Muleriders Claim Season Opener over Bison

MAGNOLIA, AR - Southern Arkansas benefited from a few Oklahoma Baptist miscues and took advantage of them, resulting in 49-14 victory on Thursday in Great American Conference play.
 
Early on, SAU made it to the red zone on its first drive, but Noah Loyd forced quarterback Hezekiah Harris into a fumble on the goal line which was recovered by Triston De La Rosa.
 
After OBU was unable to capitalize, Katrevion Thomas of the Muleriders punched in a 19-yard touchdown run up the middle with 4:55 on the block. This began the onslaught of points and crippling defense for the hosts. Quarterback Chad Mascoe II started pushing the pace to end the first quarter, moving down the field quickly. However, an interception at the SAU 21-yard line kept the score at 7-0 heading to the second stanza.
 
Beginning in the second quarter, the SAU offense once again converted scoring on a 26-yard connection from quarterback Adam Parker to Cole Cory. Another OBU turnover followed, this time in a sack-fumble forced by Ken Ellison, leading to a 1-yard touchdown run by Arkez Gomez, making the lead grow to 21-0. Following a few punts from each team, the Muleriders capped off the half with a Jacob Trussel 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown grab from Harris, going up 28-0 at the break.
 
The Bison came out of the half determined, scoring on their first drive through a 21-yard pass from Mascoe to Hadyn Thornton. After forcing a punt, OBU seemed to be gaining momentum, and SAU could feel it. So, they responded with an interception from Bryson Boulden, followed by a Parker touchdown pass to Jace Taylor, pushing the lead to 35-7.
 
Clinging to the hope of winning, OBU drove down the field to the end of the third and finished the drive on the second play of the fourth. Another Mascoe TD pass, this time a 28-yarder to a leaping Charles Whitebear, making it 35-14. The hosts added two more scores, including a 99-yard pick six from from Tutt McGlothan, thus giving the final score of 49-14.
 
Mascoe II finished with 281 yards passing and two scores while Nick Harris and Deuce Wise combined for 10 catches for 107 yards. Wise also led OBU's rushing efforts with 39 net yards and a 3.5 yard-per-carry average.
 
Defensively, newcomer Caleb Giles led the team with 11 tackles while Loyd, Brady Luff, Maddux Boyd and Bryson Cornelious all forced fumbles. Plus, Luff and Colt Humphrey each added 2.0 tackles-for-loss.
 
The Bison will set their sights on Henderson State in Shawnee on September 13 at 7:00 p.m.