LIBERTY, Mo. — The Southwest Baptist University football team had a dominating performance at William Jewell on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Cardinals 51-28. With the win SBU improves to 6-1 (4-1 GLVC) on the season.
The Bearcats started the scoring early, taking a 7-0 lead on the first possession of the game. TJ Edwards opened the drive up with pass completions of 10, 29, and 17 yards before Bubba Jenkins recorded a 15-yard touchdown run to give the Bearcats the early lead. William Jewell responded in their opening drive, taking the ball down to the SBU 3-yardline before Quinlan Gaines picked off WJC quarterback Brad Strauss in the endzone to preserve the 7-0 advantage.
After SBU was forced to punt, William Jewell drove down the field and used a 28-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7. The Bearcats wasted no time responding, with a 76-yard touchdown run from Jenkins on the second play of the drive gave SBU a 14-7 lead. The Cardinals were driving as the first quarter expired with SBU leading 14-7.
A short completion by WJC opened up the second quarter before a 27-yard field goal attempt by WJC was blocked by D’Angelo Tucker to once again stall the Cardinal offense. After a pair of punt, the SBU offense once again found the endzone with 7:32 remaining in the half. After a short 15 yard punt from the Cardinals gave the Bearcats excellent field position, Edwards used a 31-yard touchdown run to give the Bearcats a 21-7 lead. The defense buckled down, and a first down sack from Via Manuma and George Sanders would eventually force a three-and-out. Edwards then went through the air on another short field for SBU, hitting Kendrick Payne with a 19-yard pass followed by a 26-yard strike to Scottie Wilson before Jenkins took it in from 9-yards out to extend the lead to 28-7. The SBU defense forced another punt, and a 28-yard field goal from Connor LeClair gave SBU a 31-7 halftime lead.
Coming out in the second half the SBU defense again received a first down sack, this one from Mason Yelton, which would force another three-and-out. Edwards then hit Payne with a big 50-yard reception, followed by an 8-yard touchdown pass to Cassian Foreman as SBU took a commanding 37-7 lead. Jewell would respond with a rushing touchdown on their next possession, recovered an onside kick, and scored on another rushing touchdown as SBU’s lead was cut to 37-21.
However, later in the quarter the Bearcats once again found the endzone. Edwards connected with three different receivers before Cory Hanger’s 18-yard touchdown run with 17 seconds left in the quarter gave SBU a 44-21 lead.
In the Bearcats opening drive of the fourth quarter Edwards hit Wilson for 16 yards, Foreman for 22 yards, and found Matt Lechuga with a 15-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 51-21. Jewell would get one touchdown back in the final minute of play, but the Bearcats would cruise to the 51-28 victory.
TJ Edwards and Bubba Jenkins continued their excellent seasons, as Edwards threw for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also adding a rushing touchdown, and Jenkins had 181 yards on the ground with 3 touchdowns. Through the air Scottie Wilson had a team high 8 receptions for 124 yards, while Kendrick Payne had 4 grabs for 96 yards. Defensively Via Manuma continues to shine, collecting 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for a loss, while the SBU defense picked up 7 total sacks in the victory.
SBU will continue their road trip on Saturday, October 22 when they travel to Saint Joesph’s. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. from Rensselaer, Indiana.
