Game Notes: Thomas More at Bethany (Week 9)

Andrew Woodley, Sports Information Director

WEEK 9: Thomas More College Saints (4-4, 3-3 Presidents' Athletic Conference) at Bethany College Bison (0-7, 0-5 Presidents' Athletic Conference)

• When: Saturday, October 28, 2017
• Where: Bethany, West Virginia
• Stadium: Bison Stadium (850)
• Kickoff: 12 p.m.
• Series vs. TMC: Thomas More leads 8-2
• Series Streak: Thomas More won 7
• Last Meeting vs. TMC: Thomas More 30, Bethany 7 (2016) | Box Score
• Last Bethany Win: 2007; Bethany 35, Thomas More 14 | Box Score
• Video: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/bethanywv/ (Courtesy of BBN)
• Live Stats: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/bethanywv/

GAME NOTES (.pdf):

LAST MEETING: Bethany lost at then-No. 13 Thomas More 30-7 last season in Kentucky. The Bison defense held the eventual PAC champions to their second-lowest point-total of the season and finished with five sacks, while forcing four turnovers in the loss.

HE DOES IT ALL: Bethany sophomore running back Raekwon Wright ranks fourth in the PAC with 145.1 all-purpose yards per game. Wright wears many hats for the Bison, as he is the primary running back, kick returner, punt returner and also leads the team with 23 receptions this season.

BYE BYE BYE: Bethany returns to the gridiron this week following its bye week. The Bison are 3-3 in their last six games following a week off.

STEPPING IN: Sophomore quarterback Carlin Bason has started each of the last two games for Bison, filling in for injured starter Chase Kinemond. Bason is 18-of-40 for 181 yards and one touchdown in those starts, with all three of his interceptions coming in the W&J game.

AMONG THE NATION'S BEST: An injury limiting his ability to play quarterback hasn't stopped senior Chase Kinemond from continuing to be one of the finest punters in Division III this season. He ranks second in the PAC and 18th in the nation with a 40.5 average. Carnegie Mellon's Tyler Kohman, who leads the league at 47.5 yards per punt, is also the national leader in punting average.

ODD STATISTIC: Despite a four interception game against W&J, the Bison rank sixth in the PAC with an "even" turnover margin. Bethany slots 13th nationally with nine fumble recoveries and are one of only two winless-teams in Division III without a negative turnover margin. Colby College (Maine) is 0-6 with a plus-2 turnover margin this year.

THIRD DOWN WOES: Bethany is allowing opponents to convert a league-high 50 percent of their third down chances (52 of 104). Thomas More offensively is converting a league-best 54 percent of its third down opportunities (62 of 115).

LAUNDRY DAY: Bethany and Thomas More are the two most penalized teams in the PAC this season. The Saints have been flagged a league-high 61 times for an average of 74.9 yards per game, while the Bison are yielding a league-high 81.3 penalty yards per game on 57 penalties.

SENIOR SALUTE: The Bison will honor their senior class prior to kickoff, which includes DE Majied Bey, DB Andre Butler, DB Shaka Conteh, OL Mychal Cooper, WR Shaq Ellis, TE Dustin Hess, QB/P Chase Kinemond, LS Zach Lowe, DE Khallid Pierce, PK Chris Ray, DB Daronne Russell, and DB Lee Sanders.

NEXT WEEK: Bethany will travel to Grove City next Saturday, November 4 for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Bison defeated the Wolverines 33-14 last year behind a huge performance by former Bethany wide receiverTyler Ambush. Ambush finished the game with 10 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns to help the team snap a seven-game skid. Head Coach Bill Garvey is 4-0 in his career against Grove City.