By: Jeff Weseloh, Director of Athletics Media Relations
Box Score Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University football team closed out their 2015 season on a high note with a 62-19 victory over Lincoln. The Bearcats put up 49 first half points as they cruised to the victory.
After four combined punts to open up the game, the Bearcats were the first to strike on their third drive of the afternoon. Following a 24 yard punt by Lincoln,
Trent Edwards II found
Kendrick Payne down the sideline for a 49 yard touchdown strike to put the Bearcats up 7-0. The SBU defense forced a three-and-out, where the SBU offense went to work starting once again in Blue Tiger territory. Edwards II hit Payne with a 16 yard pass early in the drive, and capped off the drive with a 19 yard touchdown pass to
Scottie Wilson Jr. to extend the SBU lead to 14-0. Once again the SBU defense forced a Lincoln punt, their fifth of the game, before the offense scored another first quarter touchdown.
Bubba Jenkins led the drive off with a 22 yard scamper, and after 27 yard pass from Edwards II to Wilson Jr., the Bearcats scored their third touchdown on a 19 yard strike from Edwards II to
Nathan Mourik. The first quarter came to a close on LU's following drive, as SBU held a 21-0 lead.
In the second quarter, the punting struggles continued for Lincoln after a 16 yard punt gave the Bearcats the ball on Lincoln's 37 yardline. After a pair of passes to
Ivan Lofton and Jenkins, Edwards II finished off the drive with a 9 yard rushing touchdown to put SBU up 28-0. On Lincoln's next offensive possession, the Blue Tigers advanced the ball down to the SBU 9 yardline, but an incomplete pass on fourth down gave the Bearcats the ball back. On 3rd and 11 from SBU's 9 yardline, Edwards II hit Wilson Jr. with another touchdown, this one a 91 yarder, to put SBU up 35-0. The Bearcats continued to press, and a forced fumble by
Julian Shade led the a
Tyler Curts fumble recovery which he took to the house to give SBU a 42-0 lead. Once again the Bearcat defense forced a three-and-out, and capped off another scoring drive when Jenkins threw a two-yard touchdown pass to
Connor Ratcliff to give SBU a 49-0 lead. The SBU defense once again held ground on a fourth down attempt by the Blue Tigers as the Bearcats went into the half up 49-0.
In the third quarter Lincoln finally got on the scoreboard with a 18 yard touchdown reception, cutting SBU's lead to 49-7. However, the Bearcats responded right back on the following drive. Using three different 10+ rushing yard plays, an Edwards II 9 yard touchdown pass to
Kendrick Payne gave SBU a 55-7 lead. The Blue Tigers added another touchdown in the quarter, as SBU led 55-13 after three quarters of action.
The Bearcats continued their impressive offensive output in the fourth quarter when Jenkins had a 6 yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 62-13. The Blue Tigers added one more touchdown in the quarter, but the Bearcats would cruise to the 62-19 victory.
Trent Edwards II had a strong afternoon of action, throwing for 279 yards to go along with 6 touchdowns (5 passing, 1 rushing).
Bubba Jenkins once again topped the 100 yard mark by rushing for 167 yards and 1 touchdown, while Scottie Wilson hauled in 4 receptions for 139 yards and a pair of scores. Defensively
Tyler Curts led the way for SBU with 9 tackles, and returned the fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Julian Shade and
Vice Epenesa both picked up sacks in the victory.
The Bearcats close out the 2015 season 4-6 (3-5 GLVC) as they broke numerous SBU school records.
Nathan Mourik became the all-time leading receiver in SBU history, as well as hauling in the most touchdowns in a career.
Antion McBee set a new SBU school record for interceptions in a season, while SBU punter
Austin Molitor broke the career record for punt average.
Bubba Jenkins ran the 4th most yards in a single season in SBU history, while
Trent Edwards II threw for the 5th most touchdowns in a single season in SBU history.