GAME 9: SBU BEARCATS (4-4) at OUACHITA BAPTIST TIGERS (4-3)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 • 1:30 PM
A.U. WILLIAMS FIELD • ARKADELPHIA, AR
RADIO: KBFL 99.9 FM (Josh Thompson, play-by-play)
INTERNET AUDIO: www.radiospringfield.com
SBU NOTES
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. -- The SBU Bearcats will go for the school's first five-game winning streak in history on Saturday afternoon when they visit the Ouachita Baptist Tigers. On two previous occasions in SBU history (1987 and 1986) did football have a four-game winning streak. After a rugged opening four games that included three ranked opponents and a triple-overtime loss, the Bearcats have responded by winning their last four games by a combined 191-87 score. Like many teams across the country, the Bearcats have battled illness this week as they prepared for the Tigers.
Last week was another stellar showing for SBU's junior quarterback Steve Gachette, who continues his record-setting career for the Bearcats. Gachette accumulated nearly 500 yards of total offense in the win over Northeastern State. He ranks second in the nation in Division II in total offense (386 ypg) and fifth in the nation in passing yards (2,344). Already this season, he's set single game school records for total offense and passing yards as well as career marks for passing attempts and total offense which added to the ten individual marks he held coming into the year.
SBU ranks third nationally in Division II in total offense (504 ypg) and 10th in passing offense (299 ypg). If the Bearcats can maintain their total yardage average, it would be the most in school history. WR Johnnie King is 49th nationally in receiving yards per game (77.25). King and teammates Charles Johnson and John Austin are close in receptions per game with Johnson at 5.25 per game, King at 5.12 and Austin at 5.0 per game.
LB Jarred Schumpert is tied for tenth nationally in tackles per game at 11.0. Schumpert has led or tied for the team lead in tackles in his three previous seasons. He is also tied for 25th with 1.56 tackles for loss per game.
THE COACHES AND THE ALL-TIME SERIES
Bearcat head coach Keith Allen is in his third season at the helm of the Bearcats. He's already engineered a significant turnaround, moving the 'Cats from 0-11 his first year as interim coach, to 5-6 in 2008, and looking for more this year. Todd Knight is 39-67 in eleven seasons at OBU and 67-99 overall in 17 seasons. The Tigers lead the all-time series 7-3 after winning 47-45 in Bolivar. OBU has won seven of the last eight meetings versus SBU.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Ouachita has struggled recently after a strong 4-0 start that saw them upset two ranked teams and move into the top 25 poll. OBU has lost their last three games, and fell last Saturday at Southern Arkansas 15-7. KJ Johnson is the Tigers' leading rusher with 788 yards on 166 carries. Jeremy Young is their top receiver, with 52 catches for 702 yards and 4 touchdowns.
