WEATHERFORD – SWOSU Football scored 21 unanswered points in just over five minutes during the fourth quarter to pull away from Southern Arkansas for a 28-18 victory Saturday at Flex-Chem Field.
The Bulldogs trailed 10-7 entering the final period before touchdowns from Red Martel and Duce Hart, along with a 43-yard interception return by Kelton Moore, turned the game in SWOSU's favor. The win improved the Bulldogs to 2-4 and gave Head Coach Andrew Rice his first victory over his former program, where he previously served as offensive coordinator.
SWOSU rushed for 243 yards, its third consecutive game with at least 215, while limiting Southern Arkansas to 278 total yards - the second-fewest allowed by the Bulldogs this season. The GAC's leading pass rush added three sacks and helped hold the Muleriders to three first-half passing yards. Southern Arkansas had only 24 through the air before gaining 66 on its final two possessions with SWOSU protecting an 18-point lead.
Southern Arkansas scored on its opening possession, but SWOSU answered with a methodical 17-play, 84-yard drive that consumed nearly eight minutes. Braxton Etheridge capped the march with an 18-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Beasley, tying the game early in the second quarter.
The score remained 7-7 at halftime before a Southern Arkansas field goal put SWOSU behind late in the third. The Bulldogs appeared ready to answer when Charles Mutter broke free for a 59-yard run to the SAU 6. He carried on the next four plays as well, but the Muleriders stopped him at the 1 on fourth-and-goal.
SWOSU's defense answered by holding Southern Arkansas to 10 yards before a punt gave the ball back to the Bulldogs.
The game turned on the ensuing possession. Etheridge appeared to lose a fumble on a third-down run and exited following the play, but targeting was confirmed against Southern Arkansas upon review. The penalty allowed SWOSU to retain possession at the SAU 14, and Martel scored two carries later to put the Bulldogs ahead 14-10 with 7:08 remaining.
Moore stretched the lead just 25 seconds later when he stepped in front of a pass and returned the interception 43 yards for a touchdown. Keshaun Jackson then forced a fumble on a sack during Southern Arkansas' next possession, and Jaylen Niedo recovered it at the SAU 39.
The Bulldogs kept the ball on the ground following the takeaway, running six consecutive times while draining more than three minutes from the clock. Hart finished the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 28-10 with 2:01 remaining and completing SWOSU's run of 21 points in 5:07.
Southern Arkansas added a touchdown and two-point conversion in the closing moments for the final margin.
SWOSU finished with a 355-278 advantage in total offense, converted 9-of-17 third downs and held possession for nearly 36 minutes. The Bulldogs totaled 10 tackles for loss and two takeaways.
Etheridge completed 19-of-26 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Mutter led the rushing attack with 99 yards on 13 carries, while Hart added 51 yards and a score and Martel finished with 47 yards and a touchdown. Beasley led the receiving corps with four catches for 25 yards and a score.
Jackson paced the defense with eight tackles, including four behind the line of scrimmage, and added a sack and forced fumble. Madox Sekyere recorded seven tackles, while Moore had six stops in addition to his pick-six.
The Bulldogs (2-4) remain home on a short week to host Southern Nazarene on Thursday, October 15. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Flex-Chem Field.
