McKENZIE, Tenn. – An off week helped put a little distance between a 0-2 start and Campbellsville University's Mid-South Conference West Division opener. A 26-0 shutout win over the defending MSC West champion Bethel Wildcats helped put the first two weeks further in the rearview mirror Saturday.
 

"It's a great win for our players and our staff … It's great getting a shutout because this team gave up so many points at Murray. We played good defense at Murray, but of course everybody forgets about that," CU head coach Perry Thomas said. "This win gives us a little redemption and gets our confidence going. Obviously, we made some changes this past week but it's a good win for the university community. We're going to keep moving forward."

Some of the biggest changes during the off week included Offensive Coordinator Rick Gehres moving to the press box instead of the sideline for the first time as OC, Josh Dye taking over the play calling on defense and Hunter Cantwell taking over special teams.

Each of the changes showed Saturday night at Wildcat Stadium, as CU's defense held Bethel to 4-for-16 on third down, had four takeaways and three turnovers on downs. On special teams, the Tigers' punt unit pinned Bethel inside the 20 on four occasions, blocked one punt and forced a fumble on another, while also kicking two field goals. The CU offense put together two 80-yard drives early in the game, leading to a 13-0 halftime lead en route to putting up 309 yards of offense in the game.

The first drive actually required 90 yards of offense after an early penalty. Senior quarterback Bryan Parnes executed 4-of-4 passing for 80 yards on the drive, connecting on passes of 34, 20, 13 and 13 yards to Ben Axon, Trevon Chatman, Larry Walls and Demytrius Gipson, respectively. The latter being a touchdown strike with 3:27 remaining in the quarter. Parnes finished the night 12-of-26 with 190 yards passing, while Axon led CU with 72 yards on the ground and 34 by air.  

Bethel used its second drive of the second quarter to wake up its passing game. Kerry Sellers II, who was 0-for-3 in the first quarter, picked up two first downs with third-down passes to Travonta Thomas and Cole Delano. But CU monster Blake Young dropped Sellers for a 5-yard loss on first down to help kill the drive and force a punt three plays later.

Stoney Burns made the top defensive play of the half for Bethel, picking off Parnes with about 8:30 remaining in the second quarter, but the Wildcats were lined up offsides. With new life at their own 29, the Tigers continued to march down field. Parnes capped the drive with a fourth-and-three pass for 23 yards and a touchdown to Chatman, who had 59 yards on four catches in the game

"With Coach Gehres moving to the box, we were able to slow the game a little bit and take the control and pressure off the quarterback," Thomas said.

Bethel's first threat of putting points on the scoreboard came with 3:25 left in the third quarter when Juan Hernandez missed a 30-yard field goal try. After the Wildcats forced a Tiger punt, CU's Seth McFerrin recovered a muffed punt at the Bethel 15. Campbellsville put three points on the board with a 26-yard field goal by Ward, making it 16-0 and ending the Tigers' second half scoring drought for the season.

Following the field goal, play got sloppy. AJ Strong, who partially blocked two kicks at LWC, blocked Robby Phillips' punt on the ensuing possession, but the Tigers gave it right back as Parnes was picked off in the end zone by Burns. Bethel fumbled again but managed to get it back briefly before Rashaud Hill picked off Sellers at the Bethel 27.  

Ward temporarily paused the turnover exchange with a 31-yard field goal, stretching the Tigers' lead to 19-0 with 9:21 to play. However, Lezedric Hill picked off Sellers and returned the pick-six 25 yards for a touchdown after a tip by Derek Mincy. Ward's kick made it 26-0 with 8:27 to play.

"Those were big points. When it's 13-0, they just need two scores. The second field goal was huge," Thomas said. "Will's done well this season. He's not a long range kicker, but he's been steady for us. I'm very proud of him and those long snappers."

Bethel threatened the shutout again late with a 65-yard drive that came up short on fourth-and-goal at the Tigers' 4 with 3:45 remaining. Mincy later recovered a fumble on fourth-and-10 for the Wildcats to put an explanation point on the win.

In addition to to the takeaways by the Hills and Mincy, the linebackers led CU's defense. Daniel DeLeon had 11 tackles and a pass breakup, followed by 10 for Beau Biller and nine by Nick Reed. Rashaud Hill had eight.

Campbellsville (1-2, 1-0 MSC West) will return to action Saturday, Sept. 28 to host Belhaven University in the first home game of the season at Citizens Bank Field and Finley Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET on Family Weekend.

"We're excited and ready to get home. It's been a long time," Thomas said. "We have very supportive fans, who hang with us from thick and thin … We have our work cut out for us next week against a very good Belhaven team, though they are struggling a little bit right now."