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Opponent: Truman State
Time: Saturday, October 7th; 1:05 PM
Location: Stokes Stadium; Kirksville, Missouri

Bolivar, Mo. - The Southwest Baptist University football team will travel to Truman State on Saturday as the two reigning GLVC champions will face off in the NCAA Division II National Showcase Game of the Week, to be aired on ESPN 3. The meeting this weekend marks the first of two match-up's between the schools on the 2017 schedule.

The Coaches and the All-Time Series
Robert Clardy will begin his third season as the head coach on the Bearcat bench. Coach Clardy led the Bearcats to their first ever NCAA Playoff appearance, National Ranking, and Conference Championship during the 2016 season. Coach Clardy has produced six All-American's during his career, while seeing his athletes break numerous SBU, GLVC, and NCAA records.

Gregg Nesbitt is in his 7th season as the head coach for Truman State. Nesbitt holds a career coaching record of 33-32, including an 24-27 mark in conference play.

Truman State leads the all-time series against Southwest Baptist 24-3. Truman State claimed a 26-16 victory last season in Bolivar.

Scouting the Bearcats
Southwest Baptist comes into the game at Truman State 2-3 (1-2 GLVC) on the season after falling on the road at McKendree 28-7. Offensively, the Bearcats are led by TJ Edwards who averages 263.6 passing yards/game, while Kendrick Payne averages a team high 77.6 receiving yards/game followed by Jerminic Smith's 63.2 yards/game and Cassian Foreman's 57.4 yards/game. Defensively, Tyler Curts leads the Bearcats with 10.2 tackles/game and 5.5 total tackles for a loss, while De'shawn Tone has a team leading 8.5 tackles for loss and Brycen Gagnon has scored two defensive touchdowns to go along with 9.2 tackles/game. The Southwest Baptist offense averages 26.4 points per game and 392.0 yards of total offense per game, while the defense limits opponents to 22.2 points per game and 322.4 yards of total offense per game.

Scouting the Bulldogs
Truman State comes into the game against Southwest Baptist 1-4 (1-2 GLVC) after falling on the road to Indianapolis 34-19 last weekend. The Bulldogs are led offensively on the ground by Jordan Salima who averages 95.0 rushing yards/game, while quarterback Jaden Barr averages 135.8 passing yards/game with 6 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Jordan Jorgenson is the leading receiver for TSU, averaging 56.2 receiving yards/game. Defensively Justin Mikeworth has a team leading 7.6 tackles/game, while Sam Reeves had 6.5 tackles for loss with 5.0 sacks, and Bryan Edwards has recovered 4 fumbles. The Truman State offense averages 23.0 points per game and 314.0 yards of total offense per game, while the defense allows 29.6 points per game and 359.8 yards of total offense per game.

Quick Hits

• Tyler Curts ranks 9th in the NCAA and 1st in the GLVC in Fumble Recoveries (2)
• Brycen Gagnon ranks 9th in the NCAA and 1st in the GLVC in Fumble Recoveries (2)
• Cory Hanger ranks 18th in the NCAA and 3rd in the GLVC in Passes Defended per Game (1.6)
• TJ Edwards ranks 23rd in the NCAA and 3rd in the GLVC in Total Offense per Game (285.8)
• Tyler Curts ranks 25th in the NCAA and 4th in the GLVC in Tackles per Game (10.5)
• TJ Edwards ranks 26th in the NCAA and 2nd in the GLVC in Passing Yards per Game (263.6)
• De'shawn Tone ranks 27th in the NCAA and 3rd in the GLVC in Tackles for Loss per Game (1.7)
• TJ Edwards ranks 35th in the NCAA and 2nd in the GLVC in Passing Touchdowns (10)
• Kendrick Payne ranks 3rd in the GLVC in Receiving Yards per Game (77.6)
• Malek Butler ranks 3rd in the GLVC in Interceptions (2)
• Jerminic Smith ranks 4th in the GLVC in Receiving Yards per Game (63.2)
• Brycen Gagnon ranks 5th in the GLVC in Tackles per Game (9.0)
• SBU ranks 6th in the NCAA and 1st in the GLVC in Defensive Touchdowns (3)
• SBU ranks 9th in the NCAA and 1st in the GLVC in Team Tackles for Loss (10.0/game)
• SBU ranks 21st in the NCAA and 2nd in the GLVC in Fumbles Recovered (6)
• SBU ranks 26th in the NCAA and 2nd in the GLVC in Passing Yards Allowed (161.0 yards/game)
• SBU ranks 28th in the NCAA and 2nd in the GLVC in Passing Offense (273.0 yards/game)
• SBU ranks 31st in the NCAA and 2nd in the GLVC in Blocked Kicks (2)