A 21-0 deficit following the first two quarters of play proved too big a hole for the Southeastern Louisiana Lions as they dropped a 35-19 decision Saturday afternoon to Northern Colorado in non-conference football action at Nottingham Field.
The loss drops Southeastern to 1-1 on the year and evens the all-time series with the Bears at 1-1. Northern Colorado improved to 2-1 on the season.
Despite a major second half improvement which saw Southeastern outscore UNC 19-14 in the final two quarters, Lions' head coach Dennis Roland is well aware that a three score deficit is often too much for a team to overcome, especially on the road.
"You can't spot a good team 21 points and expect to win the game," replied Roland. "I was proud of our guys' effort. They could have quit at halftime but kept their chins up and played much better in the second half and we had a chance to win the game. Now our plan is to get to work preparing for Tulane."
On the stat sheet, it would seem that Southeastern had the advantage but several big plays by UNC, or more specifically one big drive, made the difference. Overall, the Lions outgained UNC 390 yards to 301 and had 25 first downs to 15 for the Bears. The Lions also blocked three punts in the game, one shy of the NCAA I-AA record.
Running back Jerald Watson was the story for the Lions as he accounted for all three Southeastern scores. He rushed 13 times for 58 yards and two scores while catching six passes for 47 yards and a score. Andre Wilson did the damage for UNC rushing 33 times for 113 yards and three TDs. Bears' QB Nick Hagar finished 16-for-22 for 175 yards with two TDs and one INT. Southeastern QB Trey Willie, making only his second career start, was 33-of-53 for 286 yards and three interceptions with one TD.
Trailing 21-0 following the half, the Lions posted the first two scores of the second half to cut the UNC lead to 21-13 with 9:02 remaining in the fourth. But undeterred, the Bears went on a back-breaking drive of their own to effectively put the game out of reach.
Following a 45-yard kickoff return by Patrick Ealy, the Bears marched 53 yards in nine plays using up 2:58 capped by a nine yard dash by Wilson to push the score to 28-13 with just over six minutes remaining.
The Lions added another score on the following possession driving 80 yards in an amazing 20 plays but had only 2:09 left following the missed 2-point conversion and still found themselves trailing 28-19.
After Jim Hall's onside kick was recovered by UNC, the game was basically sealed. UNC added a final TD with under a minute remaining for the final margin.
Following an open date, Southeastern has two weeks to prepare for Tulane at a site to be determined.
