The Lion’s Roar / Jay Love
Senior linebacker Kaleb Muse (3) assists his teammate in tackling Malik Brown of the Southern Utah Thunderbirds. The Lions defense has been impressive in the first two games of the season. Muse and the rest of the defense has only given up 14 points to opponents thus far and have also scored two touchdowns of their own.
Another game finished in Strawberry Stadium this past Saturday as Lion’s fans were treated to a thriller. After staying within a touchdown for the better part of three quarters, the Southern Utah University Thunderbirds tired out as the Lions scored 21 unanswered points in the second half, ending in a 41-14 victory.
“Hats off to Southern Utah. They were exactly what we thought they were coming in. They really gave us some fits,” said Head Coach Ron Roberts. “I was impressed of how the quarterback handled himself, and the receivers did a good job.”
Just as they did a week earlier when they took on Jacksonville University, the Lions wasted no time to get points onto the board. It took less than 15 seconds for Southeastern to score thanks to an interception by senior linebacker Drew Misita. The Amite native picked off Aaron Cantu’s pass and took it back 10 yards for his first career touchdown as a Lion.
“That play we knew they were going to run, we just didn’t know they were going to run it first play,” said Misita. “I give all the credit to the coaches. They knew it was coming, and they put me in the spot.”
The remainder of the first quarter featured a back-and-forth contest between the Thunderbirds and Lions. Southern Utah attempted a field goal following trading punts, but they would have to try again as the kick was wide left. A 10-0 lead in Southeastern’s favor left the home crowd at ease, but with three quarters to go, there was still plenty of time for a comeback.
Light rain fell as the second quarter began and the Thunderbirds marched down the field. A three-yard touchdown pass topped the 12-play drive, spanning 75 yards and reducing the Lion lead to only 10-7.
Bryan Bennett and the Southeastern offense came back onto the field in hopes of replicating the explosive offense from a week ago, but were stopped after only three plays. The defense of both teams continued to keep the opponent on their own side of the field. It was not until an interception by junior defensive back Jordan Batiste that the Lion’s managed to get in the opponent’s territory. However, the Lion’s settled for another field goal, bringing the lead to 13-7.
The offensive flow began to pick up for Bennett and the Lions as time trickled closer to halftime. A punt return by junior wide-receiver Devante Scott allowed Southeastern to start their drive at the opponent’s 42-yard line. Two plays later, Scott would be rewarded for his efforts with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Bennett to pad the Lion’s lead heading into the half. It was also Scott’s first touchdown of the season.
Southern Utah was not ready to quit as they came out for the second half. The Thunderbirds took advantage of a Bennett interception and brought the game back to within a score after a one-yard touchdown run by Raysean Pringle.
After going scoreless in the third quarter, the Lion offense came alive in the fourth. Bennett accounted for two touchdowns, one rushing and one through the air to Chris Malott, while freshman running-back Eugene Bethea scored his first career touchdown in the green and gold.
“It was a heck of a lot tougher ballgame than you see,” said Roberts. “The biggest thing was we made the most of the chances we had to score in the second half.”
The Lions will travel to away games for the next three weeks, with the first stop being in New Orleans next week to take on the Tulane Green Wave. Southeastern and Tulane last played in 2011, with Tulane edging out the Lions for the victory, 33-47. The game can be seen on ESPN3 as well as heard on the flagship station of Southeastern Football, KSLU-FM (90.9).
The Lion’s Roar / Tamara Alexander
Quarterback Bryan Bennett attempts to find fellow senior Chris Malott. The pair would eventually connect on a 33-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. After two games, Bennett has thrown for over 500 yards and four touchdowns. He has also accounted for two touchdowns on the ground.