GAME 5: SBU BEARCATS (2-2) at SOUTHERN NAZARENE CRIMSON STORM (3-1)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 • 6:00 PM
SNU FOOTBALL COMPLEX • BETHANY, OKLA.
RADIO: KBFL 99.9 FM (Josh Thompson, play-by-play)
INTERNET AUDIO: www.radiospringfield.com/kbfl.aspx
LIVE STATS: sports.snu.edu/websites/snusports/livestats/xlive.htm

GAME NOTES

BETHANY, Okla. -- The SBU Bearcats begin their longest stretch away from home in recent memory, when they visit Southern Nazarene on Saturday evening. The Bearcats are coming off two straight home wins, that saw them top Bacone and William Jewell. SNU comes home a hot team, winners of their last three games by a combined score of 175-35 and ranked #24 in NAIA.

The centerpiece of the Bearcat offensive attack is senior quarterback Steve Gachette. Gachette has returned to form in recent weeks and now ranks 11th nationally in Division II in total offense, throwing for 1153 yards on 97 of 153 attempts with six touchdowns, while rushing for 149 yards and four TDs. The Bearcats are up to 10th in total offense (468 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 Jewell, Gachette threw his 75th and 76th career touchdown passes, one of the 17 SBU records he currently holds.

The SBU spread attack continues to live up to its name by spreading the ball around. Charles Johnson is the Bearcats' leading receiver (by yards), with 24 catches for 395 yards. The junior wideout has caught touchdown passes in every game this season and ranks 27th nationally in receiving yards per game (98.75). Johnson led the team with 766 yards in 2009 and tied for the team lead with 51 grabs and eight scores. Senior D.A. Allen also has 24 catches for 338 yards and a touchdown, while fellow seniors Sean Kelley (18 catches for 256 yards) and Derrick Foster (15 for 118 yards) also see lots of action.

Sophomore Justin Duhaney is coming off a career day last Saturday, when he rushed for 154 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns. He leads the team with 313 rushing yards on 65 carries and four endzone visits. In 2009, Duhaney ran for 323 yards on 66 carries, good for third on the team.

A youthful group of Bearcats lead the team in tackles, with sophomore linebackers Shaquille Shedd (36 stops) and Andre Hicks (34 tackles) pacing the team. Shedd is tied for 52nd in the country in tackles per game. Sophomore Austin Otwell and freshman Ivan Hodges are next with 30 and 27 tackles, respectivley. Otwell leads the team with two interceptions while Hicks and Ben Tautolo each have two fumble recoveries. Senior defensive linemen Ino Vitale and Will Ramirez, Jr. have three sacks apiece. Vitale also leads with 6.5 tackles for loss.

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.

Mike Cochran is in his fifth season leading the Crimson Storm, with a mark of 25-21 that includes this year's games. Prior to SNU, Cochran was the head coach at MidAmerica Nazarene. In five years there, Cochran compiled at 46-12 record with three NAIA playoff appearances. SBU won the only meeting between the two schools, last year in Bolivar when the Bearcats rolled to a 68-10 homecoming victory.
 
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON STORM
Don't let last year's score between the Bearcats and Storm fool you as Southern Nazarene is a much-improved ballclub. Their 3-1 start helped them break into the NAIA national rankings at #24, for the first time since September 2008.

Junior quarterback Brady Wardlaw leads the way, earning Central States Football Offensive Player of the Week honors for the last three weeks. Wardlaw set a school record with six touchdown passes in SNU's 42-18 win over Bethel (Kan.). He passed for 316 yards while completing 29 of 43 passes. He's the second ranked passer in NAIA with 1070 yards and has tallied 1166 yards which ranks third.

Derick Perkins is the top rusher, gaining 208 yards on 46 carries along with four touchdowns. It's even more of a balanced attack for the Crimson Storm (than SBU) in receiving, with five different players with 14 catches each. David Balenseifen has 226 yards to lead while Garret Barnes tops with four TD grabs. Jarod Martin and Josh Woods also have 14 catches apiece.

Linebacker Jason Walser leads SNU with 40 total tackles including 17 solos. Adrian Valdes is second with 35 stops including 19 solos. Matt Pruitt has a team high three interceptions.