The Bethel College Wildcats making their second consecutive playoff appearance and second in school history made a statement as they dispatched the 13th ranked Mid-America Nazarene University Pioneers of Olathe, Kan. 55-34 in the First Round of the NAIA Football Championship Series. The ‘Cats defense was able to hold the nations fourth ranked offense 137 yards below their average of 515 yards per game and the offense exploded for 607 yards on the night. Bethel only led by 10 points at the half but completely dominated the second half and won the game more convincingly than the final score showed.

Bethel set the tone early as they took the opening kickoff and marched 80 yards on 12 plays for the first score of the afternoon. Adrain Smith, who ranked #2 in the nation in scoring coming into the game, powered his way in from the nine yard line. The drive’s key play was a 19 yard pass from Ronnie Jankovich to tight end Buck Reed on third and seven from the MNU 35. Matt Wininger kicked the PAT for a 7-0 Wildcat lead. The Pioneers showed why their offense was ranked fourth in the nation as they responded with a 65 yard, 10 play drive, ending with Pat Ealy diving in from three yards out to tie the score 7-7. Bethel replied as Terrance Bell found the end zone from seven yards out; that capped off a 10 play, 80 yard drive, but the extra point was missed for a 13-7 Bethel lead.

The Pioneers drove to the Bethel 31 as the second quarter began and as MNU’s quarterback Matt Schneider threw for the end zone, Bethel’s BJ Banks picked off his first of two passes on the day ending the threat. Bethel cashed in on the turnover as Antonio Brown, Sr. took the direct snap and ran an option play right for a 12 yard score. Jankovich found Reed on a two point try and Bethel was in front 21-7. After exchanging possessions, the Pioneers were on the move and scored with 33 second left in the half. Bethel did manage to work themselves into field goal position and Wininger nailed a 37 yarder as time expired for a 24-14 halftime score.

The game got quite interesting as the second half of play opened. On the Pioneer’s second play, Ealy looked as though he was going to be tackled behind the line, but broke free, ran 69 yards for a touchdown and tightened the score 24-21 Bethel. Bethel’s following drive stalled on the MNU 12 yard line and Wininger booted a 29 yard field goal for a 27-21 ‘Cat lead. Bethel struck quick on its next possession as Jankovich hit Joevaris Carter in stride for a 52 yard touchdown. After the PAT by Wininger, Bethel led 34-21. The Bethel defense held again and the offense went back to work. First and ten on the MNU 17 and Jankovich found freshman tight end Banarvon Taylor for the score and a 41-21 lead. Banks intercepted his second pass of the game on the Pioneer’s first play as the third quarter came to an end.

As Bethel faced third and nine from the MNU 24, Jankovich hit Brown Sr. for the score. After the PAT, Bethel led 48-21. Bethel’s defense was up to the task again and as MNU tried to punt, a Bethel player leapt into the air and was pushed into the kicker by a MNU player. A personal foul roughing the kicker was called that resulted in an automatic first down extending the Pioneer’s drive. One the next play, Schneider threw his third interception of the game as Brennen Bishop steeped in front. But Bishop turned the ball right back over as he tried to get a return going and fumbled. The Pioneers scored four plays later for a 48-28 score. Jankovich made his only mistake of the day as he was intercepted in the end zone ending another Wildcat threat at the MNU 17. The Bethel defense rose to the occasion again as the Pioneers were forced to go for it on fourth and 10. Brenton Ford put an end to the Pioneers possession sacking Schneider for a 12 yard loss. Bell would only need to play to cover the remaining eight yards and Bethel was comfortably ahead 55-28. MNU got one more crack at it. With no time remaining on the clock Schneider threw into the end zone where two Wildcats and a Pioneer tried to make a play on the ball. Bethel was called for pass interference giving MNU one more play with no time on the clock from the Bethel 2 yard line. Schneider called his own number for the final score 55-34.

Offensively, it was Jankovich’s night as he went 16 of 19 for 297 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also ran six times for 39 yards. For his efforts, he was named the Offensive Player of the Game. Bell had 124 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns. Smith had 108 yards on 21 carries and a score. Brown, Sr. had 28 yards on five carries and one score; in the receiving end, Brown, Sr. had 67 yards on four catches and 67 yards. Julian Tyler caught three for 71 yards. Reed had three catches for 67 yards; Joevaris Carter 67 yards on two grabs and Taylor one catch for 17 yards and a TD.

Defensively, Bishop had 10 tackles and an interception. Brenton Ford had 9 tackles, with one and a half sacks and two tackles for loss. Chancey DePreist had 6 tackles. Cliff Barna and BJ Banks each had four stops. Banks also had two interceptions and was named the Defensive Player of the Game.

The Wildcats are 11-1, the best record since football was reinstated in 1993. They will be hosting a Second Round NAIA Championship Series game on November 24, 2007. The Wildcats will be receiving word on Sunday night who their opponent will be and the time of the game.