Bulldogs Lose Opener, 48-17
August 27, 2009
J.R. HAMMOND
EMPORIA, KAN. - Southwestern Oklahoma State University played well in spots but could not overcome a slow start on the way to a 48-17 loss to Emporia State. The game was the season opener for both teams. SWOSU will next play at home Saturday, Sept. 5 against Lone Star Conference rival Eastern New Mexico. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Milam Stadium.
SWOSU managed 221 yards of total offense but were more than doubled by the powerful Hornets who combined for 494 total yards, 399 of which were on the ground.
ESU had two running backs - LaDarrian Page and Adrian Abner - each rush for over 100 yards on the night. Page scored three TD's and rushed for 153 yards on 16 carries while Abner added 109 yards on 16 carries.
SWOSU's offensive star was J.R. Hammond who rushed for 98 yards on 21 carries, including scoring on an electric 38-yard run. Hammond was making his first start as a college ball player.
Quarterback Steve Day completed 15-of-32 passes for 131 yards. He was intercepted twice and threw one touchdown.
The Bulldogs gave up two early touchdowns and had to play catch up throughout the game. Page scored on runs of nine and five yards and the Hornets led 14-0 with less than five minutes played.
The Bulldogs shook it off and regrouped by answering back on their next possession. Day connected with Johnathan Haggerty on a 27-yard touchdown pass that concluded a six-play, 42-yard drive. The TD reception pushed Haggerty's career mark to 18 in his four years with SWOSU and added to his Bulldog record.
Emporia again asserted itself on its next possession moving 72 yards on a crisp two plays. Page got loose on a 50-yard scamper before being dragged down by a Bulldog tackler. ESU quarterback Andre El Sloan found Shaun Richardson in the endzone for a 22-yard pass-and-catch hookup. The TD moved the Hornets back in front 21-7 with 2:17 to play in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs continued to move the ball on ESU marching 74 yards on 11 plays on their next possession. The drive stalled before Chad McIntosh came on and knocked through a 22-yard field goal to cut the Hornets lead to 21-10 with 4:44 in the second quarter.
The Hornets put the game out of reach with a couple of scores, the first of which came in the closing seconds of the half when Kevin Smart scored on a two-yard run with 38 seconds remaining. The lead moved to 34-10 midway through the third period when Page scored for the third time on the night, this time a one-yard score with 9:46 to play.
SWOSU's best offensive play came late in the third quarter when Hammond broke a few tackles and blazed his way to a 38-yard touchdown run. McIntosh's extra-point kick was good and ESU's lead was trimmed to 34-17 with 3:07 to play in the third period.
The Hornets had two more scores remaining in the fourth quarter. Tracy Hageman and Zach Rampy combined for a three-yard TD pass and Adrian Abner scored the game's final points when he raced in seven yards with 1:42 to play.