Box Score Rapid City, S.D. - GLVC records continue to fall as the Southwest Baptist University offense was in full force on Saturday afternoon in Rapid City. The Bearcats used a potent passing and rushing attack to top the Hardrockers 54-50, as Nathan Mourik broke the GLVC and SBU single game touchdown receiving record with 5 touchdown grabs on the afternoon.

The scoring happened early and often for two high powered offenses in a non-conference matchup. The Hardrockers were the first to strike on a 22 yard touchdown pass less than a minute into the contests as Southwest Baptist found themselves down 8-0 early on. The Bearcats responded right back with a 4 yard touchdown pass from Willie Tindal to Nathan Mourik to cut the lead to one at 8-7. SDSMT answered right back with a 23 yard touchdown run, but the Bearcats received a rushing touchdown of their own when Jaha McCray scurried in from 27 yards out as the Bearcats trailed the Hardrockers 15-13 after a quarter of action.

In the second quarter, the Bearcats dominated time of possession and the scoreboard, taking a commanding lead over the Hardrockers. After missing a long 47 yard field goal attempt, the SBU defense picked up their first takaway of the game when Brycen Gagnon forced a fumble by the SDSMT running back, and was recovered by Victor Clavier. The Bearcats used the turnover to turn it into points, fueled by 33 yards rushing from defensive end ViaVia Manuma, as Manuma punched it into the endzone with a 20 yard touchdown run. The SBU defense forced a three and out, and on their next offensive possession, Tindal found Mourik in the back of the endzone on a 37 yard touchdown pass to put the Bearcats up 27-15. After a fumble recovery by Manuma, the Bearcat offense extended the SBU lead to 34-15. After a long pass play from Tindal to Marcus Strickland, coupled with a SDSMT penalty, Manuma threw his first career passing touchdown to Mourik on a 15 yard completion. The Hardrockers added a 33 yard touchdown pass before the half ended as the Bearcats went into the break up 34-22.

After a pair of three-and-outs by both squads, SDSMT connected on a 14 yard touchdown pass to cut the SBU lead to 34-29. The Bearcats promptly responded, and after a 40 yard rush by Bubba Jenkins, Tindal once again found Mourik in the endzone with a 7 yard touchdown pass to extended the lead back to 12 at 41-29. The back and forth battled continued between Southwest Baptist and SD School of Mines, as the Hardrockers responded with another passing touchdown as SBU lead 41-36 after three quarters.

In the fourth quarter the Bearcats used their opening drive to extend their lead when Tindal hit Scottie Wilson for a 10 yard touchdown to put the Bearcats up 47-36. The Hardrockers once again responded with a touchdown of their own before Tindal hit Mourik with a 65 yard touchdown pass to extend the lead back to double-digits at 54-44. After a missed field goal by SDSMT, and an SBU punt, the Hardrockers cut the lead back to four with a touchdown. However, George Sanders came through with a huge blocked extra point to sustain a four point lead at 54-50. The Bearcats recovered the Hardrocker onside kick attempt as Southwest Baptist went on to pick up the 54-50 victory.

Nathan Mourik continues to have a record breaking season, hauling in 10 grabs for 195 yards and a GLVC and SBU record 5 touchdown receptions. Willie Tindal had an outstanding game from the quarterback position, going 23-33 with 408 yards and 6 touchdown passes, while Bubba Jenkins had SBU's first 100 yard rusher with 102 yards on 14 carries. Defensively Brycen Gagnon led the way with 9 tackles on the afternoon.

The Bearcats will conclude their season on Saturday, November 15 when they travel to Southern Nazarene. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. from Bethany, Oklahoma.