Football Falls to OPSU

October 31, 2009

WEATHERFORD, Okla. - Southwestern Oklahoma State University's string of success against Oklahoma Panhandle State on the football field came to an unexpected end Saturday in a 28-24 loss.

OPSU running back Daryl Brister scored the game-winning touchdown when on a one-yard run to put the Aggies in front 28-24 with 2:51 to play. Brister's score was his third of the day and capped off an amazing game in which he rushed for 227 yards on 35 carries. Brister carried the ball seven of the eight plays on the Aggies scoring drive. The eight-play drive was set up after Clinton native Chris Pearson brought back a SWOSU punt 46 yards to the Bulldog 25 yard line.

SWOSU had one final chance to stage a dramatic comeback but fumbled the ensuing kickoff away. The Aggies recovered and ran out the final 2:39 and celebrated their first win in the series since 2004. OPSU improved to 5-4 on the year while SWOSU's record dipped to 1-9. SWOSU will close out the season Saturday at home against Lone Star Conference North Division front runner Texas A&M-Commerce. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

SWOSU appeared in good shape after a sluggish start after allowing OPSU the game's first 14 points. The Bulldogs wiped out the Aggie lead and put themselves ahead 24-14 when Bruce Hatton scored from one-yard out with 13:52 to play in the third quarter. SWOSU had difficulties from that point on offensively as the Bulldogs next four possessions either ended in an interception or were three-and-outs.

The Bulldogs finished the game with 324 yards of total offense, but ran only eight plays from scrimmage in the final quarter that resulted in a net of two yards. SWOSU had the ball for just over three minutes in the final quarter while OPSU ran 20 plays, accumulated 80 yards and had the ball nearly 12 of the game's final 15 minutes.

SWOSU was led offensively by quarterback Steve Day who completed 17-of-36 passes for 256 yards and one touchdown. Day threw one interception and was sacked four times. His numbers would have been considerably higher but a 63-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown pass he threw to Johnathan Haggerty was whistled back because of a holding penalty.

Defensively, SWOSU gave up 491 yards of offense but came up with a pair of important fumble recoveries. Shane Scott and Nick Walker each stopped OPSU drives by jumping on the loose ball.

Fred Leak again led the team in tackles with 13 while he was followed closely by Larry Wilson who ended the game with 11.