It was not the start the Wildcats wanted as SXU's Wes Gastel returned the opening kickoff 56 yards to the Bethel 34. Five plays later the Cougars' Donnie Selby dove in for a one yard touchdown giving SXU a 7-0 lead just 1:12 into the game. Bethel's second play from scrimmage was a completed pass from Cory Milikan that Byron Boyd fumbled giving SXU the ball on the Wildcats 31 yard line. Bethel's defense stiffened as SXU missed a 28 yard field goal. After Bethel found themselves pinned deep, punter Luke Roth kicked out of his own endzone giving SXU good field position. The Cougars executed six plays and scored on a Tom Lynch 39 yard field goal for a 10-0 lead.

As the second quarter began, Bethel was forced to punt from their 37-yard line. The Cougars got a good rush and blocked the kick getting the ball on the Wildcats 12 yard line. The defense did a good job limiting SXU to Lynch's 29 yard field goal. Trailing 13-0 with 11:10 remaining in the half, Bethel put together their first drive of the evening. The ‘Cats drove to the Cougars eight yard line, but could not convert a fourth-and-one. Bethel's Dominique Davis picked off SXU's Anthony Kropp on the Cougars very first offensive play giving the Wildcats the ball on SXU's 36 yard line. Bethel ran eight plays but facing fourth-and-one from the one yard line, Milikan's pass fell incomplete. SXU's Kropp was picked off again by Chris Hatch at the Cougars 48 yard line. Facing forth and two, Bethel faked a field goal with BJ Banks and lost five yards on the play.

Bethel's first possession of the second half was stopped as Roth was forced to punt. Roth's kick hit SXU's Jeremy Rhodes and Bethel was able to recover at the Cougars' 14 yard line. The ‘Cats offense was unable to move the ball and Sean Fraser's field goal attempt from 37 yards missed wide left. The Cougars followed putting together an 80 yard, 17 play scoring drive that used 7:02 of the clock for a 20-0 lead.

The Cougars had possession in the fourth quarter with first and ten from the Bethel 42 as the Wildcats' Dominique Macon forced a fumble by Kropp that resulted in a BU turnover. The offense was not able to take momentum forcing a Roth punt that was blocked by the Cougars' Nick Pecho who scooped up the ball and went ten yards for the score and SXU held a 26-0 advantage. After Bethel's ensuing possession ended after six plays, the Wildcats' Chris Sipes recovered a fumble on the first play by SXU back-up quarterback Joe Rizzi at the Cougars 23 yard line. Four runs by Michael Nwokoji and a pass by Milikan to Jahron Reynolds set up fourth and goal at the four. Milikan rolled and completed a touchdown to LV Jeffries. It was the first collegiate touchdown for both. Fraser booted the extra point and Bethel was on the board but trailed 26-7 with 6:37 remaining. The Bethel defense was not finished as Jonathan Hathaway recovered another SXU fumble. The Wildcats took over at the Cougar 25 yard line and went five plays for their second touchdown. On second and three from the eight, Milikan called his own number and ran eight yards for the score. Fraser's extra point was block and Bethel cut the lead in half 26-13 with 3:09 left. The ‘Cats attempted an unsuccessful on-sides kick and SXU worked to run down the clock. The defense held again and turned the ball over to the offense with 1:57 left. With time winding down, Milikan forced a deep ball that was intercepted to seal the win for the Cougars.

The defense led the way slowing down a prolific offense. The Cougars ranked 10th in the NAIA in offense (438.9/ypg) and 11th in passing (281.5/ypg) last season. Bethel limited SXU to 275 total yards, 163 yards fewer than their average. The Cougars also averaged 32.2 point per game last season, 20^th in the NAIA, so the defense allowed 6.2 points fewer than SXU averaged. Antonio Wardlow led the way with 8 tackles, including three for losses of 12 yards. BJ Banks also posted eight tackles. Hathaway had three tackles with one fumble recovery. Philip Collier had three tackles and an interception. Sipes posted two tackles and a fumble recovery. Hatch and Davis each had an interception.

Last season the Cougars were stingy against the run, allowing only 75.8/yards per game, fifth in the NAIA. Bethel used six different runners to rushing for 121 on the night. Josh Boyd had 61 yards on 14 carries; DeMario Carter had 31 yards on 9 carries; Cordarius Mann added 12 yards on 5 totes; Nwokoji had 5 carries for 11 yards.

Milikan was 17 of 33 passing for 83 yards, a touchdown and a late interception. LV Jefferies had six catches for 39 yards; Reynolds had four grabs for 14 yards; Justin Rogers three catches for 19 yards.