GAME 4: SBU BEARCATS (1-2) vs WILLIAM JEWELL CARDINALS (1-1)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 • 1:30 PM
PLASTER STADIUM • BOLIVAR, MO
RADIO: KBFL 99.9 FM (Josh Thompson, play-by-play)
INTERNET AUDIO: RadioSpringfield.com
LIVE STATS: via Sidearm

GAME NOTES

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats will play their last home game for a month Saturday when they host the William Jewell College Cardinals. SBU comes off a tougher than expected 21-12 win last week over Bacone while Jewell comes in off a 31-9 home win over Graceland. Following Saturday's contest with the Cards, SBU will be on the road for three straight weekends, followed by a bye on October 16 and then hosts Central State on October 23 for homecoming.

The centerpiece of the Bearcat offensive attack is senior quarterback Steve Gachette. Through the first three contests of 2010, Gachette ranks ninth nationally in Division II in total offense, throwing for 900 yards on 75 of 126 attempts with five touchdowns, while rushing for 117 yards. The Bearcats are 24th in total offense (429 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. Last Saturday against Bacone, Gachette moved past the 10,000 mark for career passing yards and also eclipsed 1500 career passing attempts, two of the 17 SBU records he currently holds.

Charles Johnson is the Bearcats' leading receiver, with 22 catches for 344 yards. The junior wideout has caught touchdown passes in each of the first three games and ranks 12th nationally in receiving yards per game (114.7). 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. Senior D.A. Allen has 17 catches for 225 yards and a touchdown, while fellow senior Sean Kelley has 13 catches for 209 yards.

Sophomore Justin Duhaney has started the first three games of 2010 and leads the team with 159 rushing yards on 48 carries. In 2009, Duhaney ran for 323 yards on 66 carries, good for third on the team.

A younger group of Bearcats lead the team in tackles, with sophomore linebackers Shaquille Shedd (33 stops) and Andre Hicks (31 tackles) pacing the team. Shedd is tied for 22nd in the country in tackles. Sophomore Austin Otwell and freshman Ivan Hodges are next with 24 and 23 tackles, respectivley. Otwell leads the team with two interceptions while Hicks has two fumble recoveries. Senior defensive linemen Ino Vitale and Will Ramirez, Jr. have two sacks apiece.

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.

Jerod Kruse is in his first season as head coach of the Cardinals, after serving two seasons as defensive coordinator. Prior to that, Kruse has also been a secondary coordinator at Baker and Emporia State. The Cats and Cards have met just twice before, with SBU winning both times. The last game between the schools was in 1987, won by SBU 31-28 in Bolivar.
 
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
William Jewell is an NAIA program in the process of moving to NCAA Division II. The Cardinals are in year two of a three-year membership candidacy period. Upon successful completion of the provisional year ('11-12), the College would be invited to active membership in the NCAA Division II during the 2012-13 academic year. They're currently a member of the Heart of America Conference but will eventually transition to the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

Offensively for the Cardinals, it's more rush than pass, with the reverse being true with the WJC defense. WJC has gained 325 net yards on the ground (4.0 per carry) to 166 for their two opponents. The Cards have thrown for 187 yards while allowing 323 to their opponents.

Jake Lynch leads the ground attack with 199 yards on 36 carries, while Fealt Cooper has 104 yards on 21 attempts. Backup QB Sean Shelton leads with 183 passing yards on 39 attempts. Taylor Gallagher (5 catches for 25 yards) and Phillip Freeman (3 for 57yds) are the top receivers.

OLB J.R. Bryant is the top tackler with 14 tackles including nine solo. OLB Zach Traphagen has 13 stops while safety Chris Ramirez has 10.