SWOSU Wins Third Straight, Beat ECU

November 4, 2006

ADA – Southwestern Oklahoma State University put itself one step closer to winning the Lone Star Conference North Division championship thanks to a trouble-free 38-28 victory over East Central University Saturday in Ada.

The Bulldogs, winners of three straight games, assured themselves of their first winning season since 2002 with the straight-forward  in over the Tigers. SWOSU is now 6-4 and will conclude the season next week at Texas A&M-Commerce. The Bulldogs are tied with Southeastern Oklahoma State University for first in the LSC North as both teams are 3-1.

The Bulldogs got touchdowns in just about every possible way as offense, special teams and even the defense took part in the scoring parade.

Quarterback Jimmy Sangster threw for 189 yards and one touchdown and put the Bulldogs comfortably ahead at 31-14 with a one-yard run with 3:58 to play in the third period.

ECU (2-7, 1-3) did find some success behind backup quarterback Akeem Levinson who ended the day completing 24-of-39 passes for 332 yards and four TD’s. However, it was SWOSU’s Greg Franklin who ended any hopes of a sensational ECU rally when he stepped in front of a Levinson pass and returned it 92 yards for a score.

Franklin’s length-of-the field run put SWOSU back ahead 38-20 with 3:43 to play and completed an amazing game for the sophomore linebacker. Franklin was credited with 10 tackles, two tackles for losses, one quarterback sack and one blocked punt.

SWOSU opened the game in spectacular fashion taking a 7-0 lead on the game’s first play when return specialist Patrick Weaver fielded the kickoff, broke two tackles and then outraced the remainder of the Tiger defenders 98 yards for a score. It was the second punt or kick that Weaver has returned for a touchdown, and the second longest kickoff return in school history.

The Bulldogs held a tight 10-7 lead midway into the second quarter before scoring twice in a span a little over one minute. Harold Thomas, who led the Bulldogs in rushing with 51 yards, had a twisting, turning 30-yard scamper to the ECU 23. Sangster then hit Johnathan Haggerty on a 23-yard scoring strike to put SWOSU ahead 17-7 with 3:58 to play in the half. Haggerty led the Bulldogs in receiving with four catches for 79 yards.

The Tigers took over and on their second snap from scrimmage misplayed a sideways pass that was ruled a lateral and alertly recovered by SWOSU defensive end Jaquane Williams at the Tiger’s three-yard line.

Reshard Dudley then scored on a two-yard run two plays later and the Bulldogs appeared headed for a route at 24-7 entering the half.

Statistically, ECU had the better measure thanks to its hurry-up, pass-first offense. The Tigers doubled the Bulldogs in yardage 488-244 and ran 33 more offensive plays than the Bulldogs.

However, the Bulldog defense came up with three turnovers and twice held ECU without points after the Tigers had advanced inside the SWOSU 10-yard line.

Falante Hill led SWOSU with 11 tackles while Jon Patterson added nine and Joe Castle was next with seven.