SWOSU Hopes for Repeat Performance Against NSU

October 27, 2005

Weatherford, OK - Southwestern Oklahoma State is eager to see if it can build on its recent football success against Northeastern State when the two teams meet Saturday in Tahlequah for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.

SWOSU and NSU are two young teams building for the future. SWOSU is 1-8 and 0-3 in the league while NSU is 1-7 and 1-2. Northeastern’s lone victory came against East Central earlier this season, which snapped a 14-game losing streak that stretched back to 2003.

SWOSU bested NSU last year 20-14 behind quarterback Beau Dodson’s 286-yard, two-touchdown passing effort. The victory would be SWOSU’s only one of the season while the Redmen went 0-10, their worst record in school history.

Although the Redmen are again near the bottom of the league standings, they are not without some dangerous weapons. Tailback Branden Ishem rushed for 114 yards on 25 carries in a 31-10 loss to Texas A&M-Commerce last week. The 5-7, 170-pound senior is averaging 124.7 yards a game, second best in the league.

SWOSU will look to slow Ishem and his teammates down with a defense that has come up with some big plays this year, led primarily by linebacker Michael Hart and defensive back Tommy Musa. Hart is the team’s leading tackler with 71 while Musa is right behind at 56 stops, despite playing two fewer games.

The radio broadcast on Weatherford’s KWEY 93.7 FM with Chuck Edwards and Dr. Les Crall calling all the action. The broadcast can also be heard via webcast.