CONWAY, Ark. – The Southeastern Louisiana football team was dominant in every phase on the way to an overwhelming 34-0 road victory over No. 6/7 Central Arkansas in Southland Conference football action Saturday evening in Estes Stadium.
 
Southeastern (6-3, 5-2 Southland) held a UCA offense that came into the contest as one of the most prolific passing attacks in the FCS to 261 total yards on the way to the program's first shutout victory since a 27-0 victory at Northwestern State on Nov. 6, 2009. The victory allowed SLU to move into a four-way tie atop the league standings with the Bears, Nicholls and Sam Houston State.
 
"We played well and executed the game plan in every phase," Southeastern head coach Frank Scelfo said. "I love our team. We have a special group and I'm proud of how they responded today on the road against a very good football team."
 
UCA (7-3, 5-2 Southland) had its four-game winning streak snapped, as the Lions earned their second victory over a top 10 program this season after defeating then-No.6 Jacksonville State, 35-14, in the season opener. Cole Kelley sparked the Southeastern offense off the bench, as he (20-for-24, 273 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) and Chason Virgil (8-for-11, 64 yards) fueled a Lion offense that posted 490 total yards and controlled the ball for over 38 minutes.
 
Kelley also rushed 15 times for 39 yards and four touchdowns – the most by a Lion since Jay Lucas found the end zone four times in a 79-7 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan on Sept. 15, 2007. Taron Jones led the SLU rushing attack with 69 yards on 16 carries.
 
Kelley and Virgil spread the ball around to eight different receivers, as Devonte Williams (six catches, 86 yards), Bransen Schwebel (6-74), Javon Conner (5-59-1 TD) and Austin Mitchell (5-55) all were big contributors in the passing game.
 
The Lions finished plus-two in the turnover margin in Saturday's win, as Ferlando Jordan intercepted two passes and Shawntrez Spates also recorded an interception. J'vonte Powers recovered a fumble that was forced by Marcell Selmon Jr.
 
Xavier Lewis led SLU with eight tackles, as he and Will Douglas each collected sacks. Lewis, Douglas, Gladar Huszar, Alexis Ramos, Trae Drake, Josh Carr Jr., David Fields and Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund each were credited with tackles for loss in the dominant defensive effort.
 
The Lion defense harassed UCA quarterback and Walter Payton Award candidate Breylin Smith, who came in ranked among the FCS national leaders in passing yards, completion percentage and passing touchdowns, to 193 yards and three touchdowns on 17-of-39 passing.
 
First Quarter
The Lions and Bears traded three-and-outs for the majority of the opening period before SLU found broke through first. Kelley capped an eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive with a nine-yard scoring run to put Southeastern ahead, 7-0, with 5:52 left in the opening quarter.
 
UCA, which was held without a first down on its opening three possessions, took the ball inside the Lion 10-yard line. On a third-and-inches at the SLU eight-yard line, Kierre Crossley was thrown for a loss by Huszar and Adeyemi-Berglund. The Bears lined up for a 27-yard field goal, but a bad snap threw off Hayden Ray's timing and he pushed the short try wide left.
 
Second Quarter
Southeastern took the opening drive of the second quarter 80 yards on nine plays to double its lead. A 22-yard end around to Conner and a 24-yard pass from Kelley to Mitchell set up a two-yard touchdown run by Kelley that gave SLU a 14-0 lead with 11:56 remaining in the half.
 
After SLU forced a UCA punt, the Lions took all but seven seconds of the first half off the clock with a methodical 16-play, 91-yard drive that took 8:45 off the clock. The key play was a 21-yard pass from Kelley to Marquis Williams to convert a fourth-and-eight. Facing fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line, the Lions elected to go for the touchdown. Kelley bulled in over the left side from two yards out to give Southeastern a 21-0 lead headed into the break.
 
Third Quarter
Southeastern forced a UCA turnover on the period's second play to keep the Bears off the board. Spates recorded his second interception of the season, as Ramos deflected a Smith pass into the hands of the SLU senior.
 
The Lions moved all the way down to the Bear three-yard line, however Kelley was stripped going into the end zone and UCA recovered to end Southeastern's scoring threat.
 
On the next pass, Southeastern retook the momentum as Jordan stepped in front of a Smith pass for his team-high fourth interception of the season. Six plays later, Kelley found Conner for a six-yard touchdown throw to give SLU a 27-0 lead midway through the third quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter
Southeastern closed out the scoring with just over 10 minutes remaining, as Virgil came back in to lead an eight-play, 75-yard scoring march. Kelley finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run and a 34-0 lead.
 
Central Arkansas had one last opportunity to spoil SLU's shutout bid. However, Jordan intercepted Smith at the Lion 12-yard line to secure the team's first shutout win in a decade.
 
Up Next
Southeastern will close out its regular season road schedule next Saturday, facing Abliene Christian at 1 p.m. in Abilene, Texas. The game will be televised on ESPN+ and can be heard on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU-FM (90.9), Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM WFPR), online at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the Lions Game Day and TuneIn Radio apps.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. The Lions' remaining home schedule will see SLU welcome Southland Conference foe Nicholls (Nov. 21).
 
2019 PROMOTIONS
For full details on promotions surrounding the Southeastern Louisiana football team's 2019 home schedule visit www.LionSports.net/FootballPromos.
 
INSIDE SOUTHEASTERN FOOTBALL WITH FRANK SCELFO
Inside Southeastern Football With Frank Scelfo will air every Monday through Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at Tope La Catering (113 East Thomas Street) in downtown Hammond. Hosted by Scelfo, the Lions' second-year head coach, and Allen Waddell, the hour-long show will air on the Southeastern Sports Radio Network (KSLU-FM (90.9), Kajun 107.1 FM, The Highway 104.7 FM and The Boss 103.7 FM/1400 AM WFPR). Fans can also listen live at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the Lions Game Day and TuneIn Radio apps. A live video stream of the show will be available at www.youtube.com/sluathletics.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events, effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.