Footballers Meet Panhandle State

September 13, 2006

WEATHERFORD -- Southwestern Oklahoma State gets a chance to show off its new and improved football team Saturday when the Bulldogs visit in state rival Oklahoma Panhandle State. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Goodwell.

SWOSU owns a 1-1 mark after losing 31-10 at home in its last outing to Midwestern State. The Bulldogs appear to be a strong favorite against the Aggies who enter the contest with an 0-2 record after back-to-back wipeouts against Emporia State (69-6) and Pittsburg State (87-0).

The game will mark a homecoming of sort for current SWOSU coach Ryan Held, who along with assistants Judd Remmers and Charles Black, coached the Aggies for three years beginning in 2002.

“It’s always special to go back to a place where you’ve worked so hard at,” Held said. “There are a lot special people there who I’ve remained friends with. However, once the game begins that all goes out the window. We’re not trying to make friends; we’re trying to win a football game.”

The game is likely to have special significance for a number of SWOSU players who too once were members of the Aggie football team. Starting running back Reshard Dudley and top defensive back Austin Wuthrich, along with backups Jason Hill, Adam Hooton and Britten Nies, played for Panhandle State before transferring to SWOSU.

“I know these kids still have a lot of friends there and it’s important for them to play well,” Held said. “It’s kind of like a bragging rights game. It may seem strange at first being on the other sideline, but its something we’re looking forward to.”

Held said he is not expecting a walkover despite the fact that OPSU has been outscored 156-6 in their first two games this year.

“You look at the history when these two teams have met. Most of the time they have been very close games,”

SWOSU needed a 31-yard, fourth quarter interception return by Trent Pratt to set up what would eventually be the winning field goal in last year’s 13-10 win.