ABOUT TRUMAN 
The Cardinals host perhaps their biggest game in more than three decades on Saturday as they take on Truman State, with whom they currently share the GLVC lead. The Bulldogs bring with them to Liberty a 5-4 overall record but have faced one of the toughest schedules in the GLVC, with three of their four losses coming to (RV) Washburn, No. 12 Davenport, and (RV) Northeastern State. TSU is led by third year head man, and reigning GLVC Coach of the Year, Kellen Nesbitt, who took over following his father's (Gregg Nesbitt) retirement.

Running back Madden Irving has burst upon the scene this season, leading the GLVC in rushing yards (1,017), rushing yards per game (113), and rushing touchdowns (12) and is third in yards per carry (6.74). Quarterback Dylan Hair earned All-GLVC honors last season and is currently fifth with nearly 185 passing yards per game with Jackson Overton being the top target with 28 catches for 329 yards. Defensively, Alex Medina is tops in the league with 1.22 tackles for loss per game as the Bulldogs lead the conference in total defense (309), sacks (2.56), tackles for loss (8.1), rushing defense (92), scoring defense (20.2), and fewest penalties per game (5.11). 

CARDINALS vs. BULLDOGS
Truman leads the all-time series 18-8-2 including having won the last 11. The last Jewell win came in 2014 with a 21-17 victory while Truman has twice shutout the Cardinals in the last five meetings.   

A RETURN TO FORM 
After back-to-back sub-par outings, the offense found their footing last weekend, putting up a season high 463 yards of total offense. Charlie Loose threw for a career best 260 yards, going 16-for-29 (55.2%) while rookie Michael Clark was a top target, going for 114 yards on four catches, including the score. The running game continued to be productive, going for 203 yards, led by Hunter Bailey's 151. The junior is fourth in the league with 82.3 yards per game while Ronnie Thomas, Jr. is close behind at 70.7 (9th). Facing the GLVC's toughest defense this weekend, the Cardinals will need to move the ball with consistency to keep pace with the Bulldogs who average nearly 31 points per game. 

RENFROW ON TARGET
Bleu Renfrow moved up to 10th in NCAA-II this week after improving his field goal percentage to better than 83%. hitting two in the win over Missouri S&T. After two rare consecutive misses at Southwest Baptist, the sophomore has been perfect over the last six weeks, hitting all seven attempts with a long of 49. Meanwhile, he continues to be reliable in the PAT, going 17-for-17 this season and has nailed his last 30 attempts, dating back to September 2025.  

TURNER TURNS IT UP
After missing the Cardinals match up with Quincy, Jett Turner has returned with a vengeance, posting back-to-back games with double digit tackles in wins over Upper Iowa and Missouri S&T, to go with a forced fumble at Northeastern State. The junior has moved up to 19th in the GLVC with 6.4 tackles per game.

A CLASS OF THEIR OWN
Prior to kick off on Saturday, Jewell will recognize 17 seniors for their contributions to the program. The senior class accounts for 125 combined starts and 16 wins over the last four years. 2025 All-GLVC defensive lineman Derrick Von Hubbard leads with 27 starts while Keagan Hart (25), Rontrel Gates (21), Zach Barnhouse (12), and Parker Cummins (10) are also in double digits. Others who will be recognized are Du'Vaughn Williams, Jhalen Turner, Matthew Thompson, Ronnie Thomas, Jr., Trey Stone, Nathan Mense, Joe Marshall, Cameron Lawson, Carson Forrest, Krishawn Butler, Jack Trotter, and Justin Osburn.

AMBROSON SETTING THE COURSE
Jason Ambroson and staff have done something in the last three years that few others have been able to accomplish in the last 35-plus, put together a winning season. Ambroson, who is one of the front runners for GLVC Coach of the Year honors, has prioritized local talent and leads a roster of more than 60% local players. Since 1993, only two other head coaches, Jeff Floyd and Fran Schwenk, have had at least five wins in two of their first three seasons.   

POSTSEASON ON THE LINE
With their victory last week, Jewell secured a winning season for the first time since 2007 (6-4) and will look for their first season with at least seven wins since they had eight in 1990, which was also the last postseason appearance for the program. While this weekend is not a true GLVC Championship game, Truman is recognized as the largest remaining hurdle for Jewell in their pursuit of their first conference title since 1991 and what would be their first as a member of the GLVC. Wins this weekend over Truman and next week at Lincoln, would give Cardinals a lock of the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Playoff. Meanwhile, a loss to either opponent would bring tie-breakers into play between Jewell, Truman, UIndy, and Upper Iowa. 

ON THE CUSP OF HISTORY
The William Jewell football program currently sits at 598 wins all-time, with the first team fielded in 1888. With three more wins, the Cardinals will become the tenth Division II program to reach the 600-win mark. Among the other nine are Pittsburg State, Tuskegee, Hillsdale, Carson-Newman, Central Oklahoma, West Chester, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Northwest Missouri State, and GLVC member, Truman State.