News and Events
[printer friendly version]posted on 11/1/09
Bearcats Outlast Pumas
The Saint Joseph's College football team lost their final home game of the season 28-16 to Southwest Baptist University on Saturday at Alumni Stadium. SBU rallied from a 10-7 deficit in the second half to pick up the non-conference victory.
The SJC (4-6, 3-0 GLFC) defense forced SBU (5-5) to punt on the opening drive of the game, giving Mike Hladik (So., Columbus, Ind./ Columbus) and the Puma offense possession on their own 27 yard line. With the field conditions slick due to overnight rainfall of two inches, both teams had to cope with shoddy footing. SJC drove 53 yards on 14 plays, but turned their first possession over on downs.
The Pumas held the ball for nearly ten minutes in the opening quarter, but neither team could score. SJC took an early second quarter lead as
Jashon Banks (Jr., Kankakee, Ill./Kankakee) took the opening handoff 80 yards for the games first touchdown. SBU was able to tie the game five minutes before halftime as Steven Gachette ended a 13 play drive with a 10 yard touchdown pass to Elon Paige. The SJC defense forced Gachette to switch directions in the pocket twice, but with his speed he was able to keep the play alive and find Paige for the game tying score.
The Pumas ended the half with a Drake Gadberry (Fr., Avon, Ind./Tri-West) 26 yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead into the locker room. The Bearcats, however, benefited from good field position in the second half as they scored on their opening two drives to take a 21-10 lead into the final quarter.
With just over 11 minutes in the game, the Pumas attempted to convert a fourth down with five yards to go, but Terrence Freeman (RSr., Gary, Ind./Indiana) was stopped after a one yard gain on the SJC 21 yard line giving SBU prime field position. Two plays later, Gachette found Charles Johnson for a 21 yard touchdown reception.
Michel Cochran (RSr., Ferndale, Mich./Ferndale) caught a late touchdown pass from Haldik to pull within 12 points, but the two point conversion failed. SBU ran most of the reaming seconds off the clock to seal the victory. The Bearcats totaled 364 yards of total offense while the Pumas finished with 331 yards.
Steven Gachette was 15 of 22 for 190 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Thaddeus Everson rushed for 112 yards on 17 carries while Jarred Schumpert and Tyrin Holt finished a team high nine tackles.
Mike Hladik completed 22 of his 34 passes for 194 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Jashon Banks rushed for 140 yards on 15 carries and recorded one touchdown. Michael Cochran caught nine passes for 94 yards and one touchdown. Bill Perry (Sr., Indianapolis, Ind./Roncalli) finished with a game high 12 tackles.
The Pumas will travel to Wilberforce, Ohio on Saturday as they will play for the outright Great Lakes Football Conference Title against Central State University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. EST.
