By MATT SWINEA
pressbox1.com

JACKSON, Miss. - Bethel College jumped out early and never looked back, as the Wildcats took care of business on the road 49-20. It was the first conference and divisional game of the season. Bethel used a balanced offensive attack that was supported by special teams play to pace the victory.

Bethel got on the board early as the offense was having no trouble moving the ball. On the Wildcats first possession, Antonio Brown, Sr. slipped in to take the snap and threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Julian Tyler. Shane Normandin booted the PAT and Bethel led 7-0. Forcing Belhaven to punt, Brown then returned it 56 yards to the Blazer 25 yard line. Three plays later and Adrain Smith punched it in from the one and after a successful PAT, Bethel led 14-0.

Belhaven responded scoring in the first nine seconds of the second quarter. The PAT failed to make the score 14-6. But, that score would not hold up long. Bethel ’s Julian Tyler returned the following kickoff 76 yards for a touchdown. And Bethel was in front 21-6. Belhaven’s next possession came to an end on Donald Lightfoot’s first interception of the night. On Bethel ’s sixth play, senior quarterback Ronnie Jankovich hooked up with Brown for a 76-yard touchdown and Bethel led 28-6.

The third quarter began in record setting fashion for the Wildcats. Julian Tyler took the second half opening kickoff, 85 yards for his second kick off return touchdown of the game.

It was the second longest in Bethel history and the first time a player has returned two in one game. The score had Bethel comfortably in the lead 35-6. Belhaven responded with a six-play, 72-yard drive. The PAT failed and the score stood at 35-12.

Bethel was held on its next possession and an errant snap over the punter’s head set the Blazers up with a short field at the Bethel 18. It looked like Belhaven was in a position to score, but Lightfoot intercepted his second pass of the game in the end zone. The Wildcats went 80 yards in seven plays, capped off by an 11-yard touchdown by Terrance Bell and Bethel let 42-12. Mainly on the shoulders of Graylin Allison, who came into the game as the No. 4 receiver in the NAIA, Belhaven was able to respond as he took an end around for a 10-yard score.

As the fourth quarter began, Bethel started to grind out the clock on the ground. They ran out of real estate as Smith scored from the 13 yard line. The nine-play, 59-yard drive used up 4:42 of the clock and the Wildcats led 49-20. The Blazers were only able to gain 17 yards before time expired.

Bethel had 449 yards of total offense. It was a very balanced attack as they gained 216 yards on the ground and 229 through the air. Smith had 92 yards on 15 carries and two scores. Bell carried two times for 83 yards and one score. Jankovich was 12-25 for 193 yards and a touchdown. Brown was 1- 1 passing for 36 yards and a touchdown. Brown also led all receivers with five catches for 142 yards and one touchdown. Tyler had three grabs for 65 yards and a score. Tyler also had two kickoff returns for 161 yards and two scores.

Bethel improves to 3-1 (1-0) on the year. The Wildcats will be at home this coming Saturday, September 29 as they play a conference divisional cross-over game with The University of Virginia at Wise. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. CDT. Virginia-Wise is currently ranked No. 7 in the nation. This past weekend, the Cavaliers won a shootout with then-No. 7 Georgetown College 63-56.