WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Five turnovers on a dreary Saturday afternoon in the Natural State spoiled SWOSU's chances against (RV) Southern Arkansas, as the Bulldogs fell to the Muleriders 41-10.
For a second week in a row, SWOSU saw success moving the football and finished with 280 yards on offense. They nearly outgained the Muleriders, who ended with 329 yards which was bolstered by a final drive to get them over the 300-mark.
Running back Dexter Brown was a big reason for the success. He finished with a career high 139 yards on the ground and averaged 6.0 yards per rush.
The defense limited the Muleriders' rushing attack to 60 yards below their season average and held dual-threat quarterback OB Jones to just 96 yards passing and 37 yards rushing. The two-time GAC Player of the Week was averaging triple digits on the ground for the Muleriders entering the day.
The offensive problem for the Dawgs wasn't gaining yards, it was maintaining possession. SWOSU's first three turnovers of the game came on SAU's side of the field when potential points could have been available.
Southern Arkansas opened the game up on a 14-play, 68-yard touchdown drive. They added a field goal early in the second quarter and led 10-0 before turnovers started coming into play.
A sack fumble in the second quarter eliminated SWOSU's first scoring threat.
Later in the quarter, after RJ Powell forced a fumble which was recovered by Richard Silva to get the ball back, the Muleriders intercepted Calvin Cloud's third down pass in the end zone to again keep SWOSU off the scoreboard.
SAU did not score off that turnover on the ensuring drive but did get the ball back again before the half ended and added another touchdown. Southern Arkansas led 17-0 at halftime.
A pair of pivotal moments flipped the game's momentum after the break.
SWOSU got the ball to start the second half and drove down the field again. A 32-yard catch from Taylor Tosches put the Dawgs in good shape, and Dexter Brown thought he scored four plays later until a penalty negated the six points. SWOSU had to instead settle for a field goal. Score: 17-3, with 10:50 to play in the third quarter.
After the Bulldog defense forced a punt, SWOSU again moved the ball down the field and was deep in the red zone when disaster struck. A jump ball in the end zone fell into a Mulerider defender's hands and was returned 100 yards the other way for a touchdown. Instead of a 17-10 score, the Muleriders led 24-3.
SWOSU scored the next drive to answer on a three-yard catch from Jacob Karsak, his first touchdown grab of the season, but it would be the final points for the visitors on the day.
SAU kicked another field goal and then recovered a fumble and intercepted another pass on back-to-back fourth quarter possessions which both led to touchdowns and allowed the game to be put out of reach. Final, 41-10.
SWOSU and SAU combined for 20 penalties on the day. The Dawgs were responsible for 12 of those, marking a season high.
The final home game of 2023 awaits SWOSU next weekend. The Bulldogs will host (RV) Henderson State on Senior Day. Kickoff for that game is set for 2:00 p.m.
