MAGNOLIA, Ark. – The Southern Arkansas University Muleriders exacted their revenge over the East Central University Tigers with a big win inside Wilkins Stadium by a final score of 45-17 on a gloomy Halloween afternoon. The Muleriders win was aided by a heroic effort in the second half as they pitched a shutout against East Central.
The Muleriders got the game started with a bang as
Cooper Sanders returned the opening kickoff 66-yards to the East Central 22-yard line. Two plays later,
Arkez Gomez punched in a 16-yard rushing touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead. The Tigers took the field looking for a score of their own, but the Mulerider defense set the tone early with a three and out to give SAU the ball right back. After the ECU defense got a stop of their own on the ensuing Mulerider possession, the Tigers offense drove the field tying the game at 7-7 with 9:04 to go in the first quarter.
A 12-play drive for the Muleriders was capped off by a 37-yard field goal from
Cooper Denehie, as SAU took a 10-7 lead with 3:02 remaining. East Central began their next drive and mounted a long one as they tied the game at 10-10 with 10:30 remaining before halftime. After knotting the game at 10-10, the Muleriders' offense got the ball back yet again and mounted a drive of their own as
Ryan Shackleton connected with
Isaac Norris on for a 27-yard catch and run to the end zone putting the Muleriders up 17-10 with 7:52 to go before the break. A defensive stand for SAU on the ensuing Tigers' drive gave the offense the ball right back with 5:21 to go with a chance to extend their lead. The Muleriders were able to take full advantage of the opportunity as
Torey Lambert broke off a 60-yard run for a touchdown extending the Mulerider lead to 24-10 with 2:06 remaining.
East Central responded immediately, as Tyler Akers returned the ensuing kickoff 92-yards for a kick return touchdown, as the Tigers pulled within seven points before the half, 24-17. After halftime, ECU received the opening kickoff, but the SAU defense came up with a big time three and out, giving the Muleriders the ball back. The two teams traded defensive stops for the majority of the third quarter, but SAU broke the ice in the second half scoring as
Ryan Shackleton called his own number punching the ball in from two yards out putting the Muleriders up 31-17 with 4:38 remaining.
After another stop to end the third quarter for the Mulerider defense, the fourth quarter began as SAU had the ball again on offense with a chance to yet again extend their lead.
Katrevion Thomas this time punched in a nine-yard rushing touchdown of his own as SAU went up 38-17. Another three and out for the Mulerider defense this time set the offense up with a chance to put the game completely out of hand. Senior running back
Arkez Gomez did just that taking a rush 65-yards for a touchdown, as he also eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the day putting SAU up 45-17. The Tigers would drive late in the fourth quarter, but the SAU defense was too overwhelming today in their effort as SAU took the senior day contest exacting their revenge over the Tigers after last season's loss in Ada while also putting up a season high in points this season.
The defense had one of their best efforts of the season as they held ECU quarterback Sergio Kennedy to just 68 passing yards down from his season average of 234.3 passing yards per game. SAU also held the Tigers well under their season average 204.8 rushing yards as the Tigers totaled just 96-yards on the ground in the contest. The SAU offense totaled 271 rushing yards well over their season average of 187.4
Individual Performances
Arkez Gomez: 8 carries, 102 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 65-yard rushing touchdown
Ryan Shackleton: 17-for-25, 154 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 10 rushes, 72 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown
Isaac Norris: 2 receptions, 38 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
Peyton Sellers: 7 total tackles
Jamarion Citizen: 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack
Dailon Ellis: 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack
Up Next
The Muleriders will return to action next week as they travel to Durant, Oklahoma for a contest against the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm on Saturday, November 7th at 2:00 PM.
