Box Score (html)
MONTICELLO, Ark. – A fourth-quarter comeback for the third consecutive week was not in the cards for the SWOSU Football team on Saturday night as they were defeated 33-14 by Arkansas-Monticello at Willis "Convoy" Leslie Cotton Bowl Stadium.
Miscues and inconsistency plagued the Bulldogs throughout. After driving 88 yards in 10 plays on their opening drive to score on a 7-yard run by
Karl Hodge, SWOSU's defense forced a stop of the Boll Weevils but a roughing the punter penalty enabled the drive to continue. UAM would capitalize by finishing off the drive with a touchdown, getting to within one at 7-6 after
Devin Benton blocked the extra point.
Starting quarterback
Tim Morovick was banged up on the next drive and with SWOSU trailing 9-7,
Ryley Claborn came in for one series, in which he was intercepted by UAM's Mike Early, who returned the pick 23 yards to paydirt and put the Weevils on top 16-7. UAM added a field goal right before halftime to take a 19-7 lead to the intermission.
Klark Ashmore became the fourth quarterback to play for SWOSU when he took the reins of the Bulldog offense for the second half. After going three-and-out on his first possession, Ashmore led the Bulldogs deep in the red zone before a pass intended for
Brad Smithey was intercepted in the end zone. The next drive, SWOSU got the ball moving on the ground, taking it 82 yards in eight plays before
Matt Farris found the end zone from three yards out to make the score 26-14 UAM late in the third quarter.
Trailing by 12 entering the fourth quarter is not a new position for the Bulldogs, who overcame double-digit deficits in each of their past two games, but it wasn't to be on this night as they turned the ball over three times in the fourth quarter.
Steven Townsley, the defensive player responsible for game-changing plays in the fourth quarter over the past two weeks, had his chance at an interception but was unable to hang on and give a spark from the defensive side.
In total, four quarterbacks combined to complete just 7-of-25 passes for 95 yards and three interceptions. Morovick threw for 55 yards, including a 47-yard completion to
X'zavious Harrison on the opening drive. Ashmore finished 4-for-16 for 33 and two interceptions in his collegiate debut. SWOSU's strength was on the ground, where Hodge rushed for 99 yards and a TD to lead the way.
Cameron Nix carried the ball nine times for 77 yards out of the wildcat package and Farris added 57 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
Tanner Thompson led the SWOSU defense with eight tackles while
Kapena Olsen and
Austin Loomis added seven apiece. Benton added to his national lead with two tackles for loss, both sacks that totaled 13 yards.
Collier Ward also had two sacks while
Kale Sawatzky had one as well.
SWOSU falls to 2-2 overall and in Great American Conference play heading into a matchup next Saturday at Ouachita Baptist where they will play for the Paul Sharp Cup.
