Bearcats Win Over Western New Mexico

Bolivar, MO. ... Trying to gain an edge from the beginning of the game, the Southwest Baptist University Bearcats (1-1) scored on their first three possessions to take a commanding 21-0 lead as they went on for a 31-14 win over Western New Mexico University (1-1). The win at Plaster Stadium was their first since November 16, 2002, when they defeated Washburn.

Robert Clardy rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another as he was 14-25 passing for 151 yards. Marco Kirven gained 129 yards on 21 carries, his 11 th 100-yard career rushing game, while fellow teammate Deon Boykin picked up 100-yards on 16 carries. Nick Smart led the receivers with seven catches for 87 yards. For the second game in a row, the SBU offense put up over 400 yards of total offense as they rushed for 289 yards and threw for 151 yards.

On WNWU's first possession, SBU forced the Mustangs to three-and-out as the Bearcats took over the ball on their own 46-yard line. Two plays later, Kirven broke free for a 42-yard touchdown run.

WNMU moved the ball to midfield on the next series but could not go any farther against a tough Bearcat defense. The Bearcats once again put together a solid drive that started at SBU 17-yard line. Six plays later, Clardy faked a handoff to Boykin and took off the opposite way for a 56-yard touchdown run.

SBU's defense stopped the Mustangs quickly as Donald Williams picked off Marques Reischel's pass at the WNMU 24-yard line and returned to the WNMU one-yard line. After a false start penalty, Clardy zipped in from six-yards out to make it 21-0.

After two quarters of moving the ball back and forth between each other, WNMU cut the lead to 14, 21-7, with 10:36 left in the game when quarterback Tate Gunning connected with Jason Allison on a 51-yard pass. Four minutes later, SBU's Ryan Smith nailed his second field goal of season from 28-yards.

SBU's defense held tough again as they forced the Mustangs to punt after three plays. A 32-yard punt return by Dimetric Lyons put the Bearcats back in scoring territory as they started the series from the WNMU 27-yard line. After two Kirven rushes, Clardy lofted a pass to Smart from 13-yards out to complete the scoring, 31-7, for the Bearcats. With that reception, Smart scored his first collegiate touchdown.

WNMU only long drive came on their final possession as they went 77-yards in 10-plays. Stephon King punched in a one-yard touchdown run to give the Mustangs 14 points.

In one of their best performances of the year, the Bearcat defense had three interceptions, forced four fumbles while recovering two, had 10 pass breakups, and two sacks. Ulexis Williams had seven solo tackles to lead the Bearcats.

SBU will be back in action on Saturday, September 11, when they open MIAA play against Missouri Western at 6 p.m.