MONTICELLO, Ark. – Two safeties in favor of the Bulldogs was not enough, as SWOSU falls on the road against Arkansas-Monticello 18-16.
 
In a game that was almost delayed due to lightning, it was sloppy, wet conditions for the Bulldogs and the Boll Weevils in this one and it seemed to benefit SWOSU from the get go. Early in the 1^st quarter, Arkansas-Monticello lined up for a punt deep in their own territory. A bad snap took the ball beyond the punter and SWOSU had its first points of the game by way of safety.
 
The very next drive the Bulldogs marched right down the field to score their first touchdown of the game and give themselves and firm grip on the game early. It was a ten-play drive in which Kenny Graham ran the ball six times for 49 yards, including his 31-yard scamper that ended in six. He would also get the carry on the Bulldogs' two-point conversion attempt but would fail to get into the end zone that time.
 
The Boll Weevils would score twice in the second quarter, but fail on both of their two-point conversion attempts to give the game an awkward score going into the half with SWOSU trailing 12-8.
 
Monticello would be the first to strike in the second half, giving themselves an 18-8 lead in the middle of the third on a two-yard touchdown run from Quarterback Demilon Brown. The Bulldogs would block the extra point however, and keep it a ten-point game.
 
Two drives later, SWOSU would force another Monticello punt deep in their own territory and it was like Deja-vu all over again for the Boll Weevil special teams unit. The snap flew over the punter's head for the second time on the day and once again resulted in a safety for SWOSU.
 
Tanner Griffin and the offense would get the ball back early in the 4^th quarter down by eight with a chance to tie the game. Griffin who missed last week due to injury and was clearly not back to his best self quite yet, led the Bulldogs right down the field in just over two minute's time and a Nate Davis "Wild Bulldog" run put SWOSU within two points.
 
The Bulldogs failed to convert on its third second two-point conversion attempt of the game however, and remained two points down. Monticello would eventually put together a 13 play, 55 yard, and 6:50 minute drive to seal the game.
 
Defensive Coordinator Colin McQuillan's squad continues to improve week by week. They only allowed 18 points and 315 total yards this week, the lowest totals in both categories on the season.
 
They also forced two turnovers, both coming backed up in their own red zone. They were unlucky not to come away with more, as the Boll Weevils fumbled six different times on the night, but only lost one of them.
 
Orlando Brown once again led the Bulldogs in tackles with 11 total, including an assist on a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. The team as a whole had seven tackles for loss, the most they've had in a game this season.
 
In his return from injury, Quarterback Tanner Griffin appeared limited and so Head Coach Chet Pobolish and Offensive Coordinator Tyler Hennes turned to their stable of running backs to help the offense. Kenny Graham picked up his first touchdown of the year and Nate Davis acquired his first rushing touchdown of the year.
 
SWOSU will hope Griffin and the offense can get back to full strength next week when they host Ouachita Baptist at Flex-Chem Field for SWOSU Saturday. Kickoff will be at 2:00 pm.