WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders fell to the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs on a windy day in Weatherford, Oklahoma today by a final score of 18-28.
The Bulldogs won the toss and deferred to the second half as the Blue and Gold got to take the first shot on offense.
Drew Davis and the offense took full advantage of their first opportunity of the game as
Drew Davis kept the drive alive not once but twice notching a 52-yard rush on third down and a 21-yard rush on third down. The drive was capped off as
Arkez Gomez notched his fifth rushing touchdown of the year and first one of the game as SAU took an early 7-0 lead.
The Muleriders defense played tough for the remainder of the first quarter as the offense struggled after their first drive. The Bulldogs opened the second quarter with a touchdown to knot the game at 7-7 with 13:49 remaining. The two teams continued to exchange defensive stops as the game began to show shades of last season's matchup. At halftime, the two squads were knotted at 7-7.
SWOSU received the ball to begin the second half, but the Muleriders quickly shut their first drive down as they took over. The offensive struggles continued as both teams were stout defensively. The Muleriders were finally able to take the lead back with 3:40 remaining in the third quarter as
Cooper Denehie converted on a 25-yard field goal to give SAU a 10-7 lead.
The Bulldogs took their ensuing drive down to the SAU one yard line but yet again the Mulerider defense stood tall as
Dailon Ellis made a huge fourth down stop to stuff the Bulldogs quarterback at the one-yard line and give the Muleriders offense the ball back.
Backed into the shadow of their own endzone,
Katrevion Thomas took a rush five yards to end the third quarter as the teams headed to the fourth with Southern Arkansas leading 10-7.
The Bulldogs took their first lead of the day with 7:08 remaining in the fourth quarter after and 11 play drive going up 14-10. SAU got the ball back, but an interception returned for a touchdown tacked onto the lead for the bulldogs as they jumped out to a 21-10 lead with 6:43 remaining. The Muleriders began to drive down the field but another turnover on a sack fumble stalled the Muleriders drive giving the Bulldogs the ball back with 5:43 to go. The Bulldogs went up 28-10 with 1:54 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Collin Hitchcock came into the game and lit an offensive spark for the Muleriders leading a four play 62- yard scoring drive capped off by a 24-yard touchdown pass to
Kolby Thomas. Collin Hitchcock then called his own number for the two-point conversion punching it in to pull SAU within 10, 28-18 with 1:25 remaining. The Muleriders lined up a kickoff and recovered their onside kick giving the Muleriders a chance with just 1:25 remaining. Despite getting the ball back, the SWOSU defense stood tall yet again as the Muleriders fell on the road in Weatherford.
Individual Performances
James Ladner: 12 total tackles
Kyle Knox: 11 tackles, 1 PBU
Peyton Sellers: 11 tackles
Dailon Ellis: 7 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1.5 TFL
Kolby Thomas: 2 catches, 52 yards, 1 receiving touchdown
Drew Davis: 91 rushing yards
Collin Hitchcock: 66 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown
Up next
The Muleriders will be back in action on Saturday, October 17th in Russellville, Arkansas as they prepare for the Arkansas Tech University Wonder Boys. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.
