Charles Johnson Leads the Bearcats with 3 TD's Against Arkansas Tech.

Bolivar, Mo. - The SBU Bearcats had a stellar offensive performance on Saturday night against Arkansas Tech, but came up short to the Golden Boys, losing 31-20. Charles Johnson lead the Bearcat offense with seven receptions for 107 yards and three touchdowns.

Arkansas Tech jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead before SBU was able to respond in the first quarter. With 6:34 to go in the first, SBU quarterback Justin French completed a 20 yard pass to Johnson to pull SBU within 7. Arkansas Tech would go on to score 10 more points in the half, and take a 24-7 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Bearcats brought in Dan Connors to take over the offense. Arkansas Tech struck first, taking a 31-7 lead, before SBU started battling back. Late in the third quarter, Connors threw a beautiful 23 yard pass to the back corner of the endzone to Johnson for a touchdown. The two would connect again in the fourth quarter for seven yard touchdown, but the comeback fell just short.

Connors had a great first game as a Bearcat, completing 14 of 23 passes for 166 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The Bearcats were lead in rushing by French who had 56 yards rushing, and were leading in tackling by Zach Moore and Alain Pierre who each had eight tackles.

"I apologize to the Bearcat faithful for our performance tonight," head coach Keith Allen stated after the game. "I obviously didn't do a very good job in preparing our team. I will work much harder this week in our preparation. I was happy with our teams fight and effort and the fact they didn't quit. But you aren't going to win many games when you turn the ball over five times and commit 14 penalties. We will work hard this week to rectify those issues."

The Bearcats will be back in action next Saturday, September 17, when they travel to Hays, Kansas to take on Fort Hays State. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

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Southwest Baptist University is a four-year evangelical Christian university that was established in 1878.  The main campus is located about 30 minutes north of Springfield, Missouri, in Bolivar, a town of approximately 10,000 people.

DHS alum Glen Johnson is a defensive lineman for the Bearcats.

For more information on SBU Bearcat Athletics, visit sbubearcats.com.