SWOSU Readies for ENMU
September 3, 2009
WEATHERFORD, Okla. -- Southwestern Oklahoma State University will play in front of its home crowd for the first time this season as the Bulldogs host Eastern New Mexico University.
The Bulldogs, under the direction of new coach Dan Cocannouer, will be looking to start fresh after a disappointing 48-17 loss in the season's first week at Emporia State.
SWOSU's game against Eastern is the first of six home games at Milam Stadium this year.
The Bulldogs will again feature offensively the pass-and-catch tandem of quarterback Steve Day and Johnathan Haggerty. The two seniors have etched their name in the school record books in a number of categories. Day is the school's all-time leader in passes completed (465), attempted (916), yards (5,425) and touchdowns (38). Haggerty ranks second on the school's all-time receiving charts with 122 catches for 2,047 yards. He needs just 16 catches for 153 yards to pass Chase Pratt (2002-2005) in both career categories.
SWOSU also got an offensive spark from running back J.R. Hammond who in his first action as a college player rushed for 98 yards on 21 carries, including scoring on a 38-yard touchdown run.
Defensively, SWOSU has been led by linebacker Jaron Burgess and defensive back Shane Scott. Burgess, the team's top returning tackler from 2008, had 12 tackles against Emporia State and intercepted a pass in the endzone stopping a Hornet scoring drive. Scott, who missed all but two games last year with an injury, showed just how effective he is when healthy finishing with 10 tackles.
Eastern New Mexico is certain to test SWOSU defensively as the Greyhounds set an NCAA Division II record in their last game by attempting 78 passes. Quarterback J.J. Harp completed 45 passes for 513 yards but was intercepted five times in a 28-23 loss at CSU-Pueblo.
SWOSU will continue its Lone Star Conference crossover play Saturday, Sept. 12 at Angelo State. The Bulldogs next home game will be on Parent's Day Saturday, Sept. 19 against West Texas A&M University.