Box Score
Jefferson City, Mo. - The Bearcat football team opened conference play against Lincoln University Saturday evening. The Blue Tigers defeated the Bearcats by a score of 28-13. SBU's record moves to 0-3 (0-1 GLVC).

Both teams were held scoreless through one quarter, each side playing strong defense. Lincoln scored on their first two drives of the second quarter, giving them a 14-0 lead. However, the Bearcats would answer with a successful drive of their own. Starting from their own 23, the Bearcats drove 77 yards in 10 plays finishing with a touchdown. Highlights of the drive include a 13 yard completion from Bryse Salik to Matt Lechuga and two connections from Salik to Connor Ratcliff, including a 5 yard touchdown. Neither team would put more points up before the end of the half, giving the Blue Tigers a 14-7 lead going into halftime.

Lincoln started the third quarter in a similar manner to the second, scoring touchdowns on their first two drives, giving them a 28-7 lead. At the 8:27 mark, SBU started a drive that appeared to be crumbling, but thanks to a roughing the passer penalty on Lincoln, the drive was kept alive. A handful of small pick ups led to a 24 yard connection from Salik to EJ Hackett, setting the Bearcats up in scoring position. SBU would not find the end zone on the drive, but a 38 yard Alec Gathright field goal cut the Blue Tiger lead to 28-10. The Bearcats began the fourth quarter with another field goal, this one from 26 yards out. The rest of the fourth was strong defensively on both sides, giving a final score of 28-13 in favor of the Blue Tigers.

Bryse Salik had a final line of 22 of 44 for 208 yards, 1 touchdown, and zero interceptions. Connor Ratcliff led the receiving section, hauling in 8 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown, his longest catch being a 21 yard pick up. Defensively, Tyler Curts and De'Shawn Tone had an almost identical night, each finishing with 7 solo tackles, 5 assists, and each with a forced fumble. Curts finished with 1 sack, Tone finished with an outstanding 3-sack game. 

The SBU Football Team will play again Saturday, September 29th, hosting Missouri S&T for homecoming.