Game Notes
JACKSON, Miss.- The Belhaven football team will be gunning for the Mid-South Conference West Division title on Saturday night at H.T. Newell Field. The Blazers have won four straight games after last week's 24-14 win over the University of Pikeville. Belhaven has now won six of its last seven contests after a 0-3 start to the season. Bethel has reeled off five consecutive victories including a 42-17 win at Lindsey Wilson last weekend. The Wildcats are ranked 18^th in the latest NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll and have their sights set on their second consecutive division title and trip to the NAIA playoffs if they come away with the win on Saturday.
 
Blazer Bits
Game 11: Belhaven (6-4, 4-1 MSC) vs. Bethel University (TN) (7-3, 5-0 MSC), Saturday November 10^th 6:00 PM, in Jackson, Miss. H.T, Newell Field. Last Meeting: October 1^st, 2011. (Bethel 28 Belhaven 17)
 
Coaches: Joe Thrasher (Belhaven-4^th Season), Chris Elliott (Bethel- 1^st Season)
 
Series vs. Bethel (Series Tied 6-6): Saturday's game will be the 13^th meeting between the two programs. The two teams first played in 1998. Bethel has won four of the last five meetings.
 
Special Teams Shine: Belhaven's special teams were front and center against Pikeville and for that matter have been solid all season long. The Blazers have put up some impressive stats on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, but special teams are right there with them. Belhaven comes into the weekend 5^th in the NAIA in punt return yards per attempt (16.7), 6^th in yards per punt (41.4), and 11^th in yards per kickoff return (23.1). The Blazers have continued to put up big numbers despite a key injury to All-Conference kicker James Bryan. Devin Williams has stepped into the starting punter role the last two weeks and averaged just under 42 yards per punt in last week's game against Pikeville. Joao Bellmonte and Carl Blundell, members of the Belhaven soccer team, have been perfect on field goals and extra points. Blundell hit his first career field goal last week from 33 yards out.
 
Chase for a Title: Belhaven is in the hunt for its first MSC West Division title and a possible berth in the playoffs, but must win Saturday against Bethel in order to have a chance to accomplish both. The only two teams in the West still standing with a chance at the division title are Belhaven and Bethel (TN) and this game will decide the division championship. When it comes to the NAIA playoffs,  in order to be one of the 16 teams to qualify, the Blazers must win the division and also be ranked in the top 20 in the final NAIA coaches' poll.
 
In the Spotlight: This week's Blazer in the spotlight is defensive back Isiah Wiley. Wiley, a senior from West Monroe, LA and transfer from the University of Southern California had an outstanding afternoon against Pikeville returning both punts and kickoffs for the Blazers. Wiley gave Belhaven a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter on his second punt return for a touchdown this season that covered 68 yards. Later in the game he nearly broke a kickoff return for a touchdown taking the ball 72 yards from his own end zone. Wiley is averaging 20.8 yards per punt return and 30.8 yards per kickoff return ranking him first and third in the NAIA respectively. In addition to his play on special teams, Wiley intercepted his second pass of the season and made a pair of tackles on defense. Wiley was also named the Mid-South Conference and NAIA National Special Teams Player of the Week.
 
Quick Stats: Like special teams, Belhaven's offense and defense continues to reside in the top 20 in multiple categories when it comes to the NAIA national statistical rankings. The Blazers are 12^th in total scoring (345 points), 12^th in rushing yards (2153) and 15^th in rushing yards per game (215.3). Belhaven is also 18^th in points per game (34.5). On defense, the Blazers are 3^rd in the NAIA in pass defense effiency (82.1), 6^th in pass defense per game at 139.3 yards allowed, and 11^th in total defense allowing just 271.2 yards per game. Belhaven is surrendering only 16.7 points per game which ranks them 13^th in the nation in that category.
 
Tale of the Tape: Belhaven and Bethel are close in every statistical category on offense, but Bethel claims a slight advantage in total yards per game, passing yards per game, and rushing yards per game. Belhaven comes into the weekend averaging 382.6 total yards, Bethel 424.9 yards. On the ground, the Wildcats chew up 228.8 yards per game compared to Belhaven at 215.3 yards per outing. Through the air, Bethel averages 196.1 yards while Belhaven passes for 167. 3 yards each contest. The total point's breakdown favors Bethel 351-345.
 
For a closer inside look at this week's matchup, fans can click on the game notes link above. Media coverage this weekend includes play-by-by play audio and live stats that can be accessed by clicking here. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 PM.