PIKEVILLE – Bethel University, which opened its season with an upset win over nationally-ranked Reinhardt, took apart UPIKE’s defense Thursday night, rolling to a 62-31 win in a game stopped with less than 10 minutes to play because of severe lightning strikes.
The Bears, now 1-2, led 24-20 before the Wildcats ran off 28 unanswered points to pull away and cruise throughout the second half.
The two teams combined for nearly 1,000 yards in total offense.
Xondre Willis led UPIKE with 180 yards rushing on 11 carries and quarterback Bowen Smith passed for 260 yards and two scores.
UPIKE will play for the first time all season long on a Saturday when the Bears journey to Lindsey Wilson on Sept. 15. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., EST.
At Pikeville
SCORE BY QUARTERS:
BU (2-0)….13 21 21 7 – 62
UP (1-2)….10 14 7 0 – 31
Scoring:
First Quarter
UP – William Chandler, 22-yard field goal, 12:02
BU – Breon Melvin, 9-yard pass from Sam Castronova (Dalton McCann kick), 10:40
UP – Arites Clark, 4-yard pass from Bowen Smith (William Chandler kick), 2:41
BU – De’Ontay Tate, 8-yard run (kick failed), 1:46
Second Quarter
UP – Willie McCloud, 1-yard run (William Chandler kick), 13:28
BU – Breon Melvin, 21-yard pass from Sam Castronova (Dalton McCann kick), 10:50
UP – Darrion Leslie, 51-yard pass from Bowen Smith (William Chandler kick), 9:58
BU – Antonio Wright, 48-yard run (Dalton McCann kick), 9:03
Third Quarter
BU – Davius Prather, 50-yard pass from Sam Castronova (Dalton McCann kick), 14:32
BU – Anthony Hughes, 1-yard run (Dalton McCann kick), 10:27
BU – Ayaunta Davis, 76-yard run (Dalton McCann kick), 4:21
UP – Alexander Shelton, 38-yard pass from Trevon Wofford (William Chandler kick), 1:43
Fourth Quarter
BU – Jaylen Montague, 1-yard run (Dalton McCann kick), 13:55
Next up: UPIKE (1-2) at Lindsey Wilson College, 7:30 p.m., EST, Sept. 15.