GAME 4
vs. University of Indianapolis (1-4, 0-2 GLVC)
Saturday, October 3
1 p.m. • Greene Stadium (Liberty, Mo.) 

The William Jewell football team remains at home this weekend to face off with perhaps their toughest test thus far in 2026, the UIndy Greyhounds. Despite a 1-4 start to the season, UIndy is one of the most historically dominant programs in Division II and cannot be overlooked, coming in as the four-time defending GLVC Champions.  

While Jewell enters as the top-rated defense in the league, the Greyhounds are second, allowing just 24 points per game. TJ Cothron leads with 41 tackles through five games while Alvin Contreras has 40. Offensively, quarterback Nick Patterson leads the league with a completion percentage of 61.43% and has thrown just one interception. Garrett Sherrell and Juseters Faktaki are a lethal pair of backs that combine more than 105 yards per game. 

CARDINALS vs. GREYHOUNDS
The Cardinals are just 1-12 all-time versus UIndy with the closet match up coming in 2024, the last time the Greyhounds visited Liberty, as they escaped with a 27-24 overtime victory. 

A RETURN TO THE RADAR
For the first time since 2006, the Jewell football team has received recognition in the AFCA National Poll. The Cardinals received a single vote this week but for a program who just four years ago held the NCAA's longest losing streak that vote marks a significant milestone in their resurgence effort. After a streak of 32 straight appearances in the top-25 between 1979-1983, Jewell has been ranked just three times since then.  

DEFENSE SETS THE TONE
The Cardinal defense has faced a better opponent each passing week and continues rise to the occasion. Jewell enters the weekend ranked second in Division II in first down defense, allowing just 48 through three games. Additionally, they lead the league in third down conversion defense, red zone defense, rushing defense, scoring defense, passing efficiency defense, tackles for loss, and total defense. It is defense by committee as Jewell has eight different players with at least 10 tackles, while six have a sack, six own an interception, and three have forced a fumble. 

NEXT MAN UP
Jewell has been hit hard in some areas by injuries and other losses, particularly on the offensive side, but have found a way to be productive, thanks in large part to youngsters who have stepped into perhaps unexpected spots. In last weekend's win over McKendree, rookies Michael Clark and Kavious Record played key roles, alongside quarterback Charlie Loose who started his first career game at home. In the victory, Clark had a big 35-yard reception in the second half and leads the GLVC with more than 23 yards per reception. Meanwhile, Record ran for 53 yards including his first career touchdown, while catching two passes for 21 yards. Loose continues to a be a strong presence under center, leading the conference in passing efficiency and is second in yards per completion. 

THE FINAL CHAPTER
On June 24 the University of Indianapolis announced their intention to make the move to the Great Midwest Athletic Conference beginning in July 2027. Saturday's match up will mark the final meeting as league opponents between these two programs. The GMAC is a member of Super Region 3 alongside the GLVC, Great Lakes Intercollegiate (GLIAC), and Northern Sun (NSIC) conferences.