Southeastern fell to 2-2 overall despite another 400-plus yard offensive performance. Louisiana Tech used two Southeastern turnovers to break the game open with a 10-0 third quarter and improved to 2-1 in the victory. The two teams combined for 885 total yards in a wild game between the two former Gulf States Conference rivals who were meeting for the first time since 1985.
“I'm very proud of our team's effort tonight,” Southeastern head coach Mike Lucas commented. “We played with a lot of heart. Louisiana Tech is a team that is going to win a lot of games in the WAC. We had mental mistakes, especially in the special teams area, that cost us 14 points. We have to get those things cleaned up as we head closer to Southland Conference play. Overall, however, I am very pleased with how we fought against a quality FBS opponent.”
Southeastern junior quarterback Brian Babin set new single-game career highs for completions and attempts, hitting 32 of 59 passes for 322 yards. The 300-yard performance was the second in as many weeks for the St. Amant native, who threw for a career-high 330 yards versus South Dakota last Saturday.
Sophomore wide receiver Andre Cryercaught seven passes for a career-high 138 yards and a touchdown to lead the Lions. Cryer's touchdown catch came from junior wide receiver Chris Wilson, who completed his first career pass, while also finishing with six catches and 64 yards.
Freshman Simmie Yarboroughalso caught seven balls for 83 yards for Southeastern. Senior running back Jay Lucasamassed 99 total yards in the contest, as Southeastern put up a season-high 440 yards and recorded 23 first downs.
Porter led a Louisiana Tech rushing attack that finished with 249 yards. Porter and Patrick Jackson (11 carries, 58 yards, one touchdown) provided the one-two punch on the ground for the Bulldogs. Taylor Bennett completed 15-of-27 passes for 196 yards with one touchdown and one interception, as Louisiana Tech finished with 445 total yards and 26 first downs.
Southeastern was led defensively by sophomore linebacker Mark Newbill, who finished with eight tackles, two forced fumbles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Junior defensive back Brian Reynolds also had eight stops for the Lions, while junior Tommy Connors, sophomore Ryan Godare and freshman Devin Jones had seven tackles each.
Two Southeastern turnovers allowed Louisiana Tech to break open a close game in the third quarter. Trailing by five to start the second half, Southeastern forced Louisiana Tech to punt on their opening drive of the third quarter. However, the Lions, who had a plus-three turnover margin in the first half, committed the second half's first miscue. Babin hit Wilson on a quick slant, but Wilson was stripped by Antonio Baker and Tech recovered at midfield.
The Bulldogs drove the ball down to the Lion four-yard line and pushed the lead to eight with a 21-yard Brad Oestriecher field goal to put Louisiana Tech up, 31-23, with 6:12 left in the third quarter. On the ensuing kickoff, Cryer fumbled at his own 23, giving the Bulldogs the ball back deep in Southeastern territory.
Two plays later, Porter broke several tackles, reversed his field twice and scored from 23 yards out to put LTU up, 38-23 with 5:43 remaining in the third quarter.
The two teams traded field goals in the fourth quarter with Louisiana Tech taking a 41-26 lead on Oestriecher's second field goal of the half with 9:08 left in the contest.
Louisiana Tech scored two special team touchdowns to take a 28-23 lead after a wild first half. Southeastern kept it close by forcing three turnovers in the opening half and amassing 301 total yards on offense in the initial 30 minutes.
After stopping Southeastern on the opening drive of the game, Louisiana Tech moved down the field quickly, covering 83 yards in 1:52. On the sixth and final play of the drive, Jackson ran around left end untouched for a two-yard score to put the Bulldogs up, 7-0, with 11:04 left in the opening period.
Southeastern answered with a nine-play, 61-yard drive of its own, which stalled at the LTU 22-yard line. The Lions had to settle for a 39-yard field goal by junior Jeff Turner to cut the lead to 7-3 with 7:02 remaining in the first quarter.
Louisiana Tech moved into Southeastern territory on the next drive, but senior defensive back Marquis Powell stepped in with his first career interception, returning the pick for 51 yards down the right sideline to give Southeastern a 10-7 lead with 2:50 to go in the first quarter.
On their next possession, the Bulldogs faced a third-and-11 at the Lions 44. Southeastern came on an all-out blitz, but Bennett found Porter on a screen pass and the junior running back cruised into the end zone untouched to put LTU back up, 14-10 with 36 seconds left in the first quarter.
Louisiana Tech added to their lead early in the second quarter. A line drive punt by senior Cody Sampleswas caught on the run by Phillip Livas, who returned it 57 yards for a score and a commanding 21-10 advantage with 13:37 left in the opening half.
Southeastern pulled closer less than two minutes later, as Lion offensive coordinator Tommy Condell opened up his bag of tricks. Babin found Wilson with a lateral and the junior wide receiver connected with a wide open Cryer on a 55-yard touchdown pass over the aggressive Bulldog defense to pull the Lions within four at 21-17 with 12:05 left in the half.
Louisiana Tech was on the move on their next possession, but running back Myke Compton fumbled at the Southeastern 38-yard line and Connors recovered to give the ball back to the Lions. Babin then engineered a 13-play, 52-yard drive that stalled at the Tech 10-yard line. Turner hit his second field goal of the night to pull Southeastern within one, 21-20, with 6:49 left in the half.
Southeastern forced its third turnover of the half on the Bulldogs' next drive. Jackson was stripped by Newbill and senior cornerback Tony Johnsonfell on the loose ball to give Southeastern the ball near midfield. The Lions drove to the Louisiana Tech 27, setting up a 44-yard field goal attempt by Turner that would give Southeastern the lead.
However, Louisiana Tech turned the tide, as Kiamni Washington came up the middle to block Turner's kick. Weldon Brown picked up the loose ball on the run, rolling 50 yards to give the Bulldogs a 28-20 lead with two minutes remaining.
Babin calmly answered to end the half, as he expertly marched Southeastern 61 yards on six plays, allowing Turner to pull Southeastern within five at 28-23 heading into the break with a 42-yard field goal.
Southeastern will close out its non-conference slate next Saturday, hosting North Dakota at 6 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium. In conjunction with Saturday's game, Larry Crow, Angie Antonelli, Deneka Knowles and Wayne Booker will be inducted into the Southeastern Hall of Fame.
For ticket information for all Southeastern Athletic events, contact the Lion Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or 1-866-LION-TIX.
