By JIM STEELE
pressbox1.com

McKENZIE, Tenn. - Bethel College started the season 0-3, struggled moving the football and experienced a series of off-the-field problems coming into Saturday's game against Belhaven College.

Given the visiting Blazers' offensive penchant, some may have concluded that the Wildcats were on the express lane to an 0-4 start.

Within the first two-and-a-half minutes of the game, Bethel served notice rather quickly that Belhaven was going to be in for a long night. Wade Vandergriff picked off Belhaven quarterback Andrew Carcich and returned it 11 yards for a score. Couple that with BC quarterback Chad Lamping's success through the air and Justin Woodard's success through the ground and the Wildcats finally cracked the victory column.

It was a nice finish to what had started out as a trying day. The Wildcats felt earlier Saturday they had been ambushed by regional media reports about the suspension of eight players involved in an alleged altercation last week. Needless to say, Bethel football coach Dino Kaklis was looking for something to smile about.

"This was good, it was a division win," Kaklis said. "They guys have been working hard and things just started to click tonight; we didn't wave a magic wand or sprinkle any kind of magic dust."

Things clicked indeed.

Belhaven answered Bethel's score, but its scoring offense, for the most part, went dormant after that. From there, the Wildcats mounted an offensive juggernaut. Woodard's 3-yard run with 1:03 to play in the first ended an 11-play, 61-yard drive and lifted the 'Cats to a 14-7 lead. And the hits just kept on coming.

Senior kicker Sean Fraser booted a 32-yard field goal to give Bethel a 17-7 lead with 12:50 to play in the second quarter. On Belhaven's next possesion, Antonio Wardlow picked up a loose ball and returned it to the Belhaven 46. Bethel didn't score, but its defense got in the act and flipped field position on the Blazers.

"We were getting turnovers and getting stops," Kaklis said. "We put ourselves in good position offensively and took advantage of opportunities."

Two series later, Donald Lightfoot picked off a pass at the Belhaven 22. the Wildcats needed five plays to score, Lamping hitting Blake Bragg for a 17-yard scoring pass. Fraser's PAT catapulted Bethel to a 24-7 lead at the half.

Bethel tried to pile it on as the third quarter began. Lamping drilled Bragg with a 49-yard TD pass. With Fraser's kick, the 'Cats led 31-7 and it appeared the much-needed rout was on at the 10:12 mark of the third period.

But Belhaven staged a comeback.

Jerred Wallace found Anthony Embry for a 52-yard TD pass with 6:20 to play in the third. Then Wallace connected with Ricardo Bolton for a 17-yard scoring strike with 2:44 left in the third.

Wardlow forced and recovered another fumble early in the fourth quarter, ending one Belhaven drive. Belhaven also missed a field goal. The Blazers suffered some time-manangement problems in the waning moments and the Wildcats were able to win the game.

Kaklis had praise for his quarterback, who completed 12 of 26 passes for 164 yards and a pair of TDs. He was only picked once.

"Chad is a capable kid who's played before and done a good job," said the coach. "He had a good game tonight and executed the game plan. If we do that, we win."

Kaklis said there had been some smoldering frustration at the 0-3 start, but the attitude has been good in preparation.

"The kids have been working hard; yeah, they've been frustrated, but they understand that we've played in 475 some odd plays," Kaklis said. "And of all of that, 10 plays could have gone the other way that kept us from winning.

Defensively, Dominique Davis had seven total stops. Chancy DePriest and Vandergriff each had six. Wardlow had two fumble recoveries. Lightfoot had two interceptions.

Bethel, 1-3, 1-1, hits the road to Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn. Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. CDT kickoff.

Elsewhere:

TENNESSEE-MARTIN 63, MURRAY STATE 38 at Murray, Ky. - The Skyhawks blew open their game with the host Racers early, taking a 28-7 first-quarter lead on the carpet at Roy Stewart Stadium and were never threatened.

UTM improved to 4-1 on the year, 2-0 in the Ohio Valley Conference and improved its winning streak over MSU to four games. The four-game surge overturned an 11-game Murray spree.

Roren Thomas scored four touchdowns, including an 83-yard kickoff return to open the game. He had 223 all-purpose yards. Skyhawk quarterback Cade Thompson was 16-20 passing for 250 yards and four touchdowns. Dontrell Miller had an interception return for a touchdown.

UTM entertains Tennessee State for homecoming 2 p.m. Saturday at H.K. Grantham Field.

MEMPHIS 29, ARKANSAS STATE 17 at Memphis - Arkansas State overturned a 13-0 lead in the first frame, led 17-16 at the half, but Memphis blanked the A-State in the second half for the victory.

Curtis Steele had 22 carries for 203 yards rushing and a touchdown to lead Memphis to a 2-3 mark. Charlie Jones carried eight times for 44 yards and two touchdowns. Tiger quarterback Arkelon Hall completed 10 of 25 passes for 178 yards. Kicker Vinny Zaccario had field goals of 20, 37 and 40 yards.

Arkansas State falls to 3-2. Memphis visits Conference USA foe Alabama-Birmingham 7 p.m. Thursday Night at Legion Field.

LAMBUTH 51, VIRGINIA-WISE 40 at Wise, va. - Lambuth leaped to a 34-12 lead in the first half and held off a second-half surge by the Mountain Cavaliers Saturday. Edward Robinson had 23 carries for 181 yards and a touchdown.

Josh Garza completed 10 of 17 passes for 161 yards and two TDs for the Eagles. Rashad Taylor picked off a pass and returned it 29 yards for Lambuth. UV-Wise quarterback Randy Hippeard was picked off three times on the day. The Eagles, 3-2, have off this week but return to action when Faulkner visits L.L. Fonville Field 12:30 p.m. CDT Oct. 18.

UNC-PEMBROKE 47, LANE COLLEGE 28 at Jackson, Tenn. - The visiting Braves ruined Lane College's home opener Saturday. The host Dragons took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but watched Pembroke outscore them 28-7 in he second frame.

Marcus Adams led Lane with 21 carries for 83 yards. Dragon quarterback Ellis Sherard rushed for a touchdown and completed 16-21 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Brandon Shelton had four catches for 102 yards and two TDs. Jamal williams returned a punt 90 yards in the second quarter for a TD and J.T. McCoy returned a fumble 36 yards for another TD to lead the Braves. The Dragons host Ft. Valley State 6 p.m. next Saturday.