East Central University Athletics

Football Set for Saturday Matchup

9/15/2023 3:42:00 PM

ADA, Okla. – The East Central University football team is back on the road for the second time this season, traveling to Weatherford, Oklahoma to face the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs. Kickoff is set for 6 pm at Milam Stadium.
 
The Tigers and Bulldogs are looking for their first win of the 2023 season as each team enters week three of competition at 0-2. Similarly, each side's head coach is looking to earn their first career win as both John Litrenta and Ruzell McCoy are in their inaugural seasons at the helm.
 
"We are excited about the opportunity this week against Southwestern, an in-state opponent," Litrenta said. "We are going to have to start fast and finish especially being on the road Saturday night. It is all about controlling us, ECU. If we do that, play in and play out, the outcome will take care of itself. New challenges give us the opportunity to continue to teach our men lessons and they have responded great to it all. This team is growing each day and I am excited to see them play together Saturday night."
 
SWOSU entered 2023 picked tenth by the league's head coaches after posting a 4-7 record last season. The Bulldogs have a pair of losses on the year to Ouachita Baptist at home, 38-14, and Arkansas-Monticello on the road, 58-21.
 
Dating back to the first matchup between the two schools in 1916, ECU holds a 52-45-2 edge against SWOSU. The Tigers have won the last two matches against the Bulldogs, including a 42-28 victory last year in Ada. SWOSU last defeated ECU in 2019 in Weatherford by a final score of 24-21.
 
Offensively, quarterback Traair Edwards leads the ECU offense in passing and rushing after averaging 180.5 passing yards per game, connecting on 45 of 66 passes with two touchdowns, and 37.0 rushing yards per game with two touchdowns. Running back Miles Davis is averaging 3.3 yards per carry with a team-high long run of 27 yards.
 
Defensively, linebacker Devon Roush continues to top the tackle charts, leading the Tigers and the GAC with 23 total tackles. Jimmy Pitts is next with 12 stops in the defensive charge while also being one of 14 players in the league to record an interception.