SWOSU Football Game Notes | at East Central | 10.24.2026

SWOSU Football returns to action Saturday afternoon at East Central following the cancellation of last week's Southern Nazarene game. The Bulldogs enter at 2-4 after defeating Southern Arkansas 28-18 in their most recent outing on October 10.

East Central brings a 6-1 record into the matchup and is tied for second in the Great American Conference. The Tigers received 31 votes in this week's AFCA Coaches Poll and debuted at No. 22 nationally in the first-ever released NCAA Power Index (NPI) rankings.

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. from Norris Field at Koi Ishto Stadium in Ada. SWOSU has won the last two meetings, including a 38-14 victory on Homecoming last season.

SIX THINGS TO KNOW

1. BACK TO ACTIONSWOSU returns to the field after last week's Southern Nazarene game was canceled. The Bulldogs remain 2-4 following their 28-18 win over Southern Arkansas on October 10 and seek consecutive victories for the first time this season.

2. TIGERS ON THE RADAREast Central enters 6-1 and tied for second in the GAC. The Tigers received 31 votes in this week's AFCA poll and stand No. 22 nationally in the inaugural Division II NCAA Power Index rankings. SWOSU has won the last two meetings, outscoring ECU 57-17.

3. PRESSURE AND PROTECTION
SWOSU ranks third nationally with 3.5 sacks per game. ECU ranks eighth in sacks allowed at 0.57 per game, surrendering just four in seven contests. The Bulldogs have 21 sacks through six games.

4. THIRD DOWN TEST
ECU ranks 11th nationally on third down at 44-of-85 (51.8%). SWOSU ranks fourth in the GAC defensively, allowing 29-of-86 (33.7%), and held Southern Arkansas to 1-of-10 in its last outing.

5. POSSESSION COUNTS
ECU is tied for the Division II lead with 11 fumble recoveries and ranks ninth in turnover margin at plus-1.29 per game. SWOSU leads the GAC with 11 forced fumbles; ECU has lost only three.

6. KEEP IT ON THE GROUND
SWOSU has rushed for at least 215 yards in three straight games. East Central ranks 150th nationally in rushing defense, allowing 228.7 yards per game and 5.4 per carry, with 18 rushing touchdowns surrendered.

SCOUTING EAST CENTRAL

2025: 6-6 (6-5 GAC) • First Americans Bowl
Head Coach: John Litrenta (4th Season)
Preseason GAC: 6th
2026 Record: 6-1 (6-1 GAC)
AFCA: Receiving Votes

East Central enters Saturday following a 17-10 road victory over Oklahoma Baptist. The Tigers scored all 17 points in the fourth quarter, with Sergio Kennedy's 26-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds remaining providing the winning score. ECU's previous victory also came in the closing seconds, when Gabriel Ogura's 26-yard field goal lifted the Tigers past Arkansas Tech 58-56.

The Tigers rank 20th nationally in total offense at 441.4 yards per game, including 211.3 rushing and 230.1 passing. Kennedy leads the GAC and ranks 14th in Division II in total offense at 303.6 yards per game. The two-time GAC Offensive Player of the Week has thrown for 1,611 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 514 rushing yards and nine scores.

Quincy Thompson ranks third in the conference with 90.7 rushing yards per game and has scored eight rushing touchdowns. ECU has converted 51.8% of its third downs and scored on 27-of-30 red-zone trips.

Defensively, ECU ranks ninth nationally in passing yards allowed at 138.9 per game, one spot ahead of SWOSU. The Tigers allow 367.6 total yards and 30.0 points per contest, including 228.7 rushing yards per game. Caden Pickens leads the defense with 63 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.

ECU's 11 fumble recoveries are tied for the Division II lead. The Tigers have forced 14 turnovers while committing just five, producing a plus-nine turnover margin.

On special teams, Ogura is 6-for-10 on field goals with a long of 44 yards. Vincent Herrera averages 38.5 yards on 21 punts, while ECU has had three punts blocked this season.

SERIES SNAPSHOT

All-Time Series: East Central leads, 53-47-2
GAC-era: Tied, 7-7
GAC-era in Ada: SWOSU is 2-3
GAC-era in Weatherford: SWOSU is 5-4
Current Streak: SWOSU, W2
Last SWOSU Win: 2025, 38-14

Last three:
2025: W, 38-14 (Weatherford)
2024: W, 19-3 (Ada)
2023: L, 13-24 (Weatherford)

BULLDOG BITES

LIVING IN THE BACKFIELD: SWOSU leads the GAC and ranks second in Division II with 9.7 tackles for loss per game. The Bulldogs have collected 58 stops behind the line through six contests, accounting for 235 lost yards, including 11 TFLs against Southern Arkansas.

