Bulldogs Pull Overtime Stunner
September 2, 2006
The Bulldogs out-muscled, out-hustled and out-witted the heavily favored Javelinas for their first win of the year. SWOSU fullback Josh Postin’s three-yard touchdown run in the first overtime set off a wild celebration on the Bulldog sideline as players, coaches and fans leaped and danced on the field.
SWOSU coach Ryan Held, who was 1-10 in his first year at the Bulldogs helm, had a hard time putting in words what the unlikely victory meant over the Javelinas, winners of the Lone Star Conference title a record 24 times.
“This is a landmark victory. Our kids have been believers in themselves from Day 1,” Held said. “No one expected us to do this. The pre-season poll picked us last. We’re not a last-place football team. We have to show that every week from here on out.”
Postin’s game-winning score was set up following a bizarre set of circumstances that had many of observers scratching their head in wonderment.
Cory Summers
Kingsville was awarded first possession in the overtime on the SWOSU 25-yard line, according to the rules. The Javelinas went only backwards. Defensive tackle Cory Summers and linebacker Greg Franklin threw tailback Raymorris Miller for losses on consecutive plays. TAMUK then settled for a 40-yard field goal attempt by kicker Scott Schlebach that missed left.
SWOSU took over at the 25-yard line and moved to the Javelina’s six-yard after a pair of bruising runs by Postin and tailback Steve Ihekona. Kicker Spenser Daniel was brought in on a fourth-and-two play to attempt a 23-yard field goal for the winner. However, the snap sailed high and holder Beau Dodson alertly scrambled out of trouble and flipped the ball to Daniel who caught it and broke a tackle before stumbling down at the three-yard line. The impromptu play was enough for a first down as the Bulldogs narrowly avoided disastrous turn.
SWOSU’s offense came back on the field and scored on the next play.
The game’s entrance into overtime seemed unlikely as the Bulldogs carried a 17-0 cushion early in the second quarter behind the pass-and-catch combination of quarterback Jimmy Sangster and wide receiver Johnathan Haggerty. The duo hooked up on a 35-yard pass reception on the game’s first play and moved 13 plays in 71 yards on their opening drive. Daniel was brought in and knocked clean a 25-yard field goal to put SWOSU up 3-0.
Haggerty then scorched the Javelina defense on the next possession getting behind his defender and catching a perfectly thrown ball by Sangster in stride for what turned out to be an 80-yard score. Daniel’s point after was good and SWOSU had Kingsville staggered, leading 10-0 with 3:51 to play.
The Bulldogs added another score for good measure. Running back Reshard Dudley broke free on a 44-yard gallop that put the Bulldogs in scoring position. Sangster then lofted another pass to Haggerty in the corner of the endzone who snared it for his second score, an 18-yard TD reception.
TAMUK battled back thanks in part to a special team miscue by the Bulldogs. The Javelinas blocked a SWOSU punt and Joe Williams scooped up the ball and returned it 14 yards for the score. SWOSU’s lead was now 17-7 with 4:43 to play before halftime.
SWOSU gave Texas A&M-Kingsville one final opportunity late when they turned the ball back over with just over two minutes to play at the Jav’s own 43-yard line while protecting a 17-10 lead. On the series third play, Javelina quarterback Jeremy Williams found wide receiver Ryan Richardson on a deep pass. Richardson shook off two SWOSU tacklers at the 30-yard line and raced into the endzone. The point after was good and the game was tied at 17-17 with only 44 seconds to play.
The Bulldogs will next see just how far their enthusiastic and inspired play will carry them as they host Midwestern State University on Saturday. The game is set for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Milam Stadium in Weatherford.