The Bulldogs enter Week Six of the schedule at 2-3 and will face Southern Arkansas on the road Saturday in a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.

SWOSU is coming off a 35-32 loss to Henderson State last weekend. The Bulldogs led 17-7 at halftime but were outgained 215-3 in the third quarter and were forced to make a late push that came up just short.

For the second straight week, SWOSU's opponent is receiving votes in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Poll. Southern Arkansas enters at 4-1, which includes a win over a previously ranked and unbeaten Henderson State team prior to the Bulldogs' matchup with the Reddies.

The Muleriders defeated Northwestern Oklahoma State 42-16 in Week Five and will host SWOSU for their Homecoming on Saturday.

Two main storylines headline the week: head coach Andrew Rice returns to Magnolia, and the Bulldogs aim to win there for the first time in program history. Rice, now in his second year at the helm, spent two seasons (2022-23) as SAU's offensive coordinator before taking over in Weatherford.

In last year's meeting, SWOSU fell 48-14 at home following a two-hour rain delay. SAU returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, and after SWOSU tied it 7-7 two possessions later, the Muleriders controlled the game the rest of the way.

Since joining the Great American Conference, SWOSU is 2-11 against Southern Arkansas. Both wins have come in Weatherford, leaving the Bulldogs 0-7 all-time in Magnolia.

Offensively, the Bulldogs have found a rhythm. SWOSU has averaged 35 points per game over its last three outings — a sharp turnaround after scoring just 10 and 0 points in the first two weeks.

Much of that uptick can be credited to quarterback MJ Rivers' production. After going without a touchdown pass in the first two games, Rivers has thrown seven over the last three, including at least two in each contest and three last week against Henderson State.

On the ground, Rivers has scored a rushing touchdown in each of the last two games and totaled 207 yards combined against Oklahoma Baptist and Henderson State. Despite being limited to 38 yards last week, Red Martel still ranks fourth in the GAC among running backs with 76.2 rushing yards per game. As a team, SWOSU averages 205.6 rushing yards per game — third in the conference, trailing only Harding and this week's opponent, Southern Arkansas.

Defensively, SWOSU was held without a takeaway against Henderson State after forcing five over the previous two games, including a pick-six in each. The Bulldogs' five interceptions this season are tied for fifth in the conference, alongside SAU. Five different SWOSU defenders have come away with an INT this season. SWOSU's pass defense has limited opponents to 172.6 yards per game, also fifth-best in the league. Zack Roberts leads the Bulldogs with 30 total tackles, ranking 12th in the GAC, while Felipe Tristan — despite missing one game due to injury — sits 18th in the league with 25 tackles.

The Muleriders' offense leads the GAC with 120 first downs this season (24.0 per game), while the Bulldogs have allowed a league-high 23 per game. SAU's defense leads the conference with 14 sacks, but SWOSU's offensive line has allowed just two all season — the second fewest in the GAC.

Both teams are among the league's least penalized, with SAU ranking second (48.6 yards per game) and SWOSU third (55.0).