MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (7-3 GAC) edged out a win over the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm (4-6 GAC) by a final score of 16-14 in Magnolia, Arkansas Saturday afternoon behind three interceptions from the defense and three field goals from Hayden Nitz.
 
The Muleriders won the opening coin toss and deferred their option to the second half as the Savage Storm opened the game on offense. Southeastern was able to drive down the field on their opening drive and score to open the scoring and take an early lead, 7-0. Both teams then traded drives and stops as SAU started a long march down the field to end the first quarter.
 
The Muleriders capped off a 16-play drive to open the second quarter knotting the score at seven all as Katrevion Thomas punched it in from 10-yards out. With 14:24 to go before the half, the teams were knotted at 7-7. The rest of the second quarter was highlighted by both defenses as neither team was able to score, and the game went to half time tied at 7-7.
 
SAU opened the second half on offense and drove down the field eventually stalling out before Hayden Nitz converted his first field goal of the day from 29-yards out to give the Blue and Gold their first lead of the day. The Savage Storm offense then got their first chance of the second half, but the drive was cut short as Zay Woods intercepted the Colton Howard pass to give the Muleriders all the momentum.
 
The Mulerider offense got the ball back in plus territory starting at the Southeastern 29-yard line but stalled out again short of the endzone. Hayden Nitz then extended the SAU lead with his second field goal of the day this time from 25-yards out putting the Muleriders up 13-7.
 
The ensuing Savage Storm drive also got cut short as Braden Gunn intercepted a deflected ball off of the Southeastern receiver's hands and returned it 39-yards to the Savage Storm 23-yard line. Despite the good starting field position, the Blue and Gold could not convert a fourth down and turned the ball over to the Savage Storm.
 
Despite a little bit of momentum for the Savage Storm, the SAU defense stood tall yet again to give the ball back to the offense. Hayden Nitz then converted his third field goal of the day this time from 44-yards out to extend the SAU lead yet again, 16-7.
 
After yet another defensive stand, the Blue and Gold offense took the field again but fell short of the endzone and set up for another field goal. This time though the Nitz field goal was blocked by Southeastern and returned for a touchdown to cut the Muleriders lead to just two points, 16-14. With 6:17 remaining in the contest, the Muleriders held the lead.
 
The offense then took the field again and ran the clock down to just 1:42 minutes on the clock before being forced to punt. Ethan Regier came on to punt for SAU and was able to pin the Savage Storm at their own 14-yard line forcing them to go on a long drive for a chance to win. Southeastern started their drive and were able to make it to their own 42-yardline before quarterback Colton Howard threw his third interception of the day this time to Tutt McGlothan. Tutt's interception sealed the victory for the Muleriders as the offense took the field kneeling the clock out and escaping with a win thanks to a stout defensive effort.
 
Three different Muleriders recorded interceptions in the game including, Tutt McGlothan, Braden Gunn, and Zay Woods. Eight other players also recorded a tackle for loss in the game, while Zay Woods and Ken Ellison tied for the team lead in tackles with six a piece. Hayden Nitz three made field goals also tied a career high for field goals made in a game.
 
Next Up:
The Muleriders will be back for their final game of the season inside Wilkins Stadium at Rip Powell field next Saturday, November 15th for the 100th Battle of the Timberlands against UAM. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.