October 06, 2001

West Georgia Converts SAU Turnovers For Win

State University of West Georgia linebacker Forrest Jackson picked up an errant option pitch by Southern Arkansas University quarterback Ted Williams on the second play of the game here Saturday night and returned it unmolested for 21 yards and a touchdown. Wes Wilson converted SUWG to a 7-0 lead with only 42 seconds gone. The Braves continued to capitalize on errors by the Muleriders and went on to defeat SAU 37-26 to win their fourth of five games with the 'Riders. The nationally-ranked Braves are 5-1 for the season and 3-1 in Gulf South Conference play while SAU fell to 2-3 for the year and 2-2 in conference action.

On SAU's third possession, they marched inside the SUWG 10 after a 20-yard pass from Williams to halfback Torrance Jones, runs of 20 and 13 yards by fullback Larnell Sinegal and another 16-yard jaunt by halfback Forrest Curry. On fourth down at the eight, the 'Riders had to settle for a 25-yard field goal by Saul DeLa Cruz with 6:50 left in the first quarter, 7-3.

After forcing the Braves to punt, a 57-yard keeper by Williams gave SAU first and goal at the SUWG five. On second down, Williams attempted an option pitch while being tackled and his fumble was recovered by Braves tackle Courtney Roebuck on the 10.

After a punt exchange, the Braves had excellent field position on the 'Rider 29. On fourth and four from the six, Wilson drilled a 23-yard field goal to put West Georgia ahead 10-3, 7:31 left in the half.

Williams completed a 57-yard pass to freshman wide receiver Edwin Skipper to the Braves 18. Skipper might have scored had he not lost his balance. SAU gained a first and goal at the six but again had to go for the field goal on fourth down from the four. DeLa Cruz's 22-yard field goal narrowed the margin to 10-6 with 4:32 left in the half.

The Braves drove from their 13 to the SAU 22 and Wilson split the uprights with a 39-yard field goal, 13-6, only 41 ticks remaining in the half. West Georgia was not through accepting SAU turnovers. From the SAU 33, Williams was intercepted by cornerback Daetwan Wells and returned it 12 yards to the 'Rider 37. On fourth and seven with no time left on the clock, Wilson boomed a 51-yard field goal to put the Braves ahead at the half 16-6.

After an exchange of punts in the third quarter, SAU marched from their 40 to the SUWG six with halfback Rodney Evans scoring from that point. DeLa Cruz's PAT narrowed the margin to 16-13, 3:56 left in the period.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, All-GSC tailback Nick Price scored from the two to cap a 65-yard Braves march and Wilson toed the PAT, 23-13, four seconds deep in the final period.

SAU countered to get back in contention. Freshman halfback Rodney Hill dashed 46 yards to the SUWG seven. From the six, Williams passed to wide receiver Nik Lewis for a touchdown and DeLa Cruz converted, 23-20, 12:58 remaining.

The Braves began to pull away by driving 84 yards, capped by Price's six-yard scoring jaunt and Wilson added the PAT, 30-20, 5:10 to play.

On the next series, Wells again picked off a Williams pass at the SAU 32 and returned it 29 yards to the three. Quarterback Corry Strange passed from there to tight end Frankey Iverson for the score and Wilson's conversion made it 37-20, 4:40 left.

SAU got the final touchdown when they moved from midfield to the 10. Williams passed from there to Lewis for a score, 37-26, 20 seconds remaining. A two-point conversion attempt failed.

SAU piled up 23 first downs, 289 yards rushing and 203 yards passing for 492 total yards while SUWG had 19 first downs, 205 yards rushing, 157 yards passing and a total offense of 362 yards. While the 'Riders had 130 more yards, they suffered four turnovers to only one for the Braves.

Price led the Braves with 113 net yards rushing on 24 carries and two touchdowns while Williams had 93 net yards for the 'Riders. Strange passed for 157 yards on 12 completions in 26 attempts with one intercepted and one touchdown while Williams was 14 for 31 for 203 yards, two touchdowns and two intercepted. Wide receiver Detronn Harris caught five passes for 75 yards for the Braves and Lewis had seven catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns and Skipper five for 86 for the 'Riders. Wilson was three for three on field goals and four for four on PAT's while DeLa Cruz was two for two on field goals and two for two on PAT's.

All-GSC free safety Nate Coggins had 15 tackles for the Braves, five solos, and one pass broken up. All-GSC linebacker Eddie Key led the 'Rider defense with 14 tackles, four solos, and had a quarterback hurry while strong safety Brian Davis had 12 stops, five unassisted.