Rolla, Mo. – In their second game of the spring 2021 season, the Bearcats were edged by the Miners 48-34. Despite the 14-point deficit, the Bearcats trailed by just one possession with less than two minutes left before S&T found the end zone on a third down run. The loss makes the Bearcats 0-2 on the year.
 
The Miners won the toss and deferred to the second half, giving SBU the ball first. A drive that took 5:07 was capped off with a 4^th and 8 connection between Cooper Callis and Jordan Kent for a 14-yard touchdown. The Miners answered on their first possession and opened the second quarter with another score, leading 14-7. Another long drive by the Bearcats resulted in a score, a two-yard run by Eric Knight who escaped several Miner defenders in the process. Not long after, Missouri S&T scored on a very quick drive, taking the lead again with a 20-14 score. On Missouri S&T's next possession, the defense held strong and forced a punt. The punt was then blocked by Jeremiah Scroggins and Jarrett Massie scooped the ball and scored to go ahead 21-20. The Miners turned it over again on their very next possession, Killian Carper completed the strip-sack play and was recovered by Kevin Harris. The Bearcats made a push right before half, but the score remained 21-20 at the break.
 
A long return on the kickoff made a short field for the Miners who scored on the next play, 27-21. The teams then traded turnovers, as the Miners recovered a fumble but threw an interception to Bryton Lewi who returned it 24 yards. SBU drove to the Miner 25-yard line and took a shot at the end zone on a 4^th and 6, but came up short. The hosts scored twice more in the third, leading 41-21 heading into the final frame. Once again, the Bearcats completed a 5+ minute drive with a touchdown from Cooper Callis to Curtis Cuillard. Defense held strong, forcing S&T to a punt. SBU then drove 80 yards in three plays, Callis finding Kent for a second time to make it a one-score game at 34-41 with 6:35 on the clock. Aaron Harris and Ryan Skeens got to the Miner quarterback on 3^rd and 7, forcing another punt. However, the Miner defense came up big, forcing a turnover on downs. They scored once more, ending the game 48-34.
 
Cooper Callis had another excellent outing, completing 23-43 passes for 299 yards and 3 more touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing, picking up 68 yards on 15 attempts. Callis's former high school teammate was his primary target Saturday evening. Jordan Kent caught 8 passes for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 143 receiving yards are the most by an SBU player since November 11, 2017. On defense, Aaron Harris led the team with 10 tackles, making 1.5 tackles for loss and was part of a sack.
 
The team will wrap up their short spring regular season schedule next Saturday, April 17 as they travel to Liberty, MO to face the William Jewell Cardinals. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 1:00 PM.