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Last Updated: Sep 3rd, 2009 - 00:42:48 |
Box score
WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- The SBU Bearcats battled hard but came up short, falling to the #25 Central Missouri Mules 39-28. SBU battled back from an early 13-0 deficit and led at halftime 21-20. The 'Cats pushed the lead to eight points in third quarter before the Mules (1-0) would respond with 19 unanswered second half points.
"I was proud of our effort," said SBU head coach Keith Allen. "UCM came to play. We missed on some execution plays and had some untimely discipline penalties. Again we had a lead in the fourth quarter, but we had some miscommunication, dropped passes, and a fumble. But we fought the entire game. We could have mailed it in after being down 13-0, but we battled back and made some big plays."
After SBU (0-1) was forced to punt on their first possession, it took just one play for the Mules open the scoring on a 70-yard screen pass to Anthony Stewart. The extra point was blocked. Following a short possession from the Bearcats, Central would drive to the SBU 25-yard line where they faced a 4th and 8. UCM quarterback Eric Czerniewski found tight end DeMarco Cosby and Cosby made the score 13-0. SBU nearly got on the board on their next drive, but Brock Jolly's field goal 38-yard attempt hit the upright. The teams traded possessions for the rest of the quarter until late in the first frame. SBU sophomore running back Thad Everson raced 51 yards down the sideline to put the 'Cats on the board at 13-7.
Midway through the second quarter, SBU would take the lead, 14-13, on an impressive cutback 30-yard run by freshman Justin Duhaney. UCM's Bobby Guillory would return the kickoff to the UCM 44-yard line, from which the Mules would drive down and score on a one-yard Czerniewski run with 2:35 remaining in the first half. But the up tempo Bearcats would come right back. Johnnie King's first catch of the day was a big one, a 56-yard scoring strike from Steve Gachette with 90 seconds to go in the half. SBU would go to the locker rooms up 21-20.
SBU would extend their lead eight points, eight minutes into the third quarter. A pass intended for John Austin was tipped and ended up in the hands of SBU tight end Jameson Manuma, who rumbled into the endzone. Jolly's extra point gave SBU a 28-20 lead. The Mules would answer back with a 67-yard drive, capped by a 30-yard pass from Czerniewski to Tywon Hubbard. Their two-point try was no good which put the SBU lead at two points.
An SBU fumble on their next drive gave the ball back to UCM, which the Mules would convert into a early fourth quarter score on a five-yard TD pass to Cosby. Another two-point try was no good and Central led 32-38. SBU's next drive got them to midfield, but fake punt attempt failed, giving UCM back the ball with 8:15 remaining. The Mules would chew up clock and move the ball into the endzone with 2:14 left on a one-yard run by Stewart, making the final 39-28.
SBU's Gachette was 23 of 48 for 339 yards passing and two touchdown passes. He also became the school's all-time career leader in attempts, surpassing Chris Lowe. Duhaney had 11 carries for 82 yards and one score. Everson added 60 yards and one touchdown. Austin caught seven passes for 92 yards while Manuma had four grabs for 88 yards. Shawn Kilduff led the 'Cats with 11 total tackles including six solos.
UCM's Czerniewski was 29 of 41 for 354 yards passing, while Stewart had 70 yards rushing and 105 receiving. UCM's Cosby caught seven passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns. The teams combined for 973 yards in total offense. UCM controlled the clock, with 41:28 in time of possession.
SBU returns home next Thursday night, when they host #2 Northwest Missouri State in a 6:00 p.m. kickoff.
© Copyright 2007-2009 Southwest Baptist University
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