ALVA, Okla. – A disciplined, focused effort from the Southern Arkansas Football team on Saturday afternoon was indeed evident as the Muleriders used a stout rushing attack that totaled 335 yards on 63 attempts, while controlling over 46 minutes of the clock in a 40-7 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State in Great American Conference play from Ranger Field. It is the third-straight win for the Muleriders (5-1, 5-1 GAC) in 2019 and it is the 62^nd in the SAU coaching career for head coach Bill Keopple; tying him with legendary Mulerider leader Raymond "Rip" Powell for second on the all-time wins list.
 
Redshirt freshman Kor'Davion Washington was an important offensive catalyst for SAU as he led the team in rushing with 123 yards on 15 carries at 8.2 yards per rush in addition to hauling in three passes for a team-high 67 yards and a touchdown. Redshirt senior SirCharles Perkins also eclipsed the century mark in rushing as he totaled 107 yards on 22 carries with a score. The collective rushing output is the most ever for a Bill Keopple-led Mulerider team on the road and it marks just the eighth time that SAU has topped 300 yards rushing since 2009.Through the air, junior quarterback Hayden Mallory was highly efficient as he completed 12-of-14 passing for 143 yards.
 
In addition to the high offensive output, the Mulerider defense, despite being on the field for just under 14 minutes, produced three turnovers and held the Rangers to just 270 yards of offense; 85 of which were mustered on the ground. The Rangers are the third opponent that has been held under 100 yards rushing by the Muleriders this fall and it is the third time this season that SAU has held its opposition under 300 yards of total offense.
 
Redshirt junior DeMarcus Pegue and sophomore Brock Floyd each registered five tackles. Redshirt senior Stacy Lawrence picked off an early Ranger pass in the end zone and redshirt freshman Tarrion Thompson recorded a sack.
 
All three phases of the game were in proper order in the win as sophomore place kicker Austin Wilkerson connected on field goal attempts of 37, 27, 23, and 29. He is now 9-for-10 on the season and his four field goal day was the first for a Mulerider kicker since September 10, 2016 when Bradford Grems nailed four attempts at home vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State. Wilkerson is the seventh place kicker in program history to make at least nine field goal attempts in a single season and his 17 successful attempts in his career is currently seventh in program history.
 
Freshman OB Jones opened scoring on Saturday afternoon as he rushed in from 13 yards out at the 10:31 mark of the first quarter. Wilkerson added the next nine points as his first three attempts all came in the second quarter, including a 23-yarder as time expired before the half to give the Muleriders a 16-0 lead into the intermission.
 
The lone Ranger score was the first points for either team in the second half as Gavin Garner caught a 34 yard touchdown pass. Excluding Garner's receiving production on just four catches, the Rangers managed just 149 yards of offense.
 
Perkins scored on a six-yard carry in response of the Northwestern Oklahoma touchdown and a touchdown reception by redshirt senior Jaidon Parrish from Mallory put SAU up 30-7 with 3:18 to play in the third quarter. Washington's touchdown came through the air as Mallory connected with the redshirt freshman for 32 yards 4:30 into the final quarter of play. Wilkerson added his fourth field goal with just over 60 seconds remaining in the game as Southern Arkansas improved to 8-2 all-time against NWOSU.
 
The Muleriders return home for a Week 7 tilt with Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday, October 19 at 2:30 p.m. from Wilkins Stadium at Rip Powell Field. It will be homecoming for Keopple's Muleriders who have never lost a homecoming matchup under the 11^th-year head coach.