Goodwell, Okla. - The SBU football team began their 2023 season this evening as they traveled to 'no man's land' to take on Oklahoma Panhandle State. The Bearcats controlled the entire game, winning by a final score of 65-7. This gives them an opening season win for the second straight season. 

Southwest Baptist had a near perfect first half on defense holding the Aggies scoreless forcing them to punt the ball six times. On the offensive end, they scored three touchdowns and Logan Turner nailed a 42-yard field goal. The Bearcats continued to put on the pressure in the second half tagging on 41 more points with two field goals and 5 touchdowns.  

As a team, the Bearcats ran for over 300 yards and broke an SBU single game record for yards per rush averaging 9.5 per carry. They had 570 total yards, nearly 400 more than the Aggies. Six of their eight touchdowns were on the ground, tying a Bearcat single game record.  

Nearly every player in a Bearcat uniform contributed to the victory but one had a game for the ages in junior kicker Logan Turner. Turner went a perfect 8-8 in extra point attempts moving him into fourth place in SBU career PAT's, nearly 20 away from the record. He also nailed all three of his field goal attempts, each from beyond 40 yards. He now has 20 in his career and is 7 away from breaking the SBU record. 

Southwest Baptist football will return to Bolivar for a two-game home stand beginning next Saturday. They will battle the Yellow Jackets of Black Hills State at Plaster Stadium with a scheduled kickoff of 12:00 PM. This will be the first ever meeting between these opponents.