[September 6, 2008]

By: Houston Taylor

LIBERTY, Mo. – Southern Arkansas won everywhere but the scoreboard, falling 34-21 to Truman State (Mo.) Saturday at Greene Stadium on the campus of William Jewell College. The game took place at a neutral site for both teams as the turf project at Truman’s home venue of Stokes Stadium had still not been completed.

The Muleriders (0-2) led 15-13 in first downs and had 325 yards of offense to the Bulldogs’ 265, including a 136 to 102 rushing margin and 189 to 163 through the air. But Truman State (1-0) took advantage of four SAU turnovers, including three interceptions, and converted them into 24 points for a commanding 34-7 advantage after three quarters.

The Bulldogs struck first at 9:23 in the first quarter when Jason Thier picked off a Quintin Porter pass and returned it 14 yards for the opening score. Mickey Masucci made it a 7-0 game with the PAT.

Facing a fourth and one on their ensuing possession, a botched snap to Southern Arkansas punter Zach Massingill caused his punt to be blocked and Truman State was in business at the Mulerider 10. SAU held though, forcing a 20-yard field goal attempt that was good by Masucci at 6:14, 10-0.

Southern Arkansas took their next drive to the Bulldog 26, but after a false start penalty and two pass incompletions, backup quarterback Ryan McCombie was dropped for a 15-yard sack by James Hurt that gave it back to Truman. Again, the Muleriders held, taking over as the quarter ended. This time they capitalized, with Isaac Roseborough rushing in from 11 yards out to put SAU on the board at 10:58 of the second. Jordan Dubois’ PAT was good, 10-7. Porter’s 46-yard pass to Raphyael Tyson was the key play in the drive.

After a 38-yard kickoff return from Albert Coker set the Bulldogs up at the Southern Arkansas 47, penalties became a factor also as the Muleriders were hit with a personal foul, moving the ball to the 27. SAU was tagged with 11 penalties for 103 yards in the game. Southern Arkansas stiffened again though, forcing a 25-yard field goal attempt by Masucci that was blocked by Steven Dauenhauer. But Porter coughed the ball up on the Muleriders’ fifth play of their next possession and this time Masucci nailed a 41-yarder for a 13-7 Truman State lead at 4:13.

The Bulldogs then picked off a McCombie pass which led to a 20-7 edge when quarterback Matt Ticich plunged in from a yard out with 25 ticks left in the first half.

Truman State picked up in the third quarter where they left off in the second, intercepting a Porter pass on SAU’s second drive. With the Bulldogs at the Southern Arkansas 29, they went the distance on five plays in 1:55 with Ryan King rushing from one yard for a 27-7 lead at 9:20.

After stopping the Muleriders on fourth and four at the Bulldog 40 on a McCombie incompletion, Ticich immediately hit Coker for 49 yards and two plays later, connected again from eight yards out to Donald Harvey for a 34-7 margin at 5:44.

SAU got the offense rolling in the fourth, with Porter scoring from three yards out at 8:02, and McCombie delivering a 66-yard touchdown strike to Isaac Marrufo at 5:35. Southern Arkansas then held Truman to four downs and a punt, but instead of taking over at the Bulldog 48, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed it back to the Mulerider 36, killing any opportunity on what would be their final possession.

Truman State suffered just six penalties for 51 yards, while SAU held a 33:13 to 26:47 advantage in time of possession.

Southern Arkansas’ young offense continued to show promising signs, but turnovers again were a killer. The Muleriders also suffered four in last week’s opener at North Alabama.

Porter posted 76 yards rushing while going 5 for 12 for 71 yards in the air, but suffered the two interceptions. McCombie was 7 for 17 for 118 yards with the TD and one picked pass.

Marrufo had five receptions for 99 yards to lead all receivers.

SAU’s defense stepped up after a letdown against North Alabama, but incurred costly penalties, including three personal fouls. A pass interference penalty also hurt late in the game, but was a questionable call.

Dauenhauer and Simeon Oston racked up seven tackles each from their linebacker spots, with Dauenhauer getting three solos and the blocked kick. Oston had two solos and 1.5 tackles for loss, including assisting on a sack. Defensive backs Brandon Wilson, Clarence Wright, and Daren Lewis had five stops each, as did end Ryan Terry. Wright had a sack for minus 11 and broke up three passes.

Southern Arkansas gets no rest this week as No. 1 Valdosta State makes the trip to Magnolia for the Muleriders’ home opener. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Wilkins Stadium.