Cats Use Second Half Comeback to Beat Phoenix
MCKENZIE, Tenn. –It was a day of comebacks at Wildcat Stadium Saturday. Hundreds of alums came back for Homecoming and the Bethel football team rewarded them with a second half comeback of their own to beat Cumberland University 24-7.
Trailing 7-0 at the half, the Wildcats scored 24 unanswered points in the second half.
Cumberland took the lead late in the first quarter on a five- yard run by Treylon Sheppard. The 58-yard drive was capped off by the extra point from Jack Kanter.
Bethel got on the board at the 6:53 mark of the third quarter. Joaquin Collazo III hit Jaylen Taylor with a 22-yard touchdown pass. After an Andrew Welch point after the game was tied at seven all.
The Cats took the lead two seconds into the fourth quarter when Mitchell Faulkner finished a 69-yard drive with a two-yard run.
Collazo upped the Cat margin to 21-7 with a 23- yard touchdown pass to J.D. Dixon with 6:35 left in the game.
Welch put icing on the Homecoming Cake with less than a minute left with a 33-yard field goal to make it 24-7.
The Wildcats outgained the Phoenix 383-208 in total yards. The biggest difference was in passing yards with Bethel holding a 247-75 margin. Bethel's defense held CU to just 68 yards in total offense in the second half.
Collazo was 26-of-31 in passing for 247 yards and two touchdowns. Terrance Roberts led Bethel in rushing on 12 carries for 63 yards. Dixon caught nine passes for 85 yards. Taylor had six receptions for 64 yards. Roberts had four catches for 33 yards. Seven different Wildcats had two or more receptions in the win.
Bethel's defense was led by Xavier King with 10 total tackles. Brian Hughes followed with nine stops. Brody Franks contributed with eight total tackles. Darrien Lewis had two tackles for losses, a sack and seven tackles. Dee Hines had a big interception in the game.
Coach Mike Jasper was excited about the hard-fought win. "I'm pumped about how our guys handled adversity today! Coach Mathis and his staff had a solid game plan and played keep away a bit there, but our defense never backed down and stayed the course until the offense could capitalize on our opportunities. The fans were electric. The atmosphere was amazing! It was a blessing to see so many Wildcats come back home! Excited to enjoy this a little while and then get ready for a tough road game ahead against Faulkner."
The Wildcats moved to 7-1 and 2-1 in the MSC. CU fell to 3-4 and 1-3.
It was Bethel's third straight win in the series.
Next Week:
The Wildcats will be on the road at Faulkner. Kick-off from Montgomery is slated for 1:30 p.m.
Watch for a preview of the game later at www.bethelathletics.com