LIBERTY, Mo. - The William Jewell football team (3-0) returns to Greene Stadium this weekend for the first time since November 2022 to host Davenport University (2-1), who is receiving votes in the national polls. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. 

TAILGATING

• Tailgating lots open three hours prior to kickoff with Jewell tailgating taking place in the commuter lot to the south of the stadium while the visitors tailgating area is in the Mabee Center parking lot to the north of Greene Stadium. 

TICKETS

• General admission is $8 with reserved chair back seating available for $10. Tickets may be purchased at jewellcardinals.com/tickets or may be purchased with card or cash at the gate. 
• Football student-athlete complimentary tickets should be requested online and downloaded prior to arrival as promo codes may not be used at the ticket gate. 

CARDINAL NOTES

• With the win over Lincoln University of Missouri last weekend, William Jewell has started the season 3-0 for the first time since 1983, when the Cardinals opened with a five game win streak before a 14-14 tie with Missouri Valley on October 15. Perhaps most impressive, is that all three wins this season have come on the road. Jewell did not win a road game last year and last time the Cardinals won three road contests in a single season was 2015.
• Jewell returns to The Hill for not only the first time this season but since November 5, 2022. The Cardinals will open a new version of Greene Stadium on Saturday after playing the entire 2023 season off campus at Liberty North High School.  
• Saturday's match up will be a rematch with non-conference opponent Davenport University who is receiving votes in the national poll after a resurgence in recent years. After going 15-28 in through head coach Sparky McEwen's first four seasons, the Panthers have gone 18-5 over the last two and are currently 2-1 in 2024. Last season, Davenport opened up an early 28-7 lead in the first half before the Cardinals rallied off 20 straight points to pull within one. The then-No. 21 ranked Panthers finished the game with 27 fourth quarter points to win 55-27.    
• The Cardinals have boasted one of the best defense lines through the first three games as they enter the week ranked fifth in Division II and tops in the GLVC with 10 tackles for loss and 3.67 sacks per game. Javion Macias and Justin Endicott lead the line with 1.50 and 0.83 sacks per game, respectively. Macias is currently tops in the league with 2.2 tackles for loss per contest while Endicott and Adam Callahan are tied for eighth.  
• In his first career start, Tucker Griffin was 15-of-21 through the air for 239 yards and three touchdowns. In 1.5 games, the redshirt freshman is fourth in the GLVC in passing touchdowns with four. 
• After Keaundre McCullough had scored seven of the team's eight touchdowns through the first two games, Jewell was able to show they are more than a one-dimensional team last weekend. In the win over Lincoln, McCullough scored two more rushing touchdowns, to bring his season total to nine, while Griffin had three passing scores, one each to AJ Austene, Jalen Bethany, and Layne Cavanah.  
• In addition to to the offense, the Cardinal defense led directly to points last week. Terran Mitchell blocked a punt in the second half that Sean Mitchell recovered and ran 17 yards for his first career score. Additionally, Keagan Hart's strip sack and 20-yard return led to McCullough's second touchdown of the day one play later.   
• One area head coach Jason Ambroson identified as an improvement area is the kicking game. Josh Click connected on two field goals at Lincoln, from 19 and 41-yards, respectively. The senior missed from 46 yards, which would have been just two yards shy of his career high, while the Blue Tigers were able to break through the line and block two other attempts. Upcoming opponents will challenge the squad in all facets of the game and the Cardinals will need to convert points when the opportunity arises.  
• Despite committing a season high six penalties last Saturday, Jewell continues to be one of the most disciplined teams in Division II. The Cardinals come into week four ranked third nationally in fewest penalties, averaging just 3.33 per game for 37 yards.