| Bethel allows two early safeties, struggles offensively in 11-6 loss |
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Posted: Tuesday, September 9, 2008 1:31 pm
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| MCKENZIE, Tenn. — For the first time since the 2004 season, Bethel begins its football season 0-2. The Wildcats’ offense sputtered for the second time this season giving up two safeties early in the contest. And although the defense only allowed seven points and 219 yards of offense, the Wildcats were unable to mount a comeback against the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire Blugolds, losing 11-6.
Bethel initially looked good on the defensive side of the ball, holding the Blugolds to a three-and-out. As would be the case for much of the night, UWEC was able to use field position to its advantage. Blugolds’ punter and running back Cory Sartorelli pinned the Wildcats at the 8-yard line for their first offensive possession. Facing third-and-seven from the 11, first time starting quarterback Dallis Dixon dropped back to pass and, as he was pressured, he scrambled back to the end zone where he was dropped for a safety. After the free kick, UWEC drove to the Bethel 9 for first-and-goal. The Wildcats’ defense stiffened forcing the Blugolds to go for it on fourth down from the 2. Wade Vandegriff and Johnathan Hathaway stuffed UWEC’s QB Kyle Paulson at the 1-yard line. Bethel got a little breathing room to the 7-yard line facing third-and-four. Lined up in shotgun formation, Dixon had trouble handling the snap cleanly, found himself in the end zone and was again dropped for a safety.
Neither team mounted any offense of significance in the first half. But on the last drive of the half, the Wildcats drove to the Blugolds 21. The Cats Sean Fraser attempted a 38-yard field goal that looked to be tipped at the line as it sailed left as time expired. With that, the Wildcats headed to the locker room with the scoreboard showing the odd 4-0 score. While Bethel was only able to mount 102 yards of offense in the first half, the Wildcat defense was up to the task allowing only 86 yards.
With just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Blugolds faced fourth-and-10 at the Bethel 33. Sartorelli was able to scamper for 18 yards to convert the fourth-down try. After no gain on the first play, Sartorelli took the handoff on the next play 15 yards for the score and an 11-0 UWEC lead.
Then the Bethel offense finally showed signs of life as the Wildcats drove 68 yards on 13 plays to score their first touchdown of the night. Running back Justin Woodard ran a sweep to the left from 9 yards out with 10:53 remaining. The Cats attempted a two-point conversion that failed, but Bethel was within striking distance 11-6. Bethel’s defense held, but the Blugolds had the ball for 11 plays and drained 6:53 off the clock before Sartorelli’s punt again pinned Bethel deep in its own territory at the 10. Two costly false start penalties forced a Wildcats punt with 2:10 left.
The Blugolds were able to convert a first down that allowed them to run the clock out.
Defensively, Dustin Finch led the way for Bethel with seven stops. Johnathan Deberry turned in a second straight solid game with six tackles. Gregory Hines and Wade Vandergriff each had five tackles.
On the offensive side of the ball, Woodard had 68 yards on 21 carries and a score. Desmond Newbold had 63 yards on eight carries. Dixon was 4-of-9 passing for 31 yards.
Bethel will take two weeks off before it plays its next home game and starts Mid-South Conference play. The road doesn’t get any easier as the Wildcats play a cross-over divisional game against the ranked the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) Patriots. Bethel hasn’t experience much luck against the Patriots recently, losing the last four. Bethel is 2-9 all-time against the Patriots. Kickoff for the Sept. 20 matchup at Wildcat Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m. |
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