SBU BEARCATS (2-2) at Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers (1-2)

September 27, 2008 • 4:30 PM • Steele Stadium • Owensboro, Ky.

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats go for their third victory in a row on Saturday, when they travel to Owensboro, Kentucky, to face the Panthers of Kentucky Wesleyan College. The game will resume a three-game series played between 2001-2003, in which SBU holds a 3-0 advantage.

THE OPPONENT: The Panthers are 1-2 on the season, with one game (against Stephen F. Austin) postponed due to Hurricane Ike. In their last contest on Saturday, Kentucky Wesleyan was defeated by North Greenville, 44-14. Despite their 321 yards of total offense, turnovers were costly for the Panthers, who gave the ball up four times (three fumbles and one interception). The victory by North Greenville was their first of the 2008 season. Kentucky was 3-8 last season, with a 1-4 record in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. They returned 16 starters to the 2008 squad. Their offensive threat is quarterback Chris Owen, who has averaged 213.7 yards per game. His favorite targets are Josh Smith (80.3 ypg), Vincent Lalonde (76.3 ypg), and David Smith (60.0 ypg). The Panthers’ leading rusher is Thomas Gordon, who has averaged 29 yards on the ground during 2008.

RECORD DAY: On Saturday’s 83-6 against Bethany, the Bearcats set records for points scored in a game (83), touchdowns in a game (12), greatest margin of victory (77 points), most total offensive yards (677), most team passing touchdowns in a game (6), most extra points in a game (11), and most passing touchdowns in a game (Gachette with all 6).

TRENDS: Through SBU’s first four games of the 2008 season, Steve Gachette has averaged 284.8 yards passing and 49.8 yards rushing. Johnnie King has been SBU’s leading receiver, with 31 catches (12.3) for 381 yards (95.2 average). Reuben Hartzler has 23 grabs for 231 yards. Jeff Finnell has gained 359 yards (89.8 average) on the ground, which includes 5 touchdowns on the season. Jarred Schumpert has 38 tackles (23 solo) on the season, followed closely by Tyrin Holt, who has 37 tackles (15 solo).

SCORING STREAK: SBU is on track to break their ‘consecutive games without being shutout’ in the last game of this season. Should the Bearcats score in all 11 games in the 2008 campaign, they will have avoided the shutout for 44 straight times against Missouri S&T on November 8, which passes the old mark of 43 set in the 10th game of the 1992 season.

COACH ALLEN ON SATURDAY’S WIN: "I was happy we got our younger players into the game so early in the 2nd half. That’s great experience for them. Looking back on that game, looking past the outcome, we’re going to revisit last Saturday and make adjustments in the areas we find, which need to be addressed. One of those areas is ball security."

COACH ALLEN ON QUARTERBACK STEVE GACHETTE: "He’s doing a great job for us this year. He’s getting better every week. Last season, we stayed with Steve as a freshman and it’s paying off in his sophomore year."

TWO IN A ROW: With Saturday’s win over Bethany College, it was the first time the Bearcats put consecutive W’s in the books since 2001, when Coach Ray Richards’ Cats had back-to-back wins against Emporia State (17-10 on October 20, 2001) and Missouri S&T (17-3 on October 27, 2001). Last streak of three wins? It was earlier in that same year when SBU defeated Qunicy (19-0 on 8-25-01), Kentucky Wesleyan (54-20 on 9-1-01), and Missouri Southern (41-39 on 9-13-01)

Game Notes