SBU BEARCATS (0-2) at HARDING BISONS (1-1)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 • 6:00 PM
FIRST SECURITY STADIUM • SEARCY, AR
RADIO: KBFL 99.9 FM (Josh Thompson, play-by-play)
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SEARCY, Ark. -- The SBU Bearcats head back on the road, this Saturday night when they travel to Searcy, Arkansas, to battle the Harding Bisons. Last year in Bolivar, SBU snapped an 18-game overall losing streak with a 43-31 victory. SBU is coming off tough early season battles with nationally-ranked teams in Northwest Missouri and Central Missouri.

Last season's Independents Collegiate Athletic Association (ICAA) Offensive Player of the Year Steve Gachette led SBU with 267 yards passing and 40 net yards on the ground against Northwest Missouri. Gachette ranks 8th nationally in total offense (333.5 yards/game). In 2008, Gachette became 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. WR Johnnie King, who led the nation in receptions per game (89 grabs in 10 games) in 2008, had nine catches for 116 yards against NWMSU. SBU ranks 34th nationally in total offense (408 yards/game) and 18th in passing offense (303 yds/game).

The Bearcats' 2008 co-leaders in tackles, LB Jarred Schumpert and DB Tyrin Holt, had strong efforts against the green Bearcats. Schumpert recorded 17 total tackles (11 solo) while Anthony Wiggins (9 solo) and Shawn Kilduff had 11 total stops each. Holt had seven total tackles and returned an interception 63 yards, setting up a tying SBU score. Schumpert is tied for fourth nationally in tackles per game with a 13.5 average.

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, when SBU was three plays away from a potential 8-3 mark.

Harding is coached by Ronnie Huckeba, who's in his third year as head coach after 21 seasons as an assistant. The schools have met five times with the Bisons winning the first four contests before last year's SBU victory.

SCOUTING THE HARDING BISONS
Harding returns 12 starters from last year's team including All-Region wide receiver Kurt Adams, who set a Harding record with 1122 receiving yards. Also back for HU are WR/KR Zac Ross, LB Jason Thomasson and DB Darren Newson. Harding opened their 2009 season in thrilling fashion, with 17-15 win at home against Missouri Southern. The Bisons scored with 18 seconds left to win the game. Last week Harding fell 33-19 at West Alabama.