GAME 7: SBU BEARCATS (4-2)
at LINCOLN BLUE TIGERS (1-4)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9 • 2:00 PM
DWIGHT T. REED STADIUM • JEFFERSON CITY, MO
RADIO: KBFL 99.1 FM (Josh Thompson, play-by-play)
INTERNET AUDIO: www.radiospringfield.com/kbfl.aspx

GAME NOTES | INTERNET AUDIO

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- After earning a victory in their first ever game in Ohio, the SBU Bearcats have a chance to make more history. The 'Cats are currently riding a four-game winning streak, tying the school record for most consecutive wins.

The Bearcats continue to be one of the highest-powered offenses in the nation, posting an average of 545 yards of total offense per game, the second-highest average in Division II, and sixth-highest across all divisions. SBU has ran 492 offensive plays from srimmage to date, the most by any team in the NCAA.

Senior quarterback Steven Gachette recorded just his fourth career 400-yard passing game against Urbana last week. The Lehigh Acres, Fla. native went 25-for-39 while throwing for 408 yards passing and four touchdowns. Gachette has thrown for a combined 832 yards over the last two weeks, his highest ever two-week total. Gachette's 392 yards of total offense per game ranks second in Division II.

Gachette currently ranks ninth in the country with 330.83 passing yards per game, and eighth nationally with an average of 26.67 completions each week. Sophomore Justin Duhaney's 9 points per game ranks him 25th on the D-II scoring list. Duhaney has racked up nine touchdowns this year, including a pair of scores against both Southern Nazarene and Urbana over the past two weeks. Fellow halfback Thad Everson recorded his first 100-yard rushing game of the season last week, taking 25 carries for 118 yards and a touchdown.

One big way the offense has been supported this season is through the Bearcats' special teams play. Punt returner Chris Muhammad is averaging 16.57 yards per return, the ninth-best average in the nation, and tops among independent schools.

The SBU defense had a season-high six sacks against Urbana last week, as defensive end Will Ramirez, Jr. extended his streak of at least one sack in the last four games. Ramirez's five and a half sacks over six games (.92 per game) is 19th in Division II.

Sophomore linebacker Andre Hicks is averaging 9.2 tackles per game, tied for 37th in the nation. Fellow sophomore Shaquille Shedd (9.0 per game) is just behind, ranked 40th. Austin Otwell (8.33, 80th) also ranks among the top 100.

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.

Lincoln head coach Nathan Cochran is in his second season patrolling the Blue Tiger sideline,
and the fourth head coach since the program's revival in 1999.

This week will be the first matchup between former MIAA rivals in 21 years. SBU has won all
three matchups against the Blue Tigers, sweeping a three game series that ran from 1987-89.

SCOUTING THE BLUE TIGERS
After the Blue Tigers earned the first win of the Cochran era three weeks ago, they have struggled to keep the momentum, and are trying to stop a two game slide.

Lincoln works out of a run-heavy offense, which has caused real problems due to a number
of injuries in the Blue Tiger backfield. junior A.J. Simeon will lead the attack, after running for 123 yards on 14 carries against St. Joseph's (Ind.) last week. Simeon will likely split time with freshman halfback Joseph Snell. Snell has averaged just 27.2 yards per game, but has a hefty 9.1 yards per carry, and went for 102 yards and a touchdown last week.

Freshman safety Reggie Jennings leads the Lincoln defense with 39 tackles, while junior linebacker Torrence Malone has racked up 35 stops, and a team-high three tackles for loss.