ADA, Okla. – In the most anticipated matchup of the regular-season, the East Central University football team hosted rival Southeastern Oklahoma State University for the Great American Classic presented by Simmons Bank. In their 107th heated showdown, the Tigers took back home the coveted trophy, claiming a thrilling 20-13 win on Senior night to cap off the 5-6 2024 season.
 
"Great team win!" Head Coach John Litrenta expressed. "We knew it was going to be a four quarter, 60-minute, one score game and that is how it ended up. All three phases battled and made plays! So proud of the young men that stuck to our process even through the early struggles to finish 5-2. A lot to build and happy for this team and my coaches!"
 
ECU wasted no time setting the tone, with Darian Williams delivering a crushing sack on Southeastern's opening drive. On the very next play, Tavare Smith Jr. intercepted a pass, forcing the Storm to punt. The Tigers' defense kept up the pressure throughout the first quarter, with Williams adding two more sacks to his tally, keeping the Storm on their heels and forcing another punt. While the ECU offense couldn't capitalize early, the defense's relentless effort kept the Tigers in control.
 
The second quarter saw the Tigers strike first on the scoreboard. A 23-yard pass from quarterback Sergio Kennedy to Kaden Jones put ECU in scoring position, and Brandon Perez came through with a 21-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead. After both teams traded punts, Southeastern responded with an eight-play, 41-yard drive that ended in a touchdown. However, an unsuccessful extra point left the Storm with a 6-3 lead at halftime.
 
Coming out of the break, the Tigers quickly reclaimed the lead. Starting with excellent field position at the Southeastern 42-yard line, Jaquarion Turner broke loose for a 42-yard touchdown run, giving ECU a 10-6 advantage just 15 seconds into the third quarter. After forcing another punt, the Tigers quickly added to their lead with a swift, three-play, 55-yard drive capped off by an impressive 51-yard touchdown pass from Kennedy to K.J. Peoples. With the lead now at 17-6, Perez added a 48-yard field goal to extend the Tigers' cushion to 20-6.
 
Despite a fumble by ECU in their own territory late in the third, the Tigers' defense stood strong once again. Smith, who had been everywhere on the field, recorded his second interception of the game, maintaining the Tigers' momentum heading into the final quarter.
 
The fourth quarter began with both teams exchanging punts, but Southeastern found life after another ECU fumble set them up for a six-play, 20-yard touchdown drive. The Storm cut the deficit to 20-13, but the Tigers' defense would not break. Punter Reece Conner delivered a perfectly placed punt to the Southeastern 1-yard line, forcing the Storm to start deep in their own territory. Southeastern managed to move the ball to the 33-yard line on a nine-play drive, but the Tigers' defense held firm, forcing another punt that pinned ECU at their own 1-yard line. 

After a three-and-out by ECU stuck in front of their own end zone, a punt to the ECU 35 yard-line threatened for the Storm to potentially tie the game, but the ECU defense remained solid, resulting ECU to run out the clock and claim the 20-13 win in their final home game.
 
It was a fitting conclusion to a memorable Senior Night, as the Tigers overcame early-season challenges and rallied to finish strong, winning 5 of their final 7 games. With standout performances across defense, special teams, and offense, they capped off the season by claiming the Great American Classic trophy in their final home game.

Seniors Ke'Von Curry, Gio Waller, Deqavius Bowens, K.J. Peoples, Darian Williams, Nathan Valencia, Jaquarion Turner, Elijah Thibodeaux, Myles Featherston, Jake Tuttle, Joshua Graham, William Hood, Prince Umanmielen, Ashton McGraw, CeDarrion Crooks, Jackson Allen, and Kalvin Hutchings all played one last time on Norris Field at Koi Ishto Stadium.