INDIANAPOLIS - The Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) kicked off the 2025-26 academic year with two football programs in Walsh and Thomas More competing in Week 0 of the 2025 football season. The Cavaliers secured their first win of the season over Mountain East opponent West Liberty. The Cavaliers won by a score of 38-10, and held the Hilltoppers to just 322 yards of total offense. The Saints traveled to Carbondale, Illinois where they faced No. 20 Southern Illinois.

OVERVIEW:
August 8, 2025- Walsh vs. West Liberty
August 30, 2025- Thomas More at Southern Illinois
 
SCORE:
Walsh 38, West Liberty 10
Southern Illinois 49, Thomas More 3
 
INSIDE THE GAMES:
WALSH VS. WEST LIBERTY

• West Liberty got on the board first with a field goal at the 9:54 minute mark
• Quarterback Hayden Wickard credited with a game-high three touchdowns. Wickard went 15-28 with 223 yards and no interceptions.
• Jake Gill rushed for 96 yards on 10 attempts, finding the back of the end zone twice.
• Dalys Jett and William Butler scored one touchdown apiece
• Michael Williams Howman led the Walsh defense with six tackles, including two solo tackles
• JaJuan Jackson and Jerijah Moore each had one interception on the day
• Walsh defense forced three turnovers and gave up just one touchdown

 
THOMAS MORE VS. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

• RS Sophomore Griffin Scalf completed 16 of 23 passes for 98 yards
• RS Sophomore Elijah Manning registered 10 tackles, including six solo tackles
• Luke Iden connected on a 29-yard field goal for the Saints’ only points of the contest.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS:

• Passing: Hayden Wickard, WU (223 yards)
• Rushing: Jake Gill, WU (96 yards)
• Receiving: Vinson Davis III , TMU (97 yards)
• Tackles: Elijah Manning, TMU (11 tackles)
• Scoring: Hayden Wickard, WU (27 Points)
• Kicking: Jarrad Kerekes, WU (34-yard field goal)
• Punting: Morgan Williamson, TMU (125 yards)
• Returns: Josh Kennebrew, TMU (86-yard kickoff return)

UP NEXT:
Week 1 Matchups
Thursday, September 4
Tiffin at Wayne State, 6 P.M. ET
Ashland at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), 7 P.M. ET
 
Saturday, September 6
Findlay vs. Indianapolis, Noon ET
Northwood at Northern Michigan, Noon ET
Thomas More at Dayton, Noon ET
Hillsdale at McKendree, 1 P.M. ET
Kentucky Wesleyan vs. West Florida, 1 P.M. ET
Lake Erie vs. Ferris State, 2 P.M. ET
Walsh at Wheeling, 6 P.M. ET