The Kentucky Wesleyan College football team came up just short Saturday, falling to Southwest Baptist University 20-13 in the Panthers’ homecoming game.
Wesleyan managed to get inside the red zone in the closing seconds with a chance to tie the game but were unable to execute.
After a couple of three-and-outs in the final eight minutes, the Panthers (0-3) got the ball at their own 19-yard line with 1:40 on the clock and no timeouts remaining. A long drive that included quarterback Wiley Cain scrambling for a first down on fourth-and-6 moved them to the Bearcats’ 16 with five seconds to play.
The Panthers were able to get two plays off in the final seconds, but two incomplete passes in the end zone allowed the Bearcats to hold on for their second win of the season.
Wesleyan was first on the board early in the game with Chris Mangold nailing a 29-yard field goal, but Southwest Baptist later scored their first touchdown on a 53-yard run.
Both teams added a field goal in the second quarter, allowing the Bearcats to take a 10-6 lead into halftime.
The Panthers went back in front when Peyton Peters hauled in a pass and took it 59 yards for a score, putting them up 13-10 with 6:07 remaining in the third. Southwest Baptist responded on the ensuing drive with a field goal.
Facing fourth-and-1 at their own 38-yard line, the Bearcats ran a fake punt with kicker Logan Claborn connecting with Cory Hanger for a touchdown.
Cain finished with 264 yards on 22 completions with one touchdown. Peters led the receivers with 86 yards on three catches. De’Ondre Boggs had 72 yards on five catches, while Corey Johnson Jr. led the run game with 56 yards on 14 carries.
The Panther offense posted a season-high 341 yards on the day while scoring on two of their four red zone chances.
Armand Childs anchored the defense with nine tackles, while Devyn Bledsoe, Jackson Rape and Jalen Humphrey each had seven. RJ Wilson recorded the lone interception.
Wesleyan hits the road next week for the first time when they open Great Midwest Athletic Conference play at Lake Erie College.
