JACKSON, Mississippi – Facing the challenge of their first road game of the year and weather delays to begin the game at Belhaven University, East Texas Baptist University used a 20-point third quarter to propel them to a 46-20 win over the Blazers. ETBU is currently 2-1 and are 2-0 in the American Southwest Conference.
 
Brian Baca completed 13-of-29 passes for 349 yards and three passing touchdowns. He would also add a rushing score with Jeremiah Robertson. Robertson would finish with 80 yards on 14 carries. Tarek Beaugard was ETBU's top receiver with two touchdown catches for 126 yards. For BU, Hunter McEachern had a 13-for-31 day of 175 yards and two touchdowns while throwing two picks. Brad Foley gained a game-high 143 rushing yards while Joey Walden caught two touchdown receptions on 106 receiving yards.
 
On defense, Garrett Gibson had eight tackles to lead ETBU while Quaylon Buckley (one forced fumble) and Khamron Thomas each had a sack. Zack Biles and Terrance Allen each had an interception on the game. BU's top defender was Denarrius Noel, who posted 10 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss.
 
ETBU won the toss and elected to receive to start the game. The Tigers reached BU's 46 before turning the ball over on downs. BU took over and would go down the field to score the first touchdown of the game. ETBU would then answer with a 12-play, 74-yard drive culminating with a two-yard scramble from Baca to cut the lead to 7-6 after a missed extra point. The Blazers would run four plays on their next drive before Beckley forced the fumble, which was recovered by Zack Walker. It would take two plays before Baca connected to Beaugard for 35 yards and a 13-7 lead. After holding BU to three-and-out, ETBU would take over by the end of the first quarter.
 
But the Tigers would fumble on this drive as the second quarter was underway. However, they would then force a fumble as LaPoint-Teate was able to force the fumble and recover it on his own. The Tigers would take over and would go for it on fourth down. The pass was incomplete, but a pass interference call on BU kept ETBU's drive going. The Tigers would settle for three points on a 22-yard field goal from Drew Mackay to lead 16-7. The next five total drives ended with zero points from either side. With 3:28 left to play in the half, ETBU took over and would reach the 13-yard line before settling for another field goal. The Blazers would strike to score before halftime. However, time ran out and the Tigers would take a 19-7 lead into the break.
 
BU started the second half with the ball, but would soon be forced to punt. On ETBU's first play from scrimmage, Baca would connect with Tarek Beaugard, who would score from 91 yards to make it 25-7. The Blazers would respond with a 34-yard strike, but failed the two-point conversion as it was 25-13. Robertson would then make the lead 32-13 when he would scamper in from seven yards on ETBU's next possession. The Blazers then were held three-and-out and punted the ball. However, they would recover it when the balled was muffed. Still, Biles would halt BU's chance to capitalize when he intercepted a pass. Baca would then connect with Kane Johnson for 48 yards on two plays, including the 14-yard reception for a 39-13 lead. The Tigers would later get the ball back and by the end of the third quarter, found themselves facing 3^rd and 26 following a fumble recovered by Baca.
 
Baca would start the fourth quarter with a 29-yard pass to Cameron Goodlett. But thanks to a sideline interference penalty by the Blazers, ETBU was given an automatic first down at BU's 13-yard line. They would take advantage of this when Dominic Haggerty rushed in for the touchdown to give ETBU a 46-13 lead. BU would take three plays to score on their next drive to make it 46-20. After holding ETBU to three-and-out, Belhaven got the ball back only to throw an interception to Terrance Allen. ETBU couldn't capitalize and were forced to punt but they kept BU in their own territory on the next possession. Ultimately, neither team would score again as the Tigers picked up the win heading back to Marshall.
 
ETBU's next challenge is a road game in Abilene, Texas, where they will face off against #8 Hardin-Simmons University. Kickoff is at 6:00 PM.