Wildcats Prevail Over Crusaders

MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders met for the first time ever Saturday.

The Wildcats prevailed in a hard-fought battle that saw the Cats use a stout defensive effort, special team play along with several key offensive plays to win 20-10.

The game featured four Wildcat interceptions, and a 70-yard fumble return for a score.

Trailing 3-0 in the second quarter, Bethel's Jacious Clark scooped up a Crusader fumble and raced   down the field 70 yards for a score. The Wildcats took a 10-3 lead at the 2:57 mark of the quarter on a 26-yard field goal. The teams went to their locker with the Cats leading by that score.

The Cru tied the game in the third quarter.

The fourth stanza saw Oziel Hernandez nail a 43-yard field goal to give the Cats a 13-10 margin. With just six minutes left to play, Jordan Cason rushed   26-yards for a score and Bethel took a 20-10 lead. Cason finished with a game high 121 yards on the ground.

Bethel's ground attack proved to be a key to the victory with a 224-146 advantage.

UMHB had a 332-285 margin in total yards and a 19-13 advantage in first downs.

Jazzir Merricks, Clark, Dee Hines and Markel Crawford picked off Crusader passes. Brody Franks led the Wildcats with 13 total tackles. 

The Wildcats moved to 2-0. UMHB fell to 0-1. 

Bethel moved to 58-45 all-time in Walter Butler Stadium which opened in 2006. The Wildcats are 147-185 in overall play in the modern-day era.

Coach Michael Jasper was pleased with the win. "We are proud of the way we played today. The defense has been locked in and gave us so many opportunities. Our special teams were outstanding, and the offense was able to sustain some drives. We will continue to work and get better. I can't say enough about this program and the character they have".

The Wildcats travel to Thomas University Saturday. Kick-off in Columbus, Georgia is slated for 11 a.m. CT.

Stats:

https://tunighthawks.com/sidearmstats/ftbl/summary

Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/@thomasuniversityathletics/streams