BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats will open their 2008 football season on the road, by taking on the Redhawks of Southeast Missouri in Cape Girardeau. In addition to being the season opener, this first game opens a three-game stretch in which the ‘Cats play opponents from last season’s schedule. But in games #4 through #11 this season, the Bearcats’ new independent schedule has given them many new opponents.

Thursday’s opponent, Southeast Missouri, return 18 starters and a 3-8 record to open the 2008 campaign. They were 1-7 last season in the Ohio Valley conference in Tony Samuel’s 2nd season as head coach. After playing SBU in Thursday’s opener, SEMO will head to Columbia to face Mizzou on September 8.

"When we played them last year, we found them to be a very physical team," said SBU’s head coach, Keith Allen. "And it looks as if this recruiting class has made them better. They have a very athletic quarterback, who can make things happen. And their running back is very strong. We’ve prepared for a battle."

Last season, SEMO defeated SBU, 38-17, in Cape Girardeau. For two and a half quarters, it looked as if the SBU Bearcats were on their way to a major upset. SBU led at that point 14 – 7. But the SEMO Redhawks used their depth and size and stormed back to a 38–17 victory.

"We got out in front of them last season by containing their running game," reflected Allen. "We had the lead well into the third quarter. But they did a good job of staying with their running attack, and began to stretch out their runs for some big gains. They outscored us 18-3 in the fourth quarter."

The Bearcats open 2008 without their NCAA record-setting WR, Nick Smart, but still have given their QB, Steve Gachette, many capable targets in Sean Kelley, Jonathan Alvarado, John Austin, and Reuben Hartzler. The Bearcats also return last season’s leading rusher, Jeff Finnell. Linebackers Jarred Schumpert (last season’s leading tackler) and Jarod Bankhead will anchor the Bearcat defense.

"I liked the way we looked in our last scrimmage," said Allen. "I thought our kids generally looked good. We had a chance to put ourselves in specific game situations, and learn as a team. We had some penalties, but I’d rather work on those in a scrimmage than in a game that counts. Overall, I saw that our young guys are getting better. We’re improving as a team, especially in our receivers and in our secondary."

Game Notes Here