GAME 3: SBU BEARCATS (0-2) vs BACONE COLLEGE WARRIORS (1-1)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 • 1:30 PM
PLASTER STADIUM • BOLIVAR, MO
RADIO: KBFL 99.1 FM (Josh Thompson, play-by-play)
INTERNET AUDIO: www.radiospringfield.com/kbfl.aspx
LIVE STATS: www.sidearmstats.com/sbuniv/football

GAME NOTES

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats return home seeking their first win of 2010 Saturday against the Bacone College Warriors. The Bearcats are coming off a narrow 33-30 loss at Truman State University while Bacone comes to Bolivar following a 41-6 home loss to McMurry University.

The centerpiece of the Bearcat offensive attack is senior quarterback Steve Gachette. Through the first two games of 2010, Gachette ranks 21st nationally in Division II in passing, throwing for 591 yards on 47 of 81 attempts with three touchdowns. The Bearcats are 29th in total offense  (433.5 ypg) after finishing 2009 fifth nationally (482 ypg). Gachette was named the 2009 D2football.com All-Independents Offensive Player of the Year, Football Gazette's All-Super Region Four Third Team and was a regional finalist for the Harlon Hill Award, which honors the nation's top Division II football player. Gachette needs just 81 yards Saturday for 10,000 career passing yards and 14 attempts for 1500 in his career, two of the 17 SBU records he currently holds.

Charles Johnson is the Bearcats' leading receiver, with 14 catches for 206 yards. The junior wideout has caught touchdown passes in each of the first two games. Johnson led the team with 766 yards in 2009 and tied with former 'Cat Johnnie King for the team lead with 51 grabs and eight scores. Sean Kelley has caught 10 balls for 165 yards through two games while fellow senior D.A. Allen has 11 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown.

Sophomore Justin Duhaney has started the first two games of 2010 and shares the rushing lead with Thad Everson with 100 yards each. Everson was second to Gachette in 2009 with 659 rushing yards on 133 carries and six touchdown, while Duhaney ran for 323 yards on 66 carries.

A younger group of Bearcats lead the team in tackles, with sophomore linebackers Shaquille Shedd (24 stops) and Austin Otwell (20 tackles) pacing the team. Shedd is tied for 19th in the country in tackles. Freshman Ivan Hodges and sophomore Andre Hicks are next with 17 tackles each. Otwell also leads with three tackles for a loss while Hicks has two fumble recoveries. Junior Anthony Wiggins has an interception and a fumble return for a score and is tied for fifth on the team with 11 tackles.

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.

Lloyd Spotted Wolf is in his second season leading the Warriors and 14th season coaching overall. He came to Muskogee after three seasons at Blinn Junior College. Wolf picked up his second career win in week one when Bacone topped Haskell Indian Nations 20-16. Saturday's contest will be the first ever meeting between the Bearcats and Warriors.

SCOUTING THE WARRIORS
The Warriors are an NAIA program that competes in the Central States Football League. The CSFL also includes Southern Nazarene, a team SBU beat last year at homecoming and travels to on September 25.

Quarterback Mike Cook leads the Warrior offensive attack, throwing for 317 yards on 26 of 60 attempts. Jamario Thomas is Bacone's top rusher, with 134 yards on 30 carries. Joe Morris has 57 yards on the ground while JaMarcus Creeks has three carries for 56 yards.

Stanley Johnson has six catches for 136 yards while Roman Nelson has six grabs for 84 yards. Bryan Perkins has caught the team's lone touchdown pass and has three catches for 40 yards.

Sophomore defensive back Cedric Pierce is the  Warriors' top tackler, with 14 stops including eight solos. Prentice Joseph and Niko Wright are next with 12 tackles each.