Box Score WEATHERFORD, OKLA. – The East Central University football team moved its winning streak to three games, with a 24-21 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State at Fast Lane Field in Great American Conference action.

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The Tigers (4-3, 4-3 GAC) were led by their defense, who forced and recovered four fumbles and caught two interceptions. 

Junior Darren Campbell led the defensive charge with two fumble recoveries, one interception and three tackles.  Senior Alex King was the top defender with 11 solo tackles, three assisted tackles, two sacks (25 yards), 5.5 tackles-for-loss (33 yards) and one forced fumble.

Senior Caleb Holley had another strong offensive game for ECU, with 138 yards receiving on five catches.  Sophomore Spencer Bond connected with three different receivers for TD and threw for 276 yards.

The Bulldogs (4-4, 4-4 GAC) were the first to get on the scoreboard, with 5:45 left in the first quarter for a 0-7 lead.

The Tigers evened the score at seven, with 1:27 left in the first quarter.  Senior Ruben Tiller started the drive with an interception at the SWOSU 18-yard line.  Two plays later junior JoJo Snell made the most of the pick snagging a pass from sophomore Spencer Bond around the 10-yard line and scrambling in for the 18-yard passing TD.

Both teams had chances to score in the second quarter, but both were held without a score to head into the locker room knotted at seven.

After the intermission, ECU took the lead with 10:56 left in the third quarter on a 34-yard field goal by freshman Trevor Hunt.
The Bulldogs regained the advantage with 8:57 left in the third quarter with a TD.  SWOSU missed the extra point and took a 10-13 advantage.

ECU took control of the scoreboard with 16 seconds left in the third quarter after Bond connected with senior Lindsey Anderson for a five-yard TD after senior Darren Campbell recovered his second fumble of the day.

SWOSU then marched down the field and were at the five yard line when senior Alex King forced the fourth fumble of the game.  Sophomore Cole Weber recovered and a few plays later Bond connected with senior LaQuan Harper for a 79-yard TD pass to put ECU up 24-13 with 11:09 left in the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs scored with 1:20 left in the fourth quarter and converted on the two-point try to get within three, 24-21.

SWOSU then attempted an on-side kick, but the Tigers recovered at the 42-yard line with 1:18 left on the clock.  ECU kept possession for the remainder of the game for the 24-21 win.

Despite the winning score, the Bulldogs out-played the Tigers in offensive yards (459-382).  But ECU took advantage of the six turnovers (four fumbles and two interceptions) by SWOSU, while only giving up one fumble of their own during the game.

The Tigers will return home for the final game of the season at Norris Field, Saturday, Nov. 2 when they host Arkansas Tech at 2 p.m.