The Omnibus

Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Sports

Senior wide receiver Nick Smart makes his NCAA Division II record-tying catch in a 36-30 loss to Fort Hays State. Freshman quarterback Steve Gachette also broke the Division II record for passes completed by a freshman in a game.

oon in Hays, Kan., the Southwest Baptist Bearcats ended up with the short end of the stick in a 36-30 loss to the Tigers of Fort Hays State. Yellow hankies went flying left and right in a game that saw a staggering 21 penalties totaling 240 yards between the two teams, many of which came at the most inopportune times. The wild finish to the game helped all to realize that when playing a MIAA conference game, one must always remember one thing: expect the unexpected.
The game was highlighted by not just one, but two NCAA Division II records being broken in the game. Those in attendance had the opportunity to experience SBU's senior WR Nick Smart not just set the record for receptions in a season in the fourth quarter but smash the record with his 18 receptions on the game. Smart's 18 receptions tie his season-high and D-II leading mark for receptions in a game this season. Smart now has 127 receptions on the season with one game left on the schedule.
Not many, if any, realized that freshman QB Steve Gachette set the D-II record for completions in a game by a freshman. The previous record was 41 completions set by Neil Lomax of Portland State in 1977, but Gachette finished the game with 45 completions on 68 attempts.
The Bearcats trailed by a score of 36-17 early in the fourth quarter, but the high-octane offense and the stellar defensive performance made it possible for SBU to make a huge stab at what would have been one of the greatest comebacks in recent Bearcat history.
SBU gained possession of the ball with 12:42 left in the game on a kickoff following a Tiger field goal. The Bearcats marched down the field on a 12-play drive that saw Gachette connect with senior WR LaMarcus Windham on a 12-yard touchdown strike in the corner of the end zone. The Bearcats went for the two-point conversion to try and further cut into the Tiger lead, but the attempt failed. This made the score 36-23 in favor of Fort Hays.
The SBU offense quickly marched down the field after regaining possesion, and on their 12th play of the drive, with just over 2:30 left in the game, they lined up for a crucial third and one. Gachette burst up the middle on a sneak, and it appeared that his forward progress had been impeded when the ball popped out of his outstretched arms. The whistle never blew, and the play continued on, and the ball was recovered by the Tigers' Brandon Taylor. This was a crushing blow to the Bearcats as they felt the game slip through their fingers.

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