GAME 7: SBU BEARCATS (2-4) vs SOUTHERN NAZARENE CRIMSON STORM (3-2)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10 • 2:00 PM
PLASTER STADIUM • BOLIVAR, MO
RADIO: KBFL 99.9 FM (Josh Thompson, play-by-play)
INTERNET AUDIO: www.radiospringfield.com
LIVE STATS: via Sidearm stats

SBU NOTES
    
BOLIVAR, Mo. -- After winning their last two games, the SBU Bearcats will celebrate Homecoming this weekend when they host the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm. The Bearcats are coming off a huge 31-23 win at Central Oklahoma. The Crimson Storm have rotated wins and losses this season, winning last Saturday over Bacone 50-29. It should be an entertaining game on Saturday, as both teams employ a spread no-huddle attack.
    
Junior SBU quarterback Steve Gachette continues his record-setting career for the Bearcats. He ranks second in the nation in Division II in total offense (364 yds/game) and seventh in the nation in passing yards (1809). Already this season, he's set single game school records for total offense (573 yards) and passing yards (459) as well as career marks for passing attempts (1198) and total offense (8672) which added to the ten individual marks he held coming into the year.  
    
WR Johnnie King, who led the nation in receptions per game (89 grabs in 10 games) in 2008, is tied for 33rd nationally in receiving yards per game (84). SBU ranks sixth nationally in Division II in total offense (470 ypg) and 11th in passing offense (303.7 ypg). King and teammates John Austin and Charles Johnson are close in receptions per game with Austin at 5.5, King at 5.33 and Johnson at 5.17.
    
LB Jarred Schumpert is tied for sixth nationally in tackles per game at 11.8. Schumpert has led or tied for the team lead in tackles in his three previous seasons with SBU. He is also tied for 11th with 2.0 tackles for loss/game. As a team, the Bearcats are 13th in net punting at 35.94 yds/punt.

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. Mike Cochran is in his fourth season with the Crimson Storm and is 19-17. He's in his ninth season overall at 65-29. This is the first meeting between the two squads.

SCOUTING THE CRIMSON STORM
Southern Nazarene is an NAIA school from Bethany, Okla., and competes in the Central States Football League. Brady Wardlaw has thrown for 1415 yards and 13 touchdowns on 117 of 198 attempts. Kevin Brooks is his top receiver with 38 catches for 535 yards and five touchdowns. Derick Perkins has 113 yards rushing on 34 carries. While SNU's offense averages 376 yards per game, their defense is allowing 420 yards per game.