WEATHERFORD, OKLA. – The East Central University football team saw its four-game winning streak broken by Southwestern Oklahoma State, with a 31-38 loss in Great American Conference action.
The Tigers (4-2, 4-2 GAC) saw a third 100+ yard game from senior
David Moore, with 140 yards and a touchdown. Senior
Nathan Pickett and junior
Drevon Kaywaykla also recorded passing TDs in the game, with 67 and 24 yard respectively.
Senior
Rocky Moore threw for 303 yards, while going 21-of-42 passing. Senior
Jamal Hall led the rushing side of the offense for ECU, with 61 yards.
On the defensive side of the field, seniors
Spencer Bond and
Jameel Whitney each recorded eight total tackles.
The Bulldogs (3-3, 3-3 GAC) were the first to get on the scoreboard, as they made a 23-yard field goal at 10:13 in the first. The points were their first in over two games.
The Tigers responded just before the end of the first quarter, as junior
David Massuere hit a 37-yard field goal with 23 seconds left to tie the game at three.
ECU then got the ball back immediately, as SWOSU didn't go for the ball on the kickoff and redshirt freshman
Jeff Reed recovered the on-side kick at the SWOSU 21-yard line.
The Tigers wasted no time gaining the lead, as they scored a touchdown at 14:36 in the second quarter. Senior
Rocky Moore connected with Kaywaykla with a 19-yard pass.
Pickett then caught a 36-yard TD pass from
Rocky Moore at 5:21 in the second quarter to push the ECU advantage to 17-10.
The final points of the first half came on a career-long field goal from Massuere. Massuere hit a 47-yard attempt, with his previous career-best being 45.
The Bulldogs came out of the break ready to fight and cut the deficit to three (20-17) with a TD on their opening drive of the third quarter.
The Tigers responded with a 24-yard field goal at 7:59 in the third quarter to go up 23-17.
SWOSU then took a 23-24 advantage less than two minutes later with a 56-yard rushing touchdown.
David Moore gave the lead back to ECU with a 13-yard touchdown run and a catch in the end zone for the two-point conversion with 3:29 left in the third for the 31-24 lead.
The Bulldogs tied the game at 31, with 12 minutes left to play in the game with a 12-play; 86-yard drive. They then took a 31-38 lead with 8:08 left to play with a four-play; 80-yard drive.
That is how the game would end, as the Tigers had two possessions before the end of the game, but they were unable to convert those into points and fell 31-38.
ECU will now return home and get ready to face an Arkansas Tech team that is currently first in the GAC standings with a 5-1 record. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17 at Koi Ishto Stadium at Norris Field.
