‘Riders Lose Another Heartbreaker

Magnolia, AR--Billy Dorgan's 43-yard field goal with 47 seconds left lifted undefeated Delta State University past hard-luck Southern Arkansas University 30-28 here Saturday. The come-from-behind win by the Statesmen improved their record to 7-0-0 and to 5-0-0 in the Gulf South Conference. This was the first time this season DSU's win was down to the wire. The Muleriders lost earlier in the year to Valdosta State University 30-29 and it was much like the DSU's 26-25 squeaker in 1998 over SAU on a field goal with :08 remaining. SAU fell to 3-3 overall and to 2-3 in the GSC.

DSU took advantage of a fumble by SAU quarterback Tim Barrington for the game's first score. Starting on the 'Riders 16, the SAU defense forced a fourth and 13 situation. Dorgan booted a 37-yard field goal to give the Statesmen a 3-0 lead with 4:08 left in the first quarter.

Quarterback Josh Bright capped a 70-yard, seven-play drive by lumbering on a 30-yard draw play for a touchdown and Dorgan's extra point kick put DSU up 10-0, 10 seconds deep into the second period.

SAU struck back in a hurry. Barrington, hobbling on a bad knee, went for it all on first down from the 'Rider 14. DSU safety Demetrius Patterson tipped the bomb to a streaking wide receiver Mike Beck, who raced untouched to the end zone to complete the 86-yard pass play. Jason Williams converted to close the margin to 10-7, 14:26 left in the half.

The 'Riders took the lead when fullback Scott Schroeder scored from the DSU eight to complete a six-play, 77-yard drive. Williams toed the extra point, 14-7, 10:55 to go in the second quarter.

DSU regained the lead when fullback Rico McDonald scored on a six-yard run and Dorgan's kick made it 17-14 with 4:29 left in the half. The drive covered 74 yards and took 13 plays.

DSU's defense forced SAU's offense into a three and out and the Statesmen covered the excellent field position at the 'Rider 43 in six plays. Running back DeForest Hart took a 10-yard pass from Bright for the touchdown and Dorgan's conversion kick put DSU ahead 24-14 with only 1:20 left in the half.

Barrington coughed up his second fumble on second down at the SAU 16 with DSU recovering with three ticks left that allowed Dorgan to drill a 34-yard field goal with :00 remaining in the half that pushed the Statesmen ahead 27-14. This miscue would prove costly later.

SAU took the second half kickoff and marched 67 yards in 11 plays with Barrington sneaking the final yard. Williams' PAT narrowed the DSU advantage to 27-21, 10:28 left in the period. From this point, defenses dominated play until late in the game.

Barrington, visibly playing on a gimpy left leg, had his knee buckle with 8:05 to play in the final period and SAU threatening after a fumble recovery by lineman Joey Robinson on the Delta 34. True freshman Ted Williams, who has had virtually no playing time this season, kept for seven to bring up fourth and inches at the DSU three. His sneak the next play was measured and DSU had the 'Riders turned back by the narrowest of margins.

DSU, which had played error-free for three quarters, lost their third fumble of the final stanza when SAU linebacker Tim Rose recovered Bright's fumble on the DSU 15. Williams kept twice and from the two, halfback Forrest Curry dashed into the end zone for the tie and Williams' toe put the 'Riders ahead 28-27 with four minutes to play.

DSU roared back, starting from their 22. With 2:13 remaining, Delta faced fourth and five at the SAU 46. The Statesmen kept their hopes alive when Bright completed a pass over the middle to a wide-open Casey Macke for 20 yards to the SAU 26. DSU was still on the 26 on fourth down when Dorgan's kick broke SAU's heart once again.

The statistics were as close as the game with the 'Riders collecting 345 yards total offense, 158 by rushing and 187 passing, while the Statesmen finished with 334 yards, 206 by rushing and 128 passing.

Individually, Bright and McDonald rushed for 87 yards each for DSU and Barrington, who was battered going into the game and injured his left knee in warm-ups, was limited to 43 yards rushing but passed for 188. Beck caught four passes for 129 yards. Barrington likely would not have played if SAU had an experienced backup quarterback. Curry had 47 rushing yards for the 'Riders. Defensively, safety Jamie Washington and linebacker Rory Bell had nine stops each for the Statesmen and linebacker Eddie Key had 15 tackles, three for losses, a pass broken up and a sack for a minus five.