BOLIVAR, Mo. - Logan Turner's 31-yard field goal as the time expired gave Southwest Baptist the 20-17 victory over the Truman State Bulldogs on a cold, rainy day in Bolivar, Missouri on Saturday. It was Southwest Baptist's second straight home victory over the Bulldogs.
Neither team could gain traction and wet footballs played a role in the game. SBU led 17-10 and had Turner set up for a 51-yard field goal with just under seven minutes to play but the Bulldogs blocked the attempt and gained possession at midfield.
Nolan Hair hit Tate Crane on the first pass of the drive for 18 yards and then a costly roughing the passer flag moved the ball farther downfield.
On fourth down, Hair connected with Zach Valentine for a first down and two plays later Hair darted into the endzone for the touchdown. The extra point was added and the game was tied with 3:45 left to play.
Two big chunk plays for the Bearcats quickly moved them down the yard. Abel Carter, who finished with 185 yards rushing picked up 11 on the bat and then 20 on the next carry to move down to the Bulldog 35. On third and five from the 30, Rodrick Weaver secured a reception for eight yard as the time clocked ticked down.
Turner, who leads Division II in field goals, split the uprights with his 18th of the season to send the Bearcats to the win on the last play from scrimmage.
Carter opened the scoring on a big play with a 31-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The Bulldogs answered on their next drive with Denim Cook powering in from six yards out.
The game was then delayed for nearly an hour due to lighting.
When play resumed in the second quarter, a botched exchange on a punt in the tough conditions saw the ball roll down to the Bulldog one yard line where SBU took over with Carter scoring to make it 14-7.
The Bulldogs forced a turnover on downs and got into field goal range just before half with Grant Ross hitting from 36-yards to make it 14-10 at the break.
A turnover at midfield gave SBU solid field position and Turner capped off the 10-play 43-yard drive with a 27-yard field goal with 7:30 left in the third.
The Bulldogs lost two of the four fumbles on the day and the Bearcats lost two of the seven balls that hit the turf.
Abel's 185 yards was the most allowed to a single player by the Bulldogs since the spring of 2021. The Bearcats rushed for 242 yards as a team and both squads relied on the ground game due to weather.
Mason Huskey led Truman with 81 yards and Hair followed with 41. Hair was just 4-of-11 passing with 43 yards and Truman was only 1-of-9 on third downs.
The Bulldogs will return for Senior Day at Stokes Stadium next Saturday when they welcome Great Lakes Valley Conference newcomer Upper Iowa for a noon start.
