Cats Win Fourth in a Row with win over Thomas University
MCKENZIE, Tenn. - The No. 6 Bethel Wildcats scored a season low 48 points Saturday but still won comfortably beating visiting Thomas University 48-14. Bethel entered the game as the nation's highest scoring team in the nation at 63.0 points per outing.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 17- 0 lead. Joaquin Collazo III and J. D. Dixon teamed up for a 37 -yard pass to give the Cats a 7-0 lead on the first play from scrimmage. Demetrice Gilbert returned a punt for 59 yards for a score and Bethel lead 14-0 lead after Andrew Welch's point after. Welch hit a field goal upping the Bethel margin to 17-0.
Those scores would be a precursor to what would follow. Collazo would throw four more touchdowns in the game. Dixon would catch two more giving him three on the day. Jaylen Taylor caught a pass for a score as well. Martize Smith had a rushing touchdown. Smith led the Wildcats with 64 rushing yards.
Collazo was 17-of- 21 in passing for 231 yards. The senior is 44-of-54 in the air in the last two games.
Bethel rushed for 235 yards and passed for 270 and finished with 505 total yards. The Cat defense held TU to 110 yards on the ground and 93 in the air.
Bethel's defense was led by Jerwin Young, Jamel Goulbourne and Brody Franks who had five tackles each. Javonte Carter, Tim Hamilton, and Christian Cantrell had four total stops each. Franks, Goulbourne, Young, Hamilton and Cantrell had sacks in the win. Ten Wildcats had tackles for losses in the game.
All stats remain under review.
Coach Michael Jasper felt his team did not play up to their potential but felt his team did what they had to do to win. "I have a ton of respect for Coach Mitjans and the entire Thomas program. That team is tough, disciplined, and well coached. I cannot say enough great things about their program and where they will be soon. We were inconsistent at times and didn't execute at the level I would like, but it's hard to win college football games. In the end, we found a way to get it done. I'm proud of my staff and these kids and look forward to getting to Mid-South Conference play."
Bethel moved to 4-0 while the Night Hawks dropped to 0-2.
The victory was the 198th in program history.
It was Bethel's 16th straight regular season win.
It was Military Appreciation Day at Wildcat Stadium.
Next Week:
The Cats hit the road traveling to Williamsburg, Kentucky to meet the Patriots of the University of the Cumberlands. It will mark the MSC opener for the Wildcats. Kick-off is slated for 6 p.m. CT.
Game Coverage:
Live video
https://cumberlandspatriots.com/watch/?Live=725&type=Live
Live stats:
https://cumberlandspatriots.com/sidearmstats/football/summary