MAGNOLIA, Ark. – SWOSU Football scored on its final play of regulation and needed a successful two-point conversion to force overtime, but the attempt was stopped short — resulting in a 14-12 loss to (RV) Southern Arkansas on Saturday afternoon at Wilkins Stadium.
The Bulldog's defense was the story of the day, limiting SAU to just 156 yards of total offense — the fewest allowed by SWOSU in a decade (152 vs. SNU in 2015). The Dawgs also held the Muleriders, who entered as the conference's second-best rushing team, to just 46 yards on the ground — a season low — at just 2.6 yards per carry.
SWOSU also won the turnover battle 2-1 with a pair of first-half fumble recoveries and surrendered just one offensive score all day. Their lone turnover proved costly, however, as a third-down red zone pass was intercepted by SAU early in the fourth quarter to end a promising drive.
SAU opened the scoring on its first possession, using big plays of 23 and 43 yards to reach the end zone and take an early lead. From there, the Bulldog defense adjusted and allowed no similar drives the rest of the way.
The biggest blow came on special teams. After cutting the deficit to 7-6 on Ethan McBee's second field goal of the game, the ensuing kickoff was returned 93 yards for a Mulerider touchdown — their only score of the second half and what ultimately stood as the game-winner.
Down 14-6, the Bulldogs controlled possession the rest of the way but couldn't cash in until their final drive. With 7:39 remaining, SWOSU marched 80 yards on 16 plays and capped the drive with an MJ Rivers touchdown pass to Isaac Norris in the back of the end zone with just four seconds left. The two-point conversion to tie was stopped on a Rivers keeper to the right side, ending the upset bid.
The Dawgs forced punts on all three SAU possessions in the second half, holding them to just 45 total yards after halftime. In total, they forced seven punts and five three-and-outs on the day.
SWOSU dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 43:43 compared to SAU's 16:17, and ran 83 plays to the Muleriders' 36.
The offense totaled 354 yards, going 7-for-20 on third down and 2-for-4 on fourth. Rivers finished 20-of-30 for 220 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while Baylor Nash led all receivers with four catches for 52 yards. On the ground, Red Martel carried 18 times for 77 yards as part of SWOSU's 134-yard rushing effort.
Defensively, Justus Conway and Jalen Bryant each recorded four tackles. Conway also forced a fumble that SWOSU recovered, while Bryant added two tackles for loss, including a nine-yard sack. Delmontre Pryor forced the Bulldogs' second fumble of the day.
