KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - The Truman State football team captured the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship Saturday with a 35-21 Senior Day victory over McKendree at Stokes Stadium.
The victory gave Truman its first GLVC championship since sharing the title in 2016 and its first outright conference championship as a member of the league. The Bulldogs finished the regular season 7-4 overall and 7-1 in conference play.
Truman also secured the GLVC's automatic berth in the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs. The Bulldogs will make their second consecutive postseason appearance after ending a drought that dated to 1994 last season.
Before kickoff, Truman honored seniors Elijah Fry, Mason Gessert, Nathan Ryan, Harrison Fowler, Alex Medina and Jack Weltha.
Bulldogs Answer Quickly in Opening Quarter
Truman drove 80 yards on its opening possession, with Madden Irving finishing the eight-play series on a one-yard touchdown run. Diego Perez converted the extra point to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 7:31 remaining in the first quarter.
McKendree answered with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Kendrick Lyons to Kamren Schumacher, tying the game with 4:40 left in the period.
The tie lasted only 14 seconds.
On Truman's next offensive play, Dylan Hair connected with Cori Robertson for a 71-yard touchdown. The scoring strike put the Bulldogs back in front 14-7 and moved Hair within one touchdown pass of Truman's career record.
Hair added to the lead with his legs early in the second quarter. The quarterback completed an 11-play, 68-yard drive with a 22-yard touchdown run, extending Truman's advantage to 21-7.
McKendree responded with a 15-play drive that consumed more than nine minutes. Lyons scored on a one-yard run to cut the Truman lead to 21-14 with 3:23 remaining before halftime.
Hair Breaks Career Touchdown Record
The Bulldogs needed less than two minutes to regain a two-score advantage after receiving the second-half kickoff.
Hair found Robertson for a 42-yard touchdown with 13:08 remaining in the third quarter. The pass was Hair's 71st career touchdown and moved him into sole possession of Truman's career passing touchdowns record.
Hair then completed an eight-play, 65-yard drive with a 24-yard touchdown run. His second rushing score of the afternoon gave Truman a 35-14 lead midway through the third quarter.
McKendree produced the only points of the fourth quarter on a four-yard touchdown pass from Lyons to Ian Lichtenberger with 4:06 remaining. Truman recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the remaining time to secure the conference championship.
Hair completed 11 of 14 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also rushed eight times for 78 yards and two scores, finishing with 309 yards of total offense and accounting for four touchdowns.
Robertson caught three passes for a game-high 117 yards and both of Hair's touchdown passes. Irving led Truman's rushing attack with 94 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Duan McRoberts added 42 rushing yards and a 33-yard reception. Truman finished with 243 rushing yards and 231 passing yards for 474 yards of total offense.
The Bulldogs averaged 8.3 yards per play, converted six of their eight third-down opportunities and did not punt during the game.
Defense Limits McKendree Ground Game
Truman's defense held McKendree to 284 total yards, including only 75 yards on 28 rushing attempts.
Logan Montoya and Bryant Pool led the Bulldogs with eight tackles apiece. Montoya recorded 2.5 tackles for loss and a 13-yard sack, while Pool added 1.5 tackles for loss.
James Franklin III finished with seven tackles and one pass breakup. Connor Beerman recorded Truman's other sack as the Bulldogs totaled nine tackles for loss.
The Truman seniors also contributed to the championship-clinching defensive performance. Medina recorded four tackles and one tackle for loss, Weltha finished with four tackles and a pass breakup, and Fry added three solo stops.
Bulldogs Return to NCAA Playoffs
Truman will learn its playoff seed and first-round opponent during the NCAA Division II Football Selection Show at 5 p.m. Sunday on NCAA.com.
The NCAA Division II Football Playoffs begin Saturday, Nov. 21. Truman's selection marks the program's second consecutive NCAA postseason appearance following its return to the playoff field in 2025.
#BulldogNation
