The Pioneers traveled to Bethel (TN) on Saturday for the first round of the NAIA Playoffs.

Bethel set the tone early as they took the opening kickoff and marched 80 yards on 12 plays for the first score of the afternoon. Adrain Smith, who ranked #2 in the nation in scoring coming into the game, powered his way in from the nine yard line. The drive's key play was a 19 yard pass from Ronnie Jankovich to tight end Buck Reed on third and seven from the MNU 35. Matt Wininger kicked the PAT for a 7-0 Wildcat lead. The Pioneers showed why their offense was ranked fourth in the nation as they responded with a 65 yard, 10 play drive, ending with Pat Ealy diving in from three yards out to tie the score 7-7. Bethel replied as Terrance Bell found the end zone from seven yards out; that capped off a 10 play, 80 yard drive, but the extra point was missed for a 13-7 Bethel lead.

The Pioneers drove to the Bethel 31 as the second quarter began and as MNU's quarterback Matt Schneider threw for the end zone, Bethel's BJ Banks picked off his first of two passes on the day ending the threat. Bethel cashed in on the turnover as Antonio Brown, Sr. took the direct snap and ran an option play right for a 12 yard score. Jankovich found Reed on a two point try and Bethel was in front 21-7. After exchanging possessions, the Pioneers were on the move and scored with 33 second left in the half. Bethel did manage to work themselves into field goal position and Wininger nailed a 37 yarder as time expired for a 24-14 halftime score.

The game got quite interesting as the second half of play opened. On the Pioneer's second play, Ealy looked as though he was going to be tackled behind the line, but broke free, ran 69 yards for a touchdown and tightened the score 24-21 Bethel. Bethel's following drive stalled on the MNU 12 yard line and Wininger booted a 29 yard field goal for a 27-21 ‘Cat lead. Bethel struck quick on its next possession as Jankovich hit Joevaris Carter in stride for a 52 yard touchdown. After the PAT by Wininger, Bethel led 34-21. The Bethel defense held again and the offense went back to work. First and ten on the MNU 17 and Jankovich found freshman tight end Banarvon Taylor for the score and a 41-21 lead. Banks intercepted his second pass of the game on the Pioneer's first play as the third quarter came to an end.

As Bethel faced third and nine from the MNU 24, Jankovich hit Brown Sr. for the score. After the PAT, Bethel led 48-21. Bethel's defense was up to the task again and as MNU tried to punt, a Bethel player leapt into the air and was pushed into the kicker by a MNU player. A personal foul roughing the kicker was called that resulted in an automatic first down extending the Pioneer's drive. On the next play, Schneider threw his third interception of the game as Brennen Bishop steeped in front. But Bishop turned the ball right back over as he tried to get a return going and fumbled. The Pioneers scored four plays later for a 48-28 score. Jankovich made his only mistake of the day as he was intercepted in the end zone ending another Wildcat threat at the MNU 17. The Bethel defense rose to the occasion again as the Pioneers were forced to go for it on fourth and 10. Brenton Ford put an end to the Pioneers possession sacking Schneider for a 12 yard loss. Bell would only need one play to cover the remaining eight yards and Bethel was comfortably ahead 55-28. MNU got one more crack at it. With no time remaining on the clock Schneider threw into the end zone where two Wildcats and a Pioneer tried to make a play on the ball. Bethel was called for pass interference giving MNU one more play with no time on the clock from the Bethel 2 yard line. Schneider called his own number for the final score 55-34.