In the first of two meetings during the 2017 season, the Southwest Baptist University Bearcats knocked off Truman State 21-17 on Saturday afternoon in Kirksville. The win marks the first program win at Truman State in the history of the program, and the first win over TSU since 2005. The Bearcats now stand at 3-3 (2-2 GLVC) on the season.
Tyler Curts led the way defensively for the Bearcats with a game high 14 tackles, while Brycen Gagnon added 12 tackles and Julian Shade added another 11 in the victory. Offensively TJ Edwards threw for 189 yards and a pair of scores, while adding 79 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Jereminic Smith was his top target on the afternoon, hauling in 6 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown while Larry Nixon added a season high 90 rushing yards on the afternoon.
The game was a defensive battle with high winds playing a factor in game plan and strategy. In the first quarter the SBU defense forced two three-and-outs before a Taylor Jones-Morgan interception ended a TSU threat in SBU territory as the two teams entered the second quarter tied 0-0. With the wind to the back of the Bearcats, SBU drove down the to the Truman 2-yardline but a defensive stand by the Bulldogs kept SBU off the scoreboard. Truman then drove down the field, but a 43-yard field goal came up short giving the Bearcats the ball as they went to work.
On second and five from the SBU 31-yardline, Larry Nixon broke free for a 37-yard gain, his longest rush of the season, to move the ball into Truman territory. After an incomplete pass, TJ Edwards rushed for 17 yards, setting up an 11-yard touchdown pass from Edwards to Kendrick Payne to give SBU a 7-0 lead. Truman answered on the following drive, tying the game at 7-7 on Jaden Barr 1-yard rushing touchdown, as the two teams went in the half tied 7-7.
Truman picked up 10 points with their first two possessions of the second half, as the Bearcats trailed 17-7. With the wind to Truman’s backs, the Bulldogs started a drive on the SBU 45-yardline midway through the third quarter. After advancing the ball to the SBU 30-yardline, a big third down sack from Julian Shade and De’shawn Tone knocked the Bulldogs out of field goal range, which gave the Bearcats the ball.
The Bearcats began the drive with back-to-back eight yard rushes from Edwards and Michael Branch, followed by a 15-yard rush from Nixon. After an SBU penalty, Edwards ripped off a 10-yard run, followed by a 15-yard reception from Edwards to Chris Robb to advance the ball into TSU territory. After switching ends of the field following the start of the fourth quarter, Edwards hit Jerminic Smith with back-to-back passes of 14 and 16 yards to advance the ball to the Truman 1-yardline. Edwards then punched in a 1-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 17-14.
The SBU defense made a strong statement in the following drive, forcing a three-and-out and giving the ball back to the offense. Edwards hit Payne with back-to-back receptions of 12 and 6 yards to kick off the drive that began on the SBU 46-yardline. After a Truman penalty, and a pair of short rushes, Edwards hit Smith with a 22-yard touchdown pass to give the Bearcats the lead again at 21-17. The defense again forced another Truman three-and-out, but a missed 47-yard field goal gave the Bulldogs one last chance. Truman advanced the ball inside the SBU 10-yardline, but the defense stood strong. On fourth-and-goal from the SBU 7, Mygeish Dennis knocked down the pass forcing a turnover on downs and securing the SBU victory.
The Bearcats will return home on Saturday, October 14 when they host William Jewell. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. from Plaster Stadium in Bolivar.
