Cats Pull Away for 200th victory in Program history with Win over Roosevelt University
MCKENZIE, Tenn. -For much of the first half the No. 12 Bethel Wildcats struggled on offense against the visiting Lakers of (RV) Roosvelt University.
The only score late in the half had come at the 4:06 mark of the first period when Joaquin Collazo III hit J. D. Dixon on a 30-yard touchdown pass. The extra point failed, and the Cats led 6-0.
What had not struggled was Bethel's defense. The Cats held RU to just 38 total yards on offense in the half, but it was the last play of the half that proved to be huge in the eventual outcome.
A field goal attempt by the Lakers was blocked by Demetrice Gilbert. Cortez Eatmon scooped the ball up and went 98 yards for a Wildcat touchdown as time expired. Andrew Welch nailed the point after to give Bethel a 13-0 lead at the break. The scoop and score on a blocked punt is the longest in program history.
The Lakers scored their only points of the games at the 7:1 9 mark of the third quarter when Quarterback Carson Budke found Keonta Nixon for a 19-yard touchdown pass.
After the score, the Wildcats begin to click on offense. Welch hit a 21-yard field goal. Collazo teamed up with Avont Burrus for a 64-yard touchdown pass and the Wildcats held a 23-7 lead after three.
The fourth quarter was all Bethel. Collazo had a one-yard touchdown run. He later passed to Dixon for another score. Mitchell Faulkner capped off the scoring with a 13-yard run. The Wildcats won 44-7 to up their record to 6-1 while Roosevelt dropped to 4-3. It was the first meeting ever between the two programs and was the 200th victory in program history.
The Wildcat defense held the Lakers to just 97 yards in total offense. The Wildcats rushed for just 76 yards but had 406 passing yards. Collazo was 23-of-35 with 367 yards. Burrus caught eight passes for 141 yards. Dixon had seven receptions for 150 yards.
Javonte Carter, Gilbert and Darrien Lewis had interceptions. Lewis also had a fumble recovery. Carter led the Cats with six tackles while Lewis followed with five total stops.
Coach Michael Jasper said, "Our defense did their job all day and that proved to be big, especially when we were struggling on offense somewhat in the first half. Collazo had a super second half and our receivers rose to the challenge and came up with some huge receptions. The Eatmon play was huge to say the least." Jasper added, "We will clean some things up and get ready for a tough Cumberland University squad."
The Wildcats will host the Phoenix on Saturday at 1 p.m. It will be Homecoming for the Wildcats.