WEATHERFORD – SWOSU threw for a season high 256 yards but fell 30-15 on Homecoming to Southeastern Oklahoma State.
The Dawgs scored on a 72-yard pass and catch from Tate Robards to Julian Stratford just before halftime, and got within two scores late following a Keyshawn Walls rushing score – but could not produce enough scoring to catch Southeastern on the scoreboard.
Straford's touchdown, his first of the season, came with just eight seconds remaining in the half. Robards caught him in stride down the sideline at around the 50-yard line and Stratford did the rest. It put SWOSU within striking distance heading into the break, trailing just 9-7.
Southeastern forced a safety on the first play of the game and added a touchdown drive on their following drive of the first quarter before getting held scoreless the rest of the half. They regrouped at halftime though, putting up 21 third quarter points which proved to be enough.
Walls' first rushing touchdown of the year came with 6:28 left to play in the game. Completions to Jax Smith for gains of 12 and 46 moved the ball down the field, and Walls eventually punched it in. A successful two-point conversion put the score at 30-15 where it remained the rest of the game.
The Dawgs thought they were getting the ball back with a three-and-out right after the score, but a penalty on the Southeastern punt kept the Savage Storm drive alive and ruined any chance at a further comeback.
Robards played a significant portion of the game on Saturday. He finished 13-for-25 through the air for 229 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.
Southeastern totaled 436 yards on offense, compared to the Dawgs' 290. SWOSU committed a season high 10 penalties for 104 yards. The Storm had eight for 65 yards.
Southeastern also controlled the ball for much of the game with over 39 minutes of time of possession.
Smith caught five passes for 96 yards. Stratford hauled in four for 94. Elijah Reed caught five for 44.
Keshaun Jackson (11) and Logan Monroe (10) combined for 21 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Desmond Greene intercepted his sixth pass of the season in the first quarter.
SWOSU (2-6) will remain at home next week and play host to Southern Arkansas in week nine. Kickoff for that game (Nov. 2) will come at 2:00.
