Bolivar, Mo. – The SBU Football team was back at Plaster Stadium Saturday afternoon, hosting the Bearcats of McKendree. The game went down to the wire, and a 4^th down stop by McKendree gave them the win 45-42. With the loss, SBU drops to 3-6 (2-3 GLVC) on the year.
 
McKendree won the toss and elected to defer, giving SBU the ball first. After a three and out, McKendree got their first chance on offense, but fumbled on just their third play from scrimmage. On 3^rd and 11 from the MCK 24, Cooper Callis connected with Preston Carson for a 24-yard touchdown to put the first points on the board. The McKendree kick returner took the ensuing kickoff to the house, but was called for unsportsmanlike conduct before reaching the end zone, taking off the points and setting up the visitors on the SBU 19. That penalty proved costly, as the SBU defense held strong and forced McKendree to settle for a field goal. Southwest Baptist jumped out to a 14-3 lead late in the first, as Callis found Jarrett Massie for the 6-yard touchdown.
 
The visitors opened the second quarter with a long drive ending in a touchdown to make the score 14-10. After trading unsuccessful drives, SBU got the ball back with 6:02 left in the half. On 3^rd and 10 from the 15-yard line, Preston Carson caught his second touchdown pass from Callis to extend the SBU lead. The visitors drove the field and scored just before the break, SBU ahead 21-17.
 
The SBU lead was cut to just one following the opening drive of the third quarter, as McKendree made a 34-yard field goal. Southwest Baptist responded with a touchdown, this score coming from Abel Carter from 4 yards out. After three plays for a loss of a yard, McKendree was forced to punt from their 31. Jarvis Funk applied the pressure, blocking the punt and setting SBU up deep in McKendree territory. Similar to the previous SBU drive, they punched it in from 4 yards out, Eric Knight the ball carrier. McKendree would make one more field goal before the end of the third, giving SBU a 35-23 lead heading into the final frame.
 
Several penalties kept McKendree in the game, where they scored to open the fourth quarter, cutting the SBU lead to 35-30. Four big completions helped SBU bounce back, as Isaac Scroggins caught the final for a 12-yard touchdown to extend the lead once again. McKendree responded with a touchdown of their own, and got the ball back after an SBU three-and-out. They drove the field for another touchdown, taking a 45-42 lead with 2:24 left on the clock. Callis opened the next drive with two completions of a combined 37 yards, setting them up deep in McKendree territory. Faced with a 4^th and 3, SBU elected to go for it and it paid off. Jarvis Funk hauled in a 7-yard pass to keep the drive alive. Southwest Baptist was faced with another fourth down, this one coming from the 3-yard line. Callis zipped the ball in to Isaac Scroggins, but the McKendree defender was there for the breakup, ending the game 45-42 in favor of McKendree.
 
Cooper Callis had another impressive day, completing 80% of his passes (28-35) for 324 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also picked up 51 yards with his legs. Preston Carson was on the receiving end of 10 of those passes for 165 yards and 2 scores. The defense was led by none other than Coleton Smith, making 14 tackles, including a tackle for loss, and 7 quarterback hurries.
 
The team hits the road for the final time next week, taking on Quincy University at 1:00 PM in Quincy, IL.