GAME 9: SBU BEARCATS (6-2)
vs ST. JOSEPH'S PUMAS (5-3)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30 • 1:30 PM
PLASTER STADIUM • BOLIVAR, MO • SENIOR DAY
RADIO: KBFL 99.1 FM (Josh Thompson, play-by-play)

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BOLIVAR, Mo. -- With a homecoming win and the first shutout in nine years behind them, the SBU Bearcats look to extend their record six-game winning streak against the St. Joseph's Pumas, who have won five straight themselves.

The Bearcats continue to be one of the highest-powered offenses in the nation, posting an average of 552 yards of total offense per game, the second-highest average in all divisions of the NCAA; the Bearcats trail only D-1 Oregon in total offensive output.

For all the records that senior quarterback Steven Gachette has set at SBU, he did something no Bearcat had previously done last week. The All-American candidate passed for 267 yards against Central State, while gaining 200 yards on the ground. Gachette became the first and only SBU quarterback to rush for 200 yards while passing for 200 yards. Gachette currently ranks ninth in the country with 317.4 passing yards per game, and ninth nationally with an average of 25.9 completions each week.

Junior wideout Charles Johnson saw his streak of seven straight games with a touchdown catch end last week against Central State. Johnson currently ranks 21st in the nation with 103 receiving yards per game. D.A. Allen isn't far behind; the senior ranks 33rd nationally with 92.6 yards per game.

The SBU defense continues to get to the opposing quarterback, as the 'Cats racked up five sacks against the Marauders last week. Defensive ends Casey Smith and Will Ramirez, Jr. both are among the top 30 nationally, with 6.5 and 6 sacks, respectively. Ramirez extended his streak of at least one sack in the last five games. Linebacker Shaquille Shedd's 9.9 tackles per game is 18th-best in the country.

One big way the offense has been supported this season is through the Bearcats' special teams play. Punt returner Chris Muhammad is averaging 20.4 yards per return, the fourth-best average in the nation, and tops among independant schools. Muhammad had his second punt returned for a touchdown last week against the Marauders, while racking up 100 return yards on the day.

THE COACHES AND THE ALL-TIME SERIES
Keith Allen has already engineered a significant turnaround at SBU, moving the 'Cats from 0-11 his first year as interim coach, to 5-6 in 2008, to the winning record of 6-5 in 2009. Allen served as defensive and recruiting coordinator before being named SBU head coach in 2007. His past coaching experience has included stops at San Jose State, Quincy, TCU and Oklahoma. With a win over the Pumas, Allen will move into second place on SBU's all-time wins list, and currently holds the best winning percentage in program history.

A.J. Ricker was hired as the St. Joseph's offensive line coach in January of 2009. The next year, Ricker was promoted to head coach. Before working with the Pumas, Ricker spent three seasons with Western Michigan as an offensive assistant.

This will be the third meeting between the Bearcats and the Pumas. SBU has won the previous two matchups in this young series, in 2008 and 2009.

SCOUTING THE PUMAS
After dropping the first three games of the season, the Pumas have been on a run of five straight wins, including victories over a pair of teams SBU has faced earlier this year (Lincoln & Urbana), and a Division I-FCS team (Valparaiso).

St. Joseph's has one of the stronger defensive units in the country, averaging three sacks a game (16th in NCAA), and eight tackles for loss (T-20th in NCAA). Defensive lineman Andre Adamiec leads the team with .93 sacks per game.

Offensively, after starting quarterback Mike Hladik went out with an injury in the third game of the year, Billy VandeMerkt has taken over and led the Pumas to five straight wins. Leading rusher Garrick Hall is averaging 78 yards per game, while Jashon Banks has a team-high 9 touchdowns.