Football Loses to Tarleton

September 26, 2009

WEATHERFORD, Okla. - Southwestern Oklahoma State University hopes to set aside what has been a difficult start for its 2009 football season and focus on starting anew when Lone Star Conference North Division play begins next week at home against Southeastern Oklahoma State University. 

First, the Bulldogs will have to wipe away any lingering effects that might carry from a 66-3 beating by undefeated Tarleton State University Saturday in Stephenville, Texas. The Bulldogs suffered through bad luck, misfortune and a number of other difficulties in the lopsided setback.

TSU (5-0) scored through the air, on the ground, by fumble and with an interception to keep the Bulldogs winless through five games. Tarleton chewed up 453 yards against the SWOSU defense and had the game won by the first half leading 38-3 at the break.

SWOSU was limited to 184 yards of offense and turned the ball over five times. The Bulldogs struggled to find consistency and ended up punting the ball back eight times, four times were after a three-and-out series.

SWOSU's offensive bright spot was tight end Joe Sawyer who had his best game of the season. He caught six passes for 65 yards, including a 45-yarder that led to the Bulldogs only score.

Sawyer hauled in a Steve Day pass and rumbled 45 yards to the Tarleton 10 before being knocked out of bounds. The Bulldogs moved to the Texans three-yard line before bogging down. SWOSU settled for a 20-yard field goal by Chad McIntosh who kicked it clean to cut the Texans' lead to 21-3 with 13:13 to play in the second quarter.

Tarleton scored the next 17 points before the second quarter ended to re-establish control. A 32-yard field goal by Garrett Lindholm put TSU up 24-3 with 4:42 to play in the second quarter. The game's turning play would follow seconds later when Vance Ibewuke stepped in front of a SWOSU pass and returned it 32 yards for a score to put Tarleton up 31-3.

TSU added one more before the break when Evan Roberts scored from two yards out with 24 seconds to play in the half. The touchdown was Robertson's second of the game. He was the top rusher for both teams finishing with 104 yards on six carries.

Defensively, SWOSU had a number of players with a high tackle count led by linebacker Fred Leak with nine. He was followed closely by Jaron Burgess, Shane Scott and Jesse Wright with eight apiece.