BOLIVAR, Mo. – The Southwest Baptist University football team returns to Plaster Stadium this Saturday, October 17, looking to extend its three-game winning streak as the Bearcats host the Upper Iowa University Peacocks. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

The Bearcats enter the matchup with a 4-3 overall record and a 3-1 mark in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play. SBU is coming off a thrilling 55-45 road victory over McKendree University, marking its third consecutive conference win. Upper Iowa enters Saturday's contest at 3-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play after defeating Truman State 21-19 last weekend.

SBU's offense continues to lead the GLVC in several statistical categories, including scoring offense (41.6 points per game), total offense (466 yards per game), and rushing offense (193.4 yards per game). The Bearcats also rank second in passing offense, averaging 272.6 yards per contest.

Quarterback Cooper Owens has emerged as one of the conference's top passers, completing 73.3% of his passes for 1,151 yards and 12 touchdowns. Owens leads the GLVC in completion percentage and passing efficiency, posting a 202.3 passer rating. Running back Jobe Smith ranks second in the conference with 97.4 rushing yards per game, totaling 682 yards on 119 carries this season.

The Bearcats have also found success through their receiving corps. Keivon Flint leads SBU with 427 receiving yards, while Jaden Mays has added 419 yards and six touchdowns. Mays and fellow receiver Marcus Rhoden are tied for the GLVC lead in receiving touchdowns with six apiece.

Defensively, SBU has continued to make an impact through turnovers. The Bearcats lead the GLVC with 11 interceptions, including three apiece from Joel Beshore and Maxwell Kates, who are tied for the conference lead in total interceptions. Linebacker Ricky Woodhouse leads the conference with 80 total tackles, averaging 11.4 per game. Cirron Harrison has also been a force for the Bearcats, recording nine tackles for loss and four sacks.

Upper Iowa enters the matchup riding a two-game winning streak, having defeated Missouri S&T and Truman State in consecutive weeks. The Peacocks average 28.8 points and 325 yards of total offense per game. Quarterback Zamar Wise leads the offense with 1,030 passing yards and five touchdowns while adding a team-high 473 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

Saturday's matchup presents an opportunity for the Bearcats to make program history. Upper Iowa holds a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series, winning the previous meetings in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The Peacocks claimed last season's meeting 39-2, but SBU will look to turn the tables behind its conference-leading offense.

With both teams entering on winning streaks, Saturday's contest will be an important matchup in the GLVC standings. The Bearcats will look to earn their first-ever victory against Upper Iowa, extend their winning streak to four games, and continue building momentum in conference play.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Plaster Stadium in Bolivar, Missouri. Fans unable to attend can watch the game live on the GLVC Sports Network.