Kansas City, Mo ? Baker University has the Heart of America Conference’s leading rusher in Jon Reeves. Baker also has the league’s best rushing defense.

Then why are the Wildcats’ off to a sluggish 1-3 start?

Pass defense. BU ranks last in the league in that category, and the beleaguered Baker secondary figures to see plenty of passes today from Avila University quarterback Brandon Allen.

Kickoff will be at 1:30 p.m. at Rockhurst High.

Reeves, a 5-foot-11, 220-pound junior from Palestine, Texas, leads the conference in rushing attempts (106) and yards per game (133.8).

The Wildcats are coming off a heart-breaking 31-28 loss to unbeaten MidAmerica Nazarene Saturday in Baldwin. The ‘Cats also are winless on the road, having fallen to Evangel (28-15) and Missouri Valley (28-7).

Baker’s lone win is 13-10 over Central Methodist in Baldwin. Avila (0-3) has lost to MANU (38-7), Missouri Valley (28-14) and Central Methodist (6-3).

Avila had last week off. Baker will be idle Oct. 11.