SWOSU Tamed by Tarleton
September 29, 2007
STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Southwestern Oklahoma State University found itself in trouble early and could not to find an answer in time losing 43-19 to nationally-ranked Tarleton State University.
SWOSU’s loss to Tarleton State was its eighth in the last nine meetings between the two and evened the Bulldogs 2007 record at 3-3. TSU, ranked No. 15 in NCAA Division II, improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1992. SWOSU will now have a week off before it begins Lone Star Conference North Division play against four-time defending North champ Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford on Saturday, Oct. 13.
Tarleton chugged our 481 yards and scored on their first offensive play while limiting the Bulldogs to a season-lowest yardage output of 195 yards. The game against TSU completed a rugged four-week stretch where the Bulldogs played three of the top 20 NCAA Division II teams in the nation.
The Texans used a bit of trickery on the game’s first play as wide receiver Deven Guinn took a reverse handoff and then tossed a perfectly thrown 69-yard strike to running back Travis Evans who snuck behind the Bulldog defense. TSU was ahead 7-0 with 17 seconds played in the game.
Tarleton’s lead increased to 13-0 before SWOSU got its first points when Spencer Daniel connected on a 40-yard field goal in the closing minutes of the first quarter.
The Bulldogs caught a break later when Brandon Cobb fell on a loose ball after Tarleton punt returner Nathan Robinson fumbled it away at the Texan 3. Josh Postin scored on the next play and SWOSU had cut TSU’s lead to 16-10 midway through the second period.
TSU then put the game out of reach when quarterback Scott Graham threw touchdown passes of 50, 7 and 7 yards during the final six minutes of the first half to give Tarleton a 36-10 lead. Graham finished the game completing 19-of-25 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bulldogs did gain a bit of measure after Graham’s third and final scoring toss when Greg Franklin blocked the point-after attempt and Marciele Surrel scooped up the pigskin and returned it for two points. The half ended with Tarleton ahead 36-12.
Tarleton bumped its lead to 43-12 before SWOSU had its best offensive series of the game. Quarterback Steve Day marched the Bulldogs 72 yards on 13 plays. Day completed key first-down passes to Johnathan Haggerty and Patrick Weaver before connecting on a six-yard scoring pass to Michael Cooper midway through the fourth period.
SWOSU’s defense flexed its muscle in the closing seconds when Tarleton had first-and-10 at the Bulldogs 13. TSU’s Robert Payne carried four straight times but was held to little or no gain each time. Defensive end Perry Carr brought Payne up short on a fourth-down play that kept the score where it was at 43-19.