WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats open up the 2009 season on the road when they visit the #25 Central Missouri Mules. SBU was 5-6 a year ago, in their first season as an independent. The Bearcats return several key parts, including QB Steve Gachette. Gachette was named as the 2008 Independents Collegiate Athletic Association (ICAA) Offensive Player of the Year after becoming the only player in SBU history to throw for more than 3000 yards. He completed 59.8% of his passes for 3371 yards (306.45 per game) and 27 touchdown passes. He also rushed for 658 yards (59.82 pg) and six touchdowns and led the ICAA in total offense with 4029 yards (366.27 pg).

Johnnie King

WR Johnnie King led the nation in receptions per game (89 grabs in 10 games). King caught nine touchdown passes and had 1120 yards receiving. With Gachette and King leading the way, the SBU offense ranked fourth nationally in total offense yards per game. The Bearcats also return their 2008 co-leaders in tackles with 101 each, LB Jarred Schumpert and DB Tyrin Holt. Holt, King and Gachette were all recognized by Consensus Draft Services as preseason All-Americans.

THE COACHES AND THE ALL-TIME SERIES
Bearcat head coach Keith Allen enters 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, when SBU was three plays away from a potential 8-3 mark.

Central Missouri is coached by Willie Fritz, who is in his 13th year with the Mules. He is 89-44 overall and holds the fourth best winning percentage (.669) in UCM history, and has the most career wins in their history.

UCM leads the all-time series 19-2 and has won the last 17 contests. SBU's wins came in 1989 (51-21) and 1990 (21-18). The last meeting came in 2007 when SBU was still an MIAA member, with the Mules winning 56-14.

SCOUTING THE MULES
Three All-American candidates lead the way for the Mules, who were 7-4 a year ago and picked for third this year in the MIAA. Junior TE DeMarco Cosby broke the school record for receiving yards by a tight end with 623, caught five TDs and 29 receptions. Junior QB Eric Czerniewski broke school season records for passing yards (2938) and total offense (3010). WR/KR Bobby Guillory was named second team All-MIAA in 2008. Look for a new look on defense for UCM, after they ranked last in the MIAA in passing and total offense. UCM lost 16 players that started games so many new faces fill the roster. In fact, the Mules' depth chart features 14 transfers and one true freshman, along with 11 players in from a redshirt year.