Bulldogs Tumble to MSU, 31-10

September 10, 2006

WEATHERFORD -- Southwestern Oklahoma State had the wind taken from its sails Saturday by Midwestern State as the Bulldogs fell 31-10 in a matchup of unbeaten Lone Star Conference football teams.

The Bulldogs were unable to generate the same type of spirited play that lifted them to a first game win last week at Texas A&M-Kingsville. SWOSU turned the ball over three times and could not move the ball on the ground against a stubborn MSU defensive unit.

Still even with the loss, SWOSU did show that it is a much-improved football team over last year’s 1-10 squad. The Bulldogs lost to the same MSU team 49-0 last year in Wichita Falls, Texas.

“I know our guys are really disappointed at the outcome. We were expecting to win here tonight,” second-year coach Ryan Held said. “Midwestern is a dangerous football team and they hurt us with their speed. We knew they would come up with some big plays offensively, we just didn’t match that type of production when we had the ball.”

Although SWOSU’s offense sputtered for three quarters the Bulldogs did show signs of life in the fourth. Quarterback Jimmy Sangster (Jr., Macon, Mo.) marched the Bulldogs 80 yards in seven plays and completed the drive with a 15-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Michael Cooper. The point after kick was good and MSU’s lead was 24-10 with 10:55 to play.

On MSU’s next series SWOSU defensive end Joe Castle (Jr. Beaumont, Texas), who led the Bulldogs with 11 tackles, made three consecutive stops which forced the Mustangs to punt deep in their own territory. SWOSU return man Jamall King (Fr., Terrell, Texas) fumbled the punt back to the Mustangs at the Bulldog’s own 37-yard line with 9:05 to play.

MSU then wiped out any chance of a fourth-quarter rally when Ulysses Odoms broke loose on a 26-yard touchdown run to give MSU a 31-10 lead with 7:12 to play.

SWOSU finished with 266 yards of offense, more than half (134 yards) came in the fourth quarter. MSU ended the game with 423 yards of offense and run 13 more plays and had the ball seven minutes longer in time of possesion.

Sangster’s passing numbers were hurt by several drops by his receivers. He ended the game completing just 14-of-34 passes for 195 yards and one touchdown.

Castle was not alone in his stellar play with the defense. Defensive back Desmond Baker (So., Garland, Texas) had eight tackles and forced a fumble on what would have been a sure MSU touchdown, knocking the ball free from Mookie Davis just as he was about to cross the gaol line for a 56-yard score pass reception.

The Bulldogs will next play Saturday, Sept. 16 at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Goodwell.