The Southwest Baptist University football team picked up a big 31-28 road victory over Tarleton State on Saturday. With the win SBU improves to 2-0 on the season.
The Bearcats fell behind early in the first quarter after Tarleton State went 88 yards on the opening drive of the game to take the early 7-0 advantage. After a pair of punts, Southwest Baptist came back on the following possession to tie the game at 7-7. TJ Edwards hit Kendrick Payne with a 49 yard completion down the sideline on the first play of the drive to advance into TSU territory. Edwards running abilities were on the display for the remainder of the drive, with rushes of 8, 10, and 12 yards before another 12 yard scamper into the endzone tied the game at 7-7 with 3:42 left in the first quarter.
With 10:35 left in the half TSU connected on a 35-yard touchdown pass as the Bearcats once again trailed by 7. However, Southwest Baptist answered right back on the following drive. Edwards hit Cassian Foreman with a 38-yard touchdown pass with 8:53 left in the half to tie the game at 14-14. The Bearcat and Texan defenses would hold steady for the remainder of the half as the two teams entered the break tied 14-14.
The Bearcats opened up the second half with a 69-yard scoring drive, taking their first lead of the game. SBU attacked through the air, using an 18-yard reception by Bubba Jenkins and 21-yard reception by Foreman before Edwards found Payne with a 7-yard touchdown strike to give Southwest Baptist a 21-14 lead. The back-and-forth battle continued as TSU tied the game at 21-21 with 2:45 left in the third quarter. However, once again SBU quickly responded with Edwards found Foreman down the sideline for a 72-yard touchdown to put the Bearcats on top 28-21.
Heading into the fourth quarter both teams missed short field goals before Tarleton State tied the game at 28-28 with 2:10 remaining in the game. The Bearcats quickly went to work, and Edwards hit Foreman for 15 yards and Payne for 12 yards coupled with a TSU personal foul to advance into the red zone. Jordan LeClair then connected on a game winning 23-yard field goal with 9 seconds remaining to propel SBU to a 31-28 victory.
The Bearcat offense was once again on display in SBU’s victory. SBU accumulated 550 yards of total offense, led by quarterback Trent Edwards who threw for 360 yards with 3 touchdowns while rushing for 76 yards and 1 touchdown. On the ground Bubba Jenkins ran for a game high 115 yards, while Cassian Foreman hauled in 6 receptions for 165 yards and two scores. Via Manuma tied the SBU single game sacks record, picking up 3.0 sacks in the win, while Shaun Hutchinson recorded 11 tackles and Brycen Gagnon chipped in 10.
SBU will return to action on Saturday, September 17 when they open up GLVC by host Indianapolis. Play is set to begin at 6:00 p.m. from Plaster Stadium in Bolivar.
