ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – SWOSU Football answered (rv) Ouachita Baptist twice with long touchdown drives, but the Tigers used explosive plays to repeatedly move back in front before creating separation in the fourth quarter of Saturday's 31-14 Paul Sharp Cup matchup.
The Bulldogs erased deficits of 7-0 and 14-7 with scoring drives covering 75 and 97 yards. The two possessions combined for 31 plays and more than 17 minutes, with the latter tying the game at 14-14 late in the third quarter.
Ouachita produced 256 of its 373 total yards on 10 big plays, including gains that fueled each of its first three touchdowns. The Tigers then pulled away with a nine-play, 61-yard drive midway through the fourth quarter and a late field goal following a SWOSU turnover.
Ouachita struck first on a 50-yard touchdown run before SWOSU responded with a methodical 13-play, 75-yard drive. The Bulldogs converted three third downs and held the ball for 7:32 before Dante Dean scored from eight yards out to tie the game at 7-7.
SWOSU's defense kept the score even by forcing two fumbles early in the second quarter. Madox Sekyere forced the first near the goal line, with Justus Conway recovering at the Bulldog 5-yard line. Conway forced another on Ouachita's next possession, and Kelton Moore recovered near midfield.
The Bulldogs returned the ball on the following play, however, and Ouachita used a 49-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-7 lead into halftime.
Damion Dunn intercepted a third-down pass at the SWOSU 3-yard line early in the second half. Despite facing the length of the field, the Bulldogs responded with their most impressive possession of the afternoon.
SWOSU converted three third downs and two fourth downs during an 18-play, 97-yard march that consumed 9:39. Braxton Etheridge finished it with a 1-yard touchdown run to even the score at 14-14 with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter.
Ouachita regained the lead less than two minutes later, using gains of 26 and 20 yards to move back in front before the end of the period.
Dunn's second interception stopped another scoring threat at the SWOSU 11-yard line early in the fourth, but the Bulldogs were unable to capitalize. Ouachita followed with a nine-play, 61-yard touchdown drive to extend the margin to 28-14 with 4:31 remaining. A late SWOSU fumble led to a field goal that produced the final score.
SWOSU forced a season-high four turnovers but committed three of its own. The Bulldogs converted one takeaway into a touchdown, while Ouachita turned two SWOSU turnovers into 10 points.
The Bulldogs finished with 314 yards and 21 first downs while holding possession for 33:22. SWOSU converted 7-of-15 third downs and 2-of-3 fourth downs, compared to Ouachita's 3-of-8 mark on third down.
Etheridge completed 21-of-33 passes for 192 yards and added a rushing touchdown. DeAndre Beasley caught six passes for 60 yards, Michael Doctor added six receptions for 55 yards and Duce Hart led the rushing attack with 40 yards.
Keith Hargraves and Sekyere paced the defense with seven tackles apiece. Hargraves added 1.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries, while Sekyere forced a fumble and broke up a pass. Jaylen Niedo recorded a sack.
The loss snapped SWOSU's three-game winning streak and moved the Bulldogs to 4-5.
SWOSU returns home Saturday, November 14 to host Northwestern Oklahoma State at 3 p.m. at Flex-Chem Field.
