Box Score


BROOKINGS, S.D. – Southeastern Louisiana outgained No. 6 South Dakota State, 506-345, but was unable to overcome six turnovers in a 34-26 loss to the Jackrabbits in non-conference action Saturday night at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium.
 
For the second straight week, Southeastern (1-2) put a scare into a nationally-ranked opponent, but the minus-six turnover margin and 12 penalties for 115 yards ruined the chances for a statement victory on the road. The Lions led 19-7 early in the third quarter, but the Jackrabbits answered with 27 unanswered points by taking advantage of Southeastern mistakes. South Dakota State (3-0) remained undefeated, defeating Southeastern for the second straight year.
 
"We played hard, but we made too many mistakes," Southeastern head coach Ron Roberts said. "You can't make those types of miscues and expect to go on the road and beat the sixth-ranked opponent in the country. This was a hard fought game between two good football teams, but the difference was that South Dakota State was able to capitalize on our mistakes."
 
Junior quarterback Bryan Bennett threw for 322 yards on 27-for-38 passing, but also threw four interceptions. Bennett also rushed for a team-high 73 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Rasheed Harrell posted 43 yards and a score of his own on the ground.
 
Senior Tony McCrea posted his best performance as a Lion, pulling in seven passes for 158 yards to lead the Lion pass catchers. Chris Malott and Jeff Smiley each hauled in five passes apiece for Southeastern.
 
The Lion defense finished with five sacks and was able to keep the nation's leading rusher - South Dakota State's Zach Zenner - relatively in check. Though the Payton Award candidate finished with 128 yards and three rushing touchdowns, 75 of those yards came on one run.
 
Jackrabbit quarterback Austin Sumner was solid, finishing with 187 yards passing, completing 14 of 25 attempts and scoring a rushing touchdown. Theo Alexander led the Lions with seven tackles, while Kevin Harmon, John Graves, Kaleb Muse, Justin Church and Greg Triay were each credited with sacks.
 
Southeastern was also able to produce on special teams, as sophomore Xavier Roberson set a new school record with his third career kickoff return for a touchdown. Senior kicker Seth Sebastian remained perfect on the season, connecting on both of his field goal attempts.
 
South Dakota State could not manage anything on its opening drive and a short punt gave Southeastern the ball at the SDSU 36-yard line. A Bennett 20-yard line set up Southeastern at the one-yard line, then Harrell punched it in for a 7-0 lead with 11:25 remaining in the opening quarter.
 
The Lion defense was able to force another quick punt and the Lions extended their lead on the ensuing drive. Bennett hit McCrea for a 39-yard catch and run on the drive's second play. Sebastian knocked in a 35-yard field goal to put the Lion lead at 10-0 with 4:03 left in the first quarter.
 
The two teams exchanged punts on the next several possessions, before Southeastern engineered another drive. Bennett and McCrea again hooked up on a big play, as Bennett found his senior wide out on a 62-yard reception. The Lions moved all the way down to the SDSU 11-yard line, but Roberson fumbled the ball away to squander a scoring opportunity.
 
SDSU got on the board after the Lion turnover. Sumner connected with Zenner on the opening play of the drive for a 59-yard gain. Six plays later, Zenner powered in from two yards out to cap the seven-play, 90-yard line and cut the Lion lead to 13-7 with 8:12 left.
 
Southeastern moved into Jackrabbit territory again on the ensuing possession, but Bennett was intercepted by Winston Wright to end that drive. The Lion defense made sure that turnover would not be costly, forcing SDSU into a quick three and out.
 
The Lions would add to their lead heading into halftime. A Bennett 18-yard pass to Chris Malott highlighted an 11-play, 50-yard drive that Sebastian closed out with a 35-yard field goal to give Southeastern a 13-7 halftime lead.
 
Southeastern took the opening kickoff of the second half and quickly scored to put the lead back to double digits. Bennett found McCrea on two passes for 30 yards during the drive with the second catch setting Southeastern up first and goal at the one-yard line. Bennett raced in from one yard out to put the Lions up, 19-7. SDSU was able to stop the Lions on a two-point conversion attempt to keep the deficit at 12.
 
On the next play from scrimmage, Zenner raced 75 yards for a touchdown. The score pulled the Jackrabbits within 19-14 with 11:25 remaining in the third quarter.
 
The next three possessions resulted in punts, before South Dakota State put together a nine-play, 80-yard drive to take the lead for good. Sumner completed all three of his attempts for 42 yards. On the go-ahead score, Sumner fumbled the ball in the backfield, but quickly picked it up and raced in from 20 yards out. SDSU also failed on a two-point conversion attempt and took a 20-19 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
Southeastern again marched into South Dakota State territory on the next drive, as a 19-yard run and 20 yards of completions put the Lions in scoring position. However, Andrew Brown picked off Bennett deep in SDSU territory to end the scoring threat.
 
The defense again forced a South Dakota State three-and-out and the offense again marched into Jackrabbit territory. However, Bennett fumbled at the SDSU 29-yard line to give South Dakota State the ball back.
 
The two teams traded three-and-outs on the ensuing possessions before the Jackrabbits extended the lead. Zenner scored from 10 yards out to cap a four-play, 58-yard drive that gave the Jackrabbits a 27-19 lead with 4:28 remaining.
 
On the next Lion drive, Dallas Brown stepped in front of a Bennett pass and raced 52 yards for a touchdown to give South Dakota State a 34-19 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Roberson fielded a short kickoff and raced in from 82 yards to cut the lead to 34-26 with 2:14 remaining.
 
Marice Sutton gave the Lions one more chance, recovering an onside kick. However, Brown again intercepted Bennett to end Southeastern's final drive.
 
Southeastern will close out its three-game road swing next Saturday, facing Samford at 2 p.m. in Birmingham, Ala. The game will be broadcast on KSLU 90.9 FM, the flagship station of the Southeastern Sports Radio Network, as well as Northshore Broadcasting stations Kajun 107.1 FM and The Joint 104.7 FM. Fans can listen online at www.LionSports.net or on their smart phone using the TuneIn Radio app.