first downs, 7.0 yards per play, 33:06 time of possession
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QB Dylan Hair: 16-of-24, 192 yards, 2 TD; 9 rushes, 55 yards, 1 TD
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RB Denim Cook: 18 carries, 98 yards, 2 TD
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RB Elijah Stevens: 7 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD
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WR Gerard Grewe: 7 catches, 95 yards, 2 TD
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WR Jackson Overton: 4 catches, 66 yards
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K Diego Perez: 1-for-1 FG, 6-for-6 PAT
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Defense: 10 TFL, 3 sacks; held McKendree to 104 rushing yards on 36 attempts
With the win, Truman State closed the regular season with an 8–2 Division II record and a 7–1 GLVC record, finishing second in the conference and securing top-three marks in nearly every major team category.
Team GLVC Rankings
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2nd in scoring offense: 36.7 points per game
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3rd in scoring defense: 22.5 points allowed
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1st in rushing offense: 2,261 total rushing yards (205 per game)
Individual GLVC Statistical Leaders
Truman State's 8–2 Division II record, 7–1 GLVC finish, and strong regional resume officially punched the program's ticket to the 2025 NCAA Division II Football Playoffs, the Bulldogs' first postseason appearance since 1994, ending a 31-year drought.
Truman will travel to Indianapolis next weekend for a first-round rematch with UIndy, looking to extend one of the program's most successful seasons of the modern era.
NCAA Playoff Bracket
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