ADA – The East Central University football team dropped a 24-37 decision to Southern Arkansas in Great American Conference action at Koi Istho Stadium.

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The Tigers (1-9 GAC) saw scoring from four different players, with three touchdowns and a field goal in the game.  The game was a true team effort, with no player recording more than 31 yards rushing or receiving.  Senior Brooks Holder went 13-of-27 passing for 136 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior Dezmon Jackson was the top receiver in the game with 31 yards, a TD and 50 kick return yards.  Freshman Xavier Scott finished as the leading rusher with 20 yards, while adding 17 yards receiving and a TD.
The Muleriders (8-2 GAC) started the scoring, with 7:53 left in the first quarter, for the 0-7 advantage.

ECU tied the game, with 1:26 remaining in the quarter, on an 18-yard pass between Holder and Jackson.  That play capped off an 11-play; 84 yard drive.

SAU regained the advantage with 12:02 left in the second quarter, netting a rushing touchdown and a 7-14 lead.

The Tigers countered with a 39-yard field goal from senior Jarod Hayes, with 6:43 left in the half, to cut the deficit to three (10-14).

Both teams would score again before the end of the half, with SAU earning a passing TD, with 1:49 left on the clock.  ECU had a 30-second drive and gave the ball back to the Muleriders with 1:17 left in the stanza, so it looked like the Tigers would be trailing 10-21 at the half. 

However, the ECU defense forced a four-and-out punt by the Muleriders.  The Tiger defense kept up the pressure and sophomore Trinity Benson blocked the punt, which was recovered by senior Lexus Jackson for a touchdown and a 17-21 score.

The third quarter is when SAU took control of the game, earning two touchdowns.  The second came on a punt return for 47-yards and a 17-31 advantage.

ECU added one final score in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to seven (24-31).  This time Holder ended a five-play; 70-yard drive with a 17-yard pass to Scott.

The Muleriders secured the victory less than six minutes later, taking a 24-37 lead on the final touchdown of the game.

The Tigers will now get ready for the final game of the 2016 season, as they will host archrival Southeastern Oklahoma State, Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. at Koi Ishto Stadium.  The game will be the annual Senior Day where ECU will honors is 16 seniors and those from the athletic training program before the game.