DURANT, Okla. – Despite having a 14-0 halftime lead, the East Central University football team fell 24-14 to rivals Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the 106^th Great American Classic on Saturday afternoon at Paul Laird Field.
 
Concluding the 2023 season with a 3-8 overall record, ECU found themselves on the losing end, with Southeastern holding a slight edge in the all-time series at 51-49-6. This marks the first rivalry victory for the Storm since 2018.
 
The Tigers kicked off the game with a double-pass trick play as Dior Scott hit Jace Wyatt with a 39-yard strike to get past midfield and into Storm territory early. ECU went on to score as Jaiave Magalei's 13-yard touchdown pass to David Hall capped off the 11-play, 83-yard drive. With the successful PAT from Tommy Yousey, the Tigers went up 7-0.
 
Building on their momentum, ECU held Southeastern to a punt on its first possession while they extended their lead to 14-0 by the 6:08 mark of the first quarter when Magalei connected with Scott for an 80-yard touchdown.
 
While the Storm struggled to get on the board, including a missed 21-yard field goal in the second quarter, the Southeastern defense adjusted, causing four consecutive three-and-outs for the Tigers that put a halt to their scoring run.
 
In the final drive of the second quarter, Prince Umamielen sacked the Storm quarterback, resulting in a fumble scooped up by Keveon Davis at the SE38. Davis attempted to score on the play but fumbled at the SE18 yard line where the Storm recovered to keep the score 14-0 score heading into halftime.
 
The start of the second half saw both teams trading three-and-outs before the Southeastern offense found its rhythm, closing the deficit to 14-7 with a 15-yard touchdown pass. Following another ECU three-and-out, the Storm managed to tie the game at 14-14 with 14 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
 
On the ensuing drive, Magelei connected with Scott for a 20-yard pass, giving the Tigers its first first down since the opening quarter, but the drive stalled the Storm regained possession at their own 12-yard line. Southeastern marched the length of the field with a six-play, 88-yard drive to take their first lead 21-14 with 9:26 left to play.
 
Southeastern extended their lead to 24-14 with a 27-yard field goal, and after the Storm defense turned ECU over on downs, the Tigers faced a heartbreaking 24-14 defeat.
 
ECU finished with 269 yards of total offense, doing most of its damage through the air with 253 yards receiving while being held to a season-low 16 yards rushing.
 
Magelei contributed 214 passing yards completing 20-of-29 with two touchdowns.
 
Scott led the receiving corps with 110 yards on three catches and a touchdown.
 
Umanmielen led the way for the Tiger defense putting together an eight tackle outing, three of them for a loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, and three quarterback hurries.
 
Lane Johnson added the other Tiger sack while adding seven stops and one of them for a loss.
 
The loss closed out the playing career of 23 ECU seniors who played in their final games.