SWOSU Ready for North Run

October 10, 2007

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University hopes to jump start its 2007 football season in time to challenge for the Lone Star Conference North Division crown when the Bulldogs host Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Kickoff is set for Saturday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. at Weatherford’s Milam Stadium.

The (3-3) Bulldogs enter the game a bit bruised after a pair of lopsided losses to nationally-ranked Abilene Christian and Tarleton State. SWOSU has not played since Sept. 29 and the open week could not have come at a better time for Coach Ryan Held and his Bulldog players.

“We had a chance for players to get some rest and recover from any injuries that may have been bothering us,” Held said. “We’ve had a good week of practice and the spring is getting back in our step. Nothing about the previous games has changed our goal. We still want to win the LSC North and that begins with beating Southeastern.”

SOSU, the four-time defending North division champion, has struggled this season and enter with a 1-4 record. The Savage Storm is winless in all four games involving LSC schools and its lone victory was against NAIA Northwestern Oklahoma State.

SWOSU will not eagerly give the Savage Storm refuge. The Bulldogs are hoping to end a losing skid to the Durant school that has kept SWOSU winless since the 2001 season. Southeastern has bettered the Bulldogs five straight times winning by no fewer than 23 points in each outing.

“We understand how important this game is and how important it is to get out of the gate,” Held said. “We have not gotten off to good starts against them and ended up playing from behind early. That’s got to change. We want to be the ones dictating the tempo and play strategy.”

Offensively, Patrick Weaver has provided the most sizzle for the Bulldogs. The kick returner/running back/wide receiver has done a little of everything for SWOSU and is averaging nearly 106 all-purpose yards a game.

Defensively, Greg Franklin has begun to assert himself as one of the top linebackers in the LSC. He leads the team in tackles with 49 and has blocked a kick, sacked a quarterback, recovered a fumble and scored a touchdown among other things this season.