WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Football was one play away from a victory on Homecoming following a tremendous performance by the defense, but the night was spoiled on a game winning, walk-off field goal by Arkansas Tech who knocked home a 20-yard field goal as time expired to win it 9-7.
The Bulldogs held the Wonder Boys scoreless for the first three quarters of the game until Tech finally broke through with nine points in the final 15 minutes to complete the comeback. With 7:58 to play in the game, SWOSU had – at the time – a huge blocked point-after try (PAT) on special teams following Tech's touchdown which preserved the lead, but the eventual field goal by the visitors finally allowed them to overtake the Dawgs on the scoreboard.
This is now the third straight year SWOSU has suffered a go-ahead field goal in the closing seconds at the hands of the Wonder Boys.
SWOSU's defense limited the third best passing offense in the GAC to 189 yards through the air and withstood 44 rushes for just 104 yards. That's just 2.4 yards per rush. The 293 total yards allowed represents a season best, same as the nine points surrendered.
A pair of turnovers were key for SWOSU in building and maintaining the lead throughout the first three quarters.
A first quarter sack fumble by
RJ Powell on the Tech 14-yard line had the Dawgs immediately threatening and they cashed in three plays later on a 12-yard diving pass and catch from
Sean Shelby to
Taylor Tosches in the corner of the end zone. That score put the Bulldogs in front 7-0 with 6:36 to play in the opening quarter.
Powell had himself a night. He finished with a team high 11 tackles (8s-3a) and added 2.5 sacks and that forced fumble.
Then, with 2:19 to play in the third quarter and Tech threatening on the Bulldog side of the 50-yard line,
Cameron Guyton rushed quarterback Taye Gatewood on first down and made contact in his throwing motion which sent the football wobbling into the air and straight into
Freddie Mango's hands for the interception.
Tech orchestrated a 13 play, 65-yard drive that spanned over seven minutes of game time in the fourth quarter to finally get on the board with 7:58 to play. They thought they tied the game, but
Diondre Scott blocked the extra point off the edge and the score sat at 7-6 in favor of the Dawgs.
After SWOSU punted on the ensuing drive, Tech got the ball back with 4:18 remaining in the game and moved down the field and into field goal range to kick a chip-shot field goal to win it. The Dawgs had the Wonder Boys to a fourth down and eight but surrendered a 22-yard pass down the sideline which extended the drive. The play was reviewed to see if the receiver caught the pass in bounds, but the referees allowed the play to stand and SWOSU's time on defense continued and the rest is history.
While the defense shined, SWOSU's offense faced challenges. The Bulldogs totaled 67 yards on the night, a season low, with 62 yards passing and five on the ground. They achieved three first downs and went 2-of-10 (20%) on third downs.
Sean Shelby, making his first start at quarterback, finished 8-for-14 with his touchdown to Tosches and an interception.
Other top performers on defense included
Logan Monroe who tied with Powell with 11 tackles. Mango (5s-5a) and
Mason Daugherty (5s-5a) added 10 tackles each.
SWOSU will remain at home next Saturday, October 14, and will play host to Oklahoma Baptist. That game kicks off at 2:00 pm in the first home afternoon game of the season.