AIR COVERAGE: SWOSU ranks 10th nationally and third in the GAC in passing defense, allowing 139.5 yards per game. Five of its six opponents have finished below 180 passing yards, including Southern Arkansas with 90 in the Bulldogs' last game.

MAKING THROWS DIFFICULT: The Bulldogs rank 17th nationally and third in the GAC in defensive passing efficiency at 106.60. Opponents have completed 48.6% of their passes, with five interceptions against six passing touchdowns.

CONTAINING KENNEDY: ECU quarterback Sergio Kennedy ranks 14th nationally in total offense at 303.6 yards per game. He has thrown for 1,611 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 514 rushing yards and nine scores. SWOSU allows 296.2 total yards per game and has held opposing rushers to 3.8 yards per carry.

JACKSON BEHIND THE LINE: Keshaun Jackson ranks third nationally and second in the GAC with 2.0 tackles for loss per game. Four of his 12 TFLs came against Southern Arkansas, when he also forced a fumble on a fourth-quarter sack.

TWO OFF THE EDGE: Jackson ranks 12th nationally in sacks per game at 0.83, while Keith Hargraves is 21st at 0.75. Their combined 9.5 sacks account for nearly half of SWOSU's 21, with 62 lost yards between them.

POSSESSION IN BOTH DIRECTIONS: ECU's 11 fumble recoveries are tied for the Division II lead. SWOSU has lost five fumbles among its 11 turnovers but played turnover-free against Southern Arkansas. On the other side, the Bulldogs lead the GAC with 11 forced fumbles, while ECU has committed just five turnovers, including three lost fumbles.

HANDS UP: Jaylen Niedo's two blocked kicks are tied for third nationally. He has blocked a PAT and a field goal, while Malcolm Murphy has another field-goal block. Both field-goal blocks came against Southeastern. East Central has had three punts blocked this season.

BEASLEY FINDS THE END ZONE: DeAndre Beasley's four receiving touchdowns are tied for second in the GAC. He caught SWOSU's lone passing touchdown against Southern Arkansas and ranks fourth in the conference with 67.2 receiving yards per game.

DISRUPTION AND PROTECTION: ECU ranks third nationally in fewest tackles for loss allowed at 2.86 per contest. The Tigers have surrendered just 20 TFLs in seven games, while the Bulldogs have recorded 58 in six.

THIRD DOWN IN BOTH DIRECTIONS: ECU ranks 11th nationally in third-down offense at 51.8%, but 148th defensively at 50.0%. SWOSU converted 9-of-17 third downs against Southern Arkansas after going 2-of-14 at Henderson State. The Bulldogs are 27-of-85 (31.8%) for the season.

FINISH THE DRIVE: SWOSU has scored on 16-of-22 red-zone trips, including 13 touchdowns, while ECU has allowed touchdowns on 24-of-32 opponent red-zone possessions. At the other end, ECU has scored on 27-of-30 trips, ranking 22nd nationally at 90%. SWOSU opponents have scored on 14-of-15 red-zone possessions.

LATE RESOLUTIONS: ECU's last two victories were decided by scores in the final 30 seconds. Gabriel Ogura hit a 26-yard field goal with 10 seconds left in a 58-56 win at Arkansas Tech. Sergio Kennedy followed with a 26-yard touchdown run with 30 seconds left to beat Oklahoma Baptist 17-10.

KEEPING IT CLEAN: The Bulldogs rank 23rd nationally in fewest penalties per game at 5.17. SWOSU has been flagged 31 times for 300 yards through six contests, an average of 50.0 penalty yards per game.

LAST TIME VS. EAST CENTRAL

SWOSU answered an early 7-0 deficit with 38 unanswered points to defeat East Central 38-14 on Homecoming last season in Weatherford.

MJ Rivers threw four touchdown passes, including three to Baylor Nash, whose scoring catches covered 26, 29 and 46 yards. Nash finished with six receptions for 146 yards, while Red Martel added a five-yard touchdown run before halftime. Rivers completed 13-of-15 passes for 227 yards.

The Bulldogs outgained ECU 453-237, held a 22-12 advantage in first downs and controlled possession for 36:05. SWOSU finished with 194 rushing yards and 259 passing yards while converting 8-of-17 third downs.

Defensively, SWOSU collected four sacks, forced two turnovers and held the Tigers to 1-of-12 on third down. Zack Roberts led the Bulldogs with eight tackles and an interception. ECU's touchdowns came on passes of 74 and 55 yards from Sergio Kennedy to Brooks Rigney.