SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist football struggled to find its offensive footing against a stout Southwestern Oklahoma State defense in a 28-7 loss in Great American Conference Action on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Crain Family Stadium at the Hurt Complex.
The Bison (2-2, 2-2 GAC) fell behind early, but tied the game on a defensive touchdown before the Bulldogs (1-3, 1-3 GAC) scored 21 unanswered points to earn their first win of the season.
Southwestern opened the game with an explosive 58-yard pass from Braxton Etheridge to Deandre Beasley to set itself up in scoring position, and took a 7-0 lead when Duce Hart scored from 17 yards out on the next play.
After neither team was able to score on the ensuing five possessions,
Carter Lowry was able to pin the Bulldogs deep with a 48-yard punt that went out of bounds at the SWOSU four-yard line.
Three plays later,
Richard Smith chased Etheridge down from behind and forced a fumble that
Sean Larry picked up and returned 15 yards for a score to tie things at 7-7 with 2:58 to go in the opening frame.
Southwestern took the lead for good on a 19-yard strike from Etheridge to Beasley with 12:22 to go in the first half to make it 14-7.
The Bulldogs struck again just before the end of the half when Etheridge found Baylor Nash in the corner of the end zone for an eight-yard score with 34 seconds remaining and take a 21-7 lead into the locker room.
Jacob Trimble gave the Bison life with a 52-yard kick return to open the second half, but OBU's drive stalled out at the SWOSU 34 yard line when Bricker failed to connect with
Kai Helton on fourth down with 11:30 on the clock.
The Bison defense came up with a goal line stand after a Bricker interception gave the Bulldogs the ball deep in OBU territory, but Oklahoma Baptist was unable to take advantage on its next drive and was forced to punt the ball back to the visitors.
Southwestern took advantage with another strike from Etheridge to Nash in the waning seconds to make the final 28-7.
The Bulldogs held Oklahoma Baptist to just 126 total yards thanks to six sacks and 10 tackles-for-loss. SWOSU also had two interceptions, four pass breakups, and six quarterback hurries.
Southwestern's offense rushed for 215 yards, while Etheridge completed 15-of-20 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
OBU's defense recorded three sacks and nine tackles-for-loss.
Brady Luff posted a career-high 11 tackles, while
Richard Smith and
Robert Waters Jr. added 10 apiece.
George Getanda and
Jackson Copeland each finished with nine tackles, with Getanda adding a tackle-for-loss.
OBU's defense put forth a solid showing with three sacks of its own and nine tackles-for-loss.
Oklahoma Baptist returns home to take on Ouachita Baptist on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. for The Weekend at Crain Family Stadium.
