Box Score

Rolla, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University football team completed a 19 point second half comeback victory over Missouri S&T in Rolla on Saturday afternoon. With the victory the Bearcats improve to 3-6 (2-4 GLVC) on the season.

In the opening drive of the game, Missouri S&T drove the ball 75 yards in 14 plays capping off their drive with a 5 yard touchdown run from Dalton Major as the Bearcats went down 7-0 early on. After gaining one first down on SBU's first drive, the Bearcats were forced to punt. Austin Molitor pinned the ball inside the S&T 10 yardline, where the return man fumbled the kick, which was recovered by Quinton Doswell on the S&T 3 yardline. Bubba Jenkins then punched it in from 3 yards out to tie the contest at 7-7. On the Miners next possession, the Bearcats held strong for their first three plays forcing a punt on 4th and 10 from the SBU 21. S&T shot the snap past the punter, and out of the back of the endzone for a safety, giving SBU a 9-7 lead. The Miner defense forced an SBU turnover on downs, and then threw a 50 yard pass to regain the lead at 14-9. After a three-and-out by SBU, Antion McBee picked up his 9th interception of the season as the quarter ended with the Bearcats trailing the Miners 14-9.

In the second quarter, Missouri S&T utilized a Jenkins fumble and a short field of only 17 yards to extend their lead to 21-9. The Bearcats responded after both teams had unsuccessful drives by putting together an 87 yard drive in only 1:23. On 3rd and 18 from the SBU 5 yardline, Trent Edwards II hit Nathan Mourik with a big 57 yard pass to keep the drive alive. On the following by Jenkins busted out a 38 yard touchdown scamper as SBU pulled within five at 21-16 with 2:42 remaining in the half. However, Missouri S&T made the most of their opportunities, scoring two touchdowns in just over a two minute span, as SBU went into the half trailing 35-16.

The Bearcats came out of the locker room with a three-and-out on offense, but a big defense stand on Missouri S&T first possession of the second half by stopping them on a 4th and 9 from the SBU 29. The SBU offense once again went to work, and a big 23 yard rush by Edwards II on third down once again kept the SBU drive alive. Edwards II then hit Ivan Lofton for a 32 yard pass, and two plays later found Mourik for a 21 yard touchdown pass to cut the S&T lead to 35-23. However, S&T would return to following kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown as the Bearcats once again fell behind by 19 at 42-23. The SBU defense continued to make big stop after big stop to help keep SBU within striking distance. With 5:42 left in the third quarter, Edwards II found Kendrick Payne for a 98 yard touchdown pass as SBU began their comeback. Payne then returned the favor on the two-point conversion, completing a pass to Edwards II as SBU trailed 42-31. On the following S&T drive, the Miners drove the ball down to the SBU 5 yardline before Vice Epenesa picked up a huge strip sack to prevent the Miners from scoring as SBU trailed 42-31 after three quarters of play.

On S&T's following possession, SBU once again came up with a big fumble recovery deep inside SBU territory when Brycen Gagnon recovered a fumble on the SBU 20 yardline. The Bearcats were unable to turn that turnover into points, but after a three-and-out by the Miners on their next possession, Edwards II found Mourik down the sideline for a 63 yard touchdown pass. Edwards II then found Mourik in the back of the endzone on the two-point conversion as SBU trailed 42-39 with 9:51 to go in the contest. The SBU defense once again forced a three-and-out, giving the Bearcats a shot to take the lead. The Bearcats used primarily passing plays to drive down the field, and a big 34 yard third down reception by Scottie Wilson Jr. gave the ball to the Bearcats on the MST 1 yardline. Jenkins then punched it in from one yard out, his third of the day, as SBU took a 46-42 lead. The defense continued their strong play down the stretch, and a Doswell interception with 2:39 left in the game sealed the victory for the Bearcats as they picked up the 46-42 win.

Bubba Jenkins finished the afternoon with 108 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, eclipsing the 1,000 yard rushing mark on the season. Jenkins becomes one of only four Bearcats to belong to the 1,000 yard rushing club, the first since 2003. Trent Edwards II found success through the air, throwing for 385 yards and three touchdowns, while Nathan Mourik hauled in 5 receptions for 158 yards and two scores. Defensively Tyler Curts continues to lead the Bearcats in tackles, with 12, while Vice Epenesa had 11, including three for a loss. Antion McBee and Quinton Doswell both picked off S&T passes, while Brycen Gagnon recovered two fumbles.

SBU will have an off week next weekend, but will return to action on Saturday, November 14 when they host Lincoln for senior day. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. from Plaster Stadium in Bolivar.