GAME 11: SBU BEARCATS (5-5) vs MISSOURI S&T MINERS (3-6)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 • 1:00 PM
PLASTER STADIUM • BOLIVAR, MO
RADIO: KBFL 1060 AM (Rob Evans, play-by-play)
LIVE STATS: www.sidearmstats.com/sbuniv/football

SBU NOTES

BOLIVAR, MO - The SBU Bearcats have a chance to send their seniors off with the first winning season since 2001 with a victory over the Missouri S&T Miners. The 5-5 'Cats have already shown significant improvement, winning more games over the last two seasons than the program won over the previous five seasons combined. SBU is also looking for a little revenge from 2008, when the Miners denied the Bearcats a winning season by defeating SBU, 63-23.
   
The senior-heavy SBU defense (led by DE Kyle Swallows, LBs Shawn Kilduff, Jarred Schumpert and Henry Ogunjimi, and DBs Lavarus Rue, Tyrin Holt, and Willie Johnson) has held opponents to 31.3 points per game so far this season. If that average holds up after the game against Missouri S&T, it will be the fewest points allowed by a Bearcat team since 2003.
   
The offensive side of the ball will see seniors making key players as well; Scott Crain and Andrew Lindeman have led the offensive line, which has been a key component to an offense that produces 460 yards of total offense per game, the second-most production by any SBU squad in program history. Senior wideout Johnnie King has an opportunity to set a few records in his final game; with two touchdown catches, King will tie the record for most receiving touchdowns in a season (9), a record he already owns. He'll have some competition from teammate Charles Johnson, who has eight touchdowns.

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 will have a chance to improve again this year. Kirby Cannon is putting the finishing touches on his 11th season at the helm of the Miners football program. Cannon's squad had fallen off slightly from last season, when he led S&T to a 7-4 record and a top ranked offense. Missouri S&T won the last matchup in 2008, but the Bearcats had won eight straight before that matchup, and SBU leads the all-time series 15-6-1.

SCOUTING THE MINERS
The Miners started off losing their first six games, but have recently come back, winning their last three. Missouri S&T is led by senior quarterback Jason Schlueter. Schlueter has passed for 2,217 yards, with 13 touchdowns and 6 interceptions so far this season. A trio of receivers, are big targets, including tight end Bryan Crider (71.3.7 ypg), receiver Marterricus Thomas (54.9), and freshman wideout Kevin Dillion. Dillion leads Missouri S&T with 6 TD catches.