MCKENZIE, Tenn. (10.31.09) - It was a Halloween night full of treats for the Bethel Wildcats in their 47-17 win over the Knights of Kentucky Christian University. Bethel converted points on all three turnovers and started the game with a kickoff return for a touchdown.
It was a fast start for the Wildcats as DeMario Carter received the opening kickoff and returned it 85 yards for a BU touchdown. Sean Fraser booted the PAT and Bethel was up 7-0 with just 6 seconds off the clock. After a defensive stop, Bethel drove 59 yards on nine plays ending in a Fraser 30 yard field goal. Bethel's defense caused the first turnover of the night and after three Wildcats couldn't get a handle on the ball, BU's Jarvis Allen recovered in the endzone for a touchdown and Bethel led 17-0 just 6:15 into the contest; the Bethel defense ranks No. 8 in the nation in turnover margin. But, the Knights came back with an eight play drive resulting in a touchdown to cut the lead to 17-7. On KCU's next possession the defense was opportunistic again as Chancy DePriest picked off Beau Daily's pass and returned to the Knight's 7-yard line. Bethel wasn't able to punch it in, but Fraser come on to kick se second FG of the night from 27-yards out, giving Bethel a 20-7 lead.
It was more of the same in the second quarter as Fraser kicked his third FG of the game from 36-yards out with 11:05 remaining in the half. Dominique Davis got Bethel's third turnover with an interception that he almost returned for a touchdown before being tripped up at the 1-yard line. Quarterback Troy Watson finished it off with a two yard pass to tight end Michael Thrasher; Fraser booted the PAT and Bethel led 30-7. Bethel would tack on another FG by Fraser from 42 yards out to close out the first half scoring, 33-7.
Bethel cashed in on their first possession of the second half needing five plays to cover 88 yards. On Third and 13 from the KCU 36, Watson completed a pass to John Graham for a 36-yard aerial and Bethel was dominating 40-7. The Knights were able to kick a field goal to make the score 40-10 with 1:10 left in the third. As time was running out in the third quarter, running back Cordarius Mann took the pitch and motored 32-yards for a touchdown giving Bethel a 47-10 lead going into the fourth.
Kentucky Christian would score once more late as the game closed.
Defensively, the Wildcats were led by BJ Banks with eight stops, 2.5 for losses. James Barham had seven tackles with one for a loss and a sack. Sam Cage also had seven tackles. DePriest had six tackles, one for loss and an interception. Greg Hines and Byron Calahan each added six stops.
Offensively, Josh Boyd had 120 yards on 10 carries and needs only 44 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. Mann had 78 yards on six carries and a touchdown. Carter had 40 yards on four carries. Watson was 10 of 22 for 163 yards and two TDs. Graham had three catches for 84 yards and a score. Byron Boyd had one catch for 31 yards. Thrasher had one grab for two yards and a touchdown.
On Special Teams, Fraser was 5 for 5 on PATs and 4 for 4 of FGs (42,36,27 and 30 yards). Punter Luke Roth had two punts for 83 yards and a long of 51. Carter returned three kickoffs of 156 yards, including an 85 return for a score.
The Wildcats are 3-6 (2-2) on the season. They will play their home finale this coming Saturday, November 7, 2009 against the Eagles of Faulkner University. The night will also be a celebration of the seniors playing in their final home game. The Wildcat football team will also be teaming up with the Exchange Club - Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse for a canned food drive. The team is asking fans to bring canned food items with you to the game and deposit them in the boxes that will be located at the entrance of Wildcat Stadium. All donations received next week will go toward helping families working with abused children in Carroll County.