Box Score | Season Stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. --- A packed homecoming crowd overcame the light rain that came and went throughout the day, and were rewarded with a 52-0 shutout by the SBU Bearcats, over the Central State (Ohio) Marauders. The Bearcats played possibly their most complete game all season, holding Central State to just 180 yards of total offense. Senior quarterback Steven Gachette rushed for 200 yards and four touchdowns en route to SBU's sixth straight victory, a school record.

As many accomplishments as the All-American quarterback has had leading the Bearcat offense, Gachette had one of his best performances in an SBU jersey. With 267 yards through the air, and 200 on the ground, Gachette became the first Bearcat in history to rush for at least 200 yards while collecting at least 200 through the air.

The Bearcats got on the board early and often against the Marauders, scoring twice in each quarter. Gachette started off with a pair of rushing touchdowns in the first quarter, the second of which was a 74 yard scramble in which the senior signal-caller escaped the grasp of about four or five defenders before getting some open space and sprinting along the sideline for the score.

After trading punts throughout the early portions of the second quarter, freshman punt returner Chris Muhammad challenged Gachette for the play of the game. After fielding a punt on his own ten yard line, Muhammad side-stepped a few defenders before turning on the jets and outrunning the Marauder coverage team for a 90 yard touchdown return. The return ties the SBU record for longest punt return, originally set by Derek Duevall against Wasbhurn in 1997.

SBU punched in their fourth score of the day on the following drive, when junior receiver Chuck Mason caught his only pass of the day, a ten yard touchdown catch that capped off a six play, 59 yard drive. Bearcat kicker Andrew Kocurek split the uprights on the extra point to give SBU a 28-0 halftime lead.

The Bearcats took advantage of a shanked punt on their opening drive of the second half, taking over on the Central State 26-yardline. Gachette ran in his third rushing touchdown from 20 yards out, putting the 'Cats up 35-0.

Central State had their best chance to score in the third quarter, driving to the SBU 21-yardline, their deepest position of the day. Kicking into the wind, the line drive shot was mis-hit and blocked by the Bearcat rush. Five plays later, Chris Culbreth scored his second touchdown of the year from two yards out, after wideout Derrick Foster took a screen pass 65 yards into the Central State red zone.

With seven minutes remaining, Gachette capped an 85 yard drive with a touchdown run that put the 'Cats up 52-0.

Central State running back Josh Anderson, the Marauder's leading rusher, was held to just 15 yards during the game, as the Marauders managed just 180 yards of total offense. SBU linebacker Shaquille Shedd led the defense with 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack. The 'Cats were able to get to the quarterback often, as five different Bearcats picked up a sack on the day.

Wideout Charles Johnson led the receiving corps with 72 yards on six catches, but is still searching for what will be his record-breaking tenth touchdown pass of the year.

With the win, SBU moves to 6-2 on the year, and keeps their record-setting winning streak intact. Head coach Keith Allen moves into a tie with former SBU coach Gerry Brandt for second all-time on the Bearcat win list. Allen also becomes SBU's winningest all-time coach by win percentage, with a career record of 17-24 (.415).

SBU is home next Saturday, October 30, as they host St. Joseph's (Ind.) for senior day. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.