Kirksville, Mo. – The Bearcats were on the road again this week, taking on Truman State in another GLVC contest. In the most recent NCAA DII Polls, TSU received votes just narrowly missing the top 25. The Bulldogs came out on top in the end, winning by a final score of 52-7. With the loss, SBU falls to 2-3 (0-2 GLVC).
 
Truman State received the ball first after SBU deferred on the coin toss. After a nice kick return, the Bulldogs drove down the field and put the first points on the board. The Bearcats responded extremely quickly with a 3 play, 82-yard drive that ended with a 76-yard Brenden Smith touchdown run. Kyle Ghetes put it through the uprights to tie the game at 7-7. On the next TSU drive, SBU forced the Bulldogs to a 4^th and 1 situation, where Truman State lost 21 yards due to a fumble. SBU set up shop with great field position, but the Truman defense held their ground. Logan Claborn had a beautiful punt, downing the Bulldogs on their own 3-yard line. The Bulldogs scored once more before the end of the quarter, giving them a 14-7 advantage heading into the second.
 
After another Bulldog score and mid-way through the 2^nd, the Bearcats were driving. Brenden Smith completed passes to Eric Knight, Curtis Cuillard, Jarrett Massie, and Chance Deitz on the drive, but a fumble gave TSU the ball back on their own 12-yard line. The took nearly the remainder of the quarter to drive the field, but SBU held them to a field goal, creating a 24-7 Bulldog lead at the half.
 
The Bulldogs came out with the momentum in the second half, scoring twice in the third quarter to go ahead 38-7. Late in the 3^rd, Brenden Smith hit Jarrett Massie for 17 yards trying to spark a drive. Forced to go for it on 4^th and 2, the Bearcats couldn't convert, giving the ball back to Truman State. The home team scored on the next play, pushing their lead to 45-7 early in the 4^th. The Bulldogs would score once more before the end of the game, making the final score 52-7.
 
In his first start, Brenden Smith went 15-28 for 112 yards in the air, and 17 rushes for 175 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Tevin Hall had a team-high 11 tackles, 2 tackles for loss.
 
The Bearcats return home next weekend, taking on William Jewell for the second time this season, this game counting as conference play. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM at Plaster Stadium.