The Bethel Wildcats (0-1) hit the road for the first time in the 2010 season as they travel to University -Wisconsin Eau Claire to battle the Blugolds. UW-Eau Claire (0-0) beat the Cats last year 21-7 in the second ever meeting between the two programs. The game was played at Carson Park (6500) in Eau Claire.

Last Season

The Cats finished 5-6 last year, but won five of their last seven games. The two losses were by a combined four points. The youth of last year's squad was a factor in the slow start. This year Bethel has 16 returning starters (nine on offense, seven on defense). The Wildcats were 3-2 at home last year and 2-4 on the road.

The Blugolds finished 6-4 last year. They were 3-1 at home and 3-3 on the road. UW-Eau Claire won their last three games of the season and four of their last five contest. They are a NCAA Division III school, and compete in the always tough Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The Blugolds return 13 starters (six on offense, seven on defense).

In the 21-7 loss last year, the Cats fell behind 14-0 at the end of the first quarter. Bethel cut the lead to 14-7 at the half with a 73 yard, 17 play drive capped off with an Alex Matlock's 1-yard touchdown run with just over a minute left in the half. After a scoreless third quarter, UW-Eau Claire scored a touchdown in the final frame to win 21-7. Bethel was held to just 176 yards on offense. The Blugolds finished with 358 total yards on offense. All of the UW-Eau Claire's scores came as results of senior quarterback Kyle Paulson's TD throws to three different receivers.  UWEC leads the series 2-0.    

Coaches

Coach Dino Kaklis enters his ninth season as head coach. He is 47-40 entering tonight's contest. He is a graduate of Purdue University. Shaun Gaines returns as offensive coordinator. Chris Elliott is Assistant Head Coach and coaches outside linebackers. Willie Tillman returns to Bethel after coaching in Florida. He is Assistant Head Coach and defensive coordinator. Darien Bell and Antonio Brown will be in charge of receivers. Willie Fells will coach inside linebackers. Chancy DePriest and Brock Willis will coach defensive backs. Alan Hollowell will school running backs while Cliff Barna will be coaching the defensive line. Paul Frazier will serve as Video Coordinator.

Coach Todd Glaser is in his fifth season as head coach at UWEC. He enters the season with a 24-18 record. He is 37-35 overall in seven years as a head coach. He is a graduate of UWEC.

Road Warriors

Bethel does not return home until September 25 when they host No. 7 University of the Cumberlands. Of the first six games this year only two are at home. Next week the Cats have an open date. They are on the road the following week at West Virginia Tech University.

Eight Seniors Hope to Go Out with Big Season

John Graham, Josh Boyd, Steve Small, Alex Hayes, Wade Vandergriff, Chris Sipes, Marshall Varnum, and Michael Jasper look to lead the Wildcats back to national prominence.

Boyd finished with 1185 yards last season. His 233 yards against Pikeville College was the third highest ever in one game for a Wildcat. John Graham finished with 16 receptions and two touchdowns. Vandergriff led the team in total tackles with 66. Hayes was fifth in total tackles. Small, Sipes, and Varnum were all key components on defense as well. Jasper, at 6'5 390 is an anchor along the offensive line.

Dedication Night

Special ceremonies were held during halftime of the home opener, which included the dedication of the Wildcat VIP Room at the Stadium. The room was dedicated in honor of former Wildcat player, supporter and legend Kermit Holland. He played for the Wildcats in the early 1930's. The Wildcats won three straight conference championships beginning in 1932. President Robert Prosser, Athletic Director Glenn Hayes and the entire Bethel University family were proud to honor this Wildcat legend.

Radio & TV

Wildcat action can be heard on The Farm, 100.9 and at www.thefarmradio.com. Pre-game action begins thirty minutes prior to kick-off each week. This week the pre-game begins at 6:30 p.m. Dave McCulley, Bill Hamilton, and Matt Swinea call the action. All home games are televised on WlJT-TV with Russell Barker and Robin Francis at mike side. The games are also replayed in Jackson on E-Plus TV 6. Thanks to Darrell Conner and his crew for all their efforts.

Did You Know

Cordarious Mann was named the Mid-South Conference Player of the Week after the rushing for 159 yards and two touchdowns against St. Xavier. He also caught two passes for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Josh Boyd's 1185 yards last season marked the fifth straight year the Wildcats have seen a running back finish with over 1,000 yards in a season.

Josh Boyd surpassed the 1500 career rushing mark last week against St. Xavier. He has 1,521.            He is third on the all-time Bethel list, behind Adrian Smith and Terrance Bell.

Former Bethel Sports Information Director Matt Swinea, along with being on the radio network is the coach of the In-Line Hockey program here at Bethel.

Former Wildcat Standouts, Sean Fraser, Luke Roth and Sean McCormick played this summer with the West Tennessee War Eagles semi-pro team.

Thirteen states are represented on the Wildcat roster this year. Ninety players on the varsity and junior varsity squads are home grown from the Volunteer state.

Homecoming this season is November 6 at Wildcat Stadium as the Cats host Kentucky Christian University. All fans and supporters are invited to attend and celebrate this special event and week-in. The Bethel University Hall- of-Fame will induct some very special inductees with details coming soon.

Did you know you can follow all of the athletic programs by visiting www.bethelathletics.com?

Bethel has two open dates on the schedule this season.

The Cats were picked third in the pre-season Mid South Conference Coaches Poll. Cumberlands was picked to win the West with Shorter picked second.

Campbellsville and Georgetown were picked as co- favorites to win the East.

The Blugolds were picked to finish fourth in the WIAC.

The Junior Varsity Cats play four games this season. Three of those games are at home. Bethel will host Cumberland University on September 13.  They host Shepherd College on September 20. After a road trip to Cumberland University on September 27, the Junior Cats close out their season October 18 against Shepherd College. All games begin at 4 p.m.

Coach Dino Kaklis served as a guest coach with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League this past summer.

Bethel had twelve All-Mid-South Conference All-Academic squad members last year. 

When viewing your Wildcat roster, the top number is the number being worn by the playing participating in the game.