Well it sure wasn’t pretty as the #4 Bethel Wildcats finished the regular season with a 34-21 victory over winless Campbellsville University. The Tigers led the game 21-14 with 8:53 left in the third quarter before Bethel put the game away on three consecutive touchdowns by Adrain Smith. With the win, Bethel remained undefeated in NAIA play.

The Wildcats got off to a quick start as they took over after a defensive hold on their own five yard line. Bethel would need 13 plays and 6:16 to navigate the 95 yards with Antonio Brown, Sr. carrying it in from the 11 yard line. The Bethel defense put a stop to the next Tiger possession as local product Chancey DePreiest from West Carroll High intercepted a pass and returned it 18 yards to the Cumberland 30. Seven plays later Smith found the end zone from the one. Bethel led 14-0 as the first quarter ended.

Then, the Tigers turned it over to their star running back Greg Fountain. Fountain carried the ball seven times on a ten play drive, scoring from the two cutting the lead in half. Bethel’s next possession ended in a failed field goal attempt. Two plays later and Fountain broke through for a 74 yard touchdown run. The PAT failed and Bethel led by one 14-13. The teams would exchange possessions one more time before halftime.

Bethel received the second half kickoff but was unable to get a consistent drive going. The Tigers, facing third and two from their own 16 yard line gave it to Fountain who did the rest on an 84 yard score. They elected to go for two and took the lead 21-14. Then Wildcats were facing fourth and one from the Tiger eight and Adrain Smith powered in for the score to tie the game at 21-21. The Bethel defense held forcing a punt that was shanked to give the Wildcats a short field at the Tiger 47. Terrance Bell pounded it to the one but fumbled into the endzone and Campbellsville recovered. The Tigers were on the move as they got to their 41 yard line as the third frame ended.

The Wildcat defense again rose to the occasion shutting down Fountain on a third and one. Bethel’s drive stalled and Matt Wininger attempted a 47 yard filed goal that went just wide right. The Tigers tried a screen pass to Fountain that Brennen Bishop absolutely blew up for a four yard loss. Campbellsville was forced to punt and Adrain Smith finished off an 11 play drive from the five yard line and Bethel led 28-21. Brenton Ford came up with a huge sack on the ensuing Tiger possession forcing Campbellsville to go for it on fourth and 20 from its own 10 yard line and failed on an incomplete pass. Adrain Smith did the honors scoring from the five. The PAT failed but Bethel pulled out the 34-21 win.

Offensively, Adrain Smith carried 30 times for 178 yards and four touchdowns. Terrance Bell had 82 yards on 19 carries. Antonio Brown ran for 74 yards on 13 carries and a score. Chad Lamping was 8 of 13 and 129 yards in the air. Buck Reed led the receivers with two catches for 36 yards. Joevaris Carter had 2 grabs for 15 yards.

Defensively, James Barham led the way with eight tackles and two passes defended. Chancey DePreist had six tackles and an interception. Cliff Barna also had six tackles. Wade Vandergriff and BJ Banks each had five tackles.

The Wildcats ended the regular season with a record of 10-1, the best record since football was reinstated in 1993. They will be hosting a First Round NAIA Championship Series game on November 17, 2007. The Wildcats will be receiving word on Sunday night who their opponent will be and the time of the game.