Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University special teams and defense played outstanding for SBU against #25 Emporia State, but the Bearcats lost a heart-breaker to ESU, 19-15.

Chris Muhammad took the opening kickoff 97 yards up the right sideline to give SBU a quick 6-0 lead. After pinning Emporia State back on their own 1 off of an excellent punt by John Colliver, Karre' Wallace took down the Emporia State running back in the endzone to force a safety, giving SBU an 8-0 lead.

With 5:30 left to play in the first half, Evan Ray picked off a pass from Brent Wilson, giving the Bearcats excellent field position. Dan Connors finished off the drive with an 8 yard touchdown run to give SBU a 15-0 lead. On the next Emporia State possession, Jameson Manuma recorded his first interception of the season, giving the ball back to SBU in the red zone. The Bearcats were able to take the ball down to the ESU 2 yard line, but were unable to add points to the scoreboard, but took a 15-0 lead into halftime.

Emporia State would score 19 unanswered points as the Bearcats were unable to put the ball in the end zone as SBU lost a heart-breaker 19-15. Defensively Jameson Manuma had an excellent day. Manuma recorded a team high 10 tackles, 2 being for a loss, while also recording one sack and one interception. Chris Muhammad had a great day running the ball back on kick returns, returning 2 kickoffs for 159 yards and a touchdown. Offensively Dan Connors threw for 173 yards on 19-29 passing, while adding another 39 yards on the ground with one touchdown. Zachary Sohn was the leading receiver for the Bearcats, hauling in 8 catches for 92 yards.

SBU will be back in action on Saturday, October 13 when they host Fort Hays State for the MIAA TV Game of the Week. Kickoff is set for 2:37 from Plaster Stadium in Bolivar.