Bulldogs Hope to Slow Down Unbeaten Tarleton

September 21, 2005

Weatherford, OK - Southwestern Oklahoma State will have an opportunity to roll up its sleeves and do what no team has done so far this year by putting the breaks on unbeaten Tarleton State and its All-American running back in a homecoming matchup Saturday at Milam Field. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.

SWOSU enters with a 1-3 record but is playing its best football since limiting West Texas A&M to just three points in the second half of last week’s 41-14 loss. Meanwhile, Tarleton, ranked No. 17 in the AFCA Division II National poll, has dispatched Texas A&M-Commerce, Western New Mexico and Northeastern State with relative ease.

Tarleton’s attack again revolves around the bruising running attack of Derrick Ross who leads NCAA Division II in rushing at 193.7 yards per game. The 240-pound senior has rushed for more than 200 yards in two contests already this year, including a school-record 269 against WNMU. Ross has been watched by no fewer than 27 professional scouts in the Texan’s two home games this year.

“He is as good as we’ll see this year,” SWOSU coach Ryan Held said. “We got to be in position, be ready and make the tackle or he’ll score. Our players are excited. They know it’s a big challenge and I think are eager to prove something as well.”

Ross isn’t the only weapon the Texans use. Last week quarterback Richard Bartel completed 18-of-26 passes for 308 yards and three TD’s in a 34-25 win against NSU. He was named the LSC South Division Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

SWOSU’s offense, like its defense, played its best game against WTAM accounting for a season-high 232 yards. Quarterback duties were shared by both freshman Steve Day and last year’s starter Beau Dodson. The two combined for 169 yards through the air and moved the Bulldogs into scoring position a number of times. Still either endzone interceptions or fumbles deep in WTAM territory resulted in last week’s lopsided score.

Defensively, SWOSU had one of its best days coming up with five turnovers and a score of their own when linebacker Michael Hart returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second half.

Other SWOSU playmakers on the defensive side of the ball have been linebacker Greg Franklin who ranks 10 th in the LSC, averaging 8.8 tackles a game and defensive end Terry Joiner whose two and one-half sacks place him third in the league.