Magnolia, Ark.-Rain fell on Southern Arkansas University’s pre-game Homecoming activities but the Muleriders rained enough points on Delta State University here today to defeat the Statesmen 30-10 in a Gulf South Conference game. The ‘Riders, 5-2 overall and 4-1 in GSC play, came from behind a 3-0 deficit early in the second quarter to lead 10-3 at the half and blew it open in the last half. The Statesmen fell to 1-6 for the year and to 1-4 in conference play.
The SAU Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference championship teams of 1952 and 1972 were honored at halftime. The AIC is now defunct with SAU moving to the GSC in 1995.
After a scoreless first quarter, DSU drew first blood on a 22-yard Bryan Walker field goal 46 ticks into the second period after driving from the SAU 43 to the five where they faced fourth and goal.
The ‘Riders countered on a 19-yard Thomas LaToof field goal after marching 84 yards in 11 plays to the DSU two, 3-3, 7:24 left in the half. SAU scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:02 remaining in the half on a 20-yard run by Rodney Hill that completed a 68-yard, eight-play drive. LaToof kicked it to 10-3, the score at the half.
Halfback Torrence Jones bolted for a 79-yard touchdown run down the right sideline off an option pitch from quarterback Damian Melancon with 3:01 left in the third period and LaToof converted SAU ahead 17-3. The ‘Riders then drove 80 yards in eight plays with Melancon finishing it with a three-yard keeper with 10:48 left in the fourth stanza. LaToof added the PAT, 24-3.
Quarterback Spencer Johnson scored DSU’s only touchdown on a two-yard keeper and Walker converted to slice the SAU lead to 24-10 with 8:01 remaining. This drive covered 58 yards on 10 plays.
Hill finished the scoring when he scampered the final yard of a 12-play, 72-yard march with 2:50 to play.
SAU had a 24-18 advantage in first downs, rushed for 343 yards to 196 for DSU and passed for 133 yards to 67 for the visitors. The ‘Riders had 476 total yards to 263 for Delta and a possession time advantage of 33:34 to 24:51.
Jones, a sophomore from Cotton Valley, La., had 114 yards rushing on 12 carries to lead the ‘Riders, Melancon 92 yards on 12 rushes and Hill 72 yards in 12 totes for SAU. Johnson and halfback Mario Purifoy had 56 yards each for DSU on 14 and six carries, respectively.
SAU starting quarterback Ted Williams was four of six for 93 yards passing and Johnson was eight of 17 for 67 yards for DSU but had two intercepted. SAU wide receiver Nik Lewis caught five passes for 95 yards. Delta’s John Weaver punted four times for a 44-yard average while SAU freshman Tony Grecco averaged 42 yards, having to punt only twice. Lewis returned two punts for 45 yards and Hill returned two kickoffs for 40 yards. Purifoy returned four kickoffs for 77 yards for DSU.
SAU safety Brian Davis had 11 tackles, an interception, a tackle for a loss of a yard and a pass broken up with cornerback Charles Rollins getting nine tackles and breaking up two passes. DSU safety Shelton Belton had 10 tackles, two for seven yards in losses and a fumble recovery.
SAU plays at Ouachita Baptist in Arkadelphia next Saturday.