Bolivar, Mo. - SBU football returned home Saturday evening and put on a thrilling game for their roaring fans. A back-and-forth battle had each fan from both teams on the edge of their seat. The game played down to who had the ball last, which ended up in the hands of the Missouri S&T Miners as the Bearcats fell in the game 40-42 on a last second field goal. This heartbreaking loss moves them to 2-2 (1-1 GLVC) on the season. 
 
The game started out slow for the home team as the Miners scored the first 14 points of the game in the first quarter. SBU responded shortly into the second with a 1-yard touchdown run from Jobe Smith, cutting the lead in half. S&T answered with a field goal of their own before the Bearcats scored their second touchdown of the game with a Kamau Ransom five-yard touchdown reception. The Miners would answer with their own TD one more time before the end of the half making it 14-24 after 30. 
 
Early into the second half, S&T went on a drive but was shut down by the Bearcat defense forcing a field goal making it a 13-point game. Less than 30 seconds later, SBU quarterback Jaron Saunders would find Ransom again for a 59-yard touchdown pass making it a one possession game. After another big stop from Southwest Baptist, the Bearcats went on a nine-play drive ending in a 15-yard touchdown reception from Shawn Cherry, giving SBU a 28-27 lead.
 
From here the game got interesting as it would go back-and-forth with both teams attempting to capitalize on 2-point conversions. Towards the end of the third quarter, S&T would regain the lead after a nine play TD. Their attempt to make a seven-point game was thwarted by the SBU defense. This lead didn't last long as Saunders threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game, this time to Emrie Neal putting the Bearcats up 34-33. Their 2-point conversion attempt was held at bay by the Miner defense. 
 
S&T responded with another touchdown in a quick five play possession. Their 2-point conversion was again stopped by the SBU defense. After two stops by the Miners and one stop by the Bearcats, S&T had the ball and was driving down the field. With a 4th & 2 at the SBU 34-yard line, the Miners tried to ice the game but instead fumbled the ball in the back field. This was picked up by Bearcat defenseman Finn Smith who ran it all the way back to the endzone for a 40-39 SBU lead with 3:10 remaining in the game. 
 
Quickly into the final drive of the game S&T drove down the field and was in SBU's territory within two plays. Three plays later the Bearcat defense forced the Miners to a 4th and 4 on the 40-yard line, just out of field goal range. With the game on the line the S&T offense powered through for a 20-yard gain. This would lead to a game winning field just a few plays later ending the game.
 
Though Saunders had an impressive game with 287 passing yards and four passing touchdowns, it was the Bearcat running that shined through. Five different carries led the Bearcats to 172 total rushing yards, with Jobe Smith leading the way with 75 yards. Jeremiah Horn had one big run making him average 18.3 yards per rush. Senior Kamau Ransom added on to his incredible season with touchdowns six and seven on the game. He tagged along 108 yards off his five receptions.
 
Defensively junior Ricky Woodhouse had himself a monster game recording 19 total tackles for a career high. That helped him to three tackles for loss for a total of seven lost yards. Will Funderburk tagged along 14 total tackles with two QB hits. Caleb Saner added seven total tackles with three tackles for loss for a total of 29 lost yards and one force fumble. 
 
SBU football will hit the road next week as they travel to Jefferson City, Missouri. They will take on Lincoln University at 12pm.