A strong running game and opportunistic defense were the pivotal keys last week as the Southeastern Savage Storm notched their third straight gridiron victory, toppling Arkansas Tech, 35-10, at Paul Laird Field.
The Savage Storm defense forced three turnovers, two of which turned into points, including a 77-yard interception return touchdown by Kole McKnight that put the game virtually on ice early in the final quarter.
Southeastern’s offense meanwhile turned in its best rushing performance of the season, tallying 278 yards on the ground to grind its way to victory while the visitors were limited to just 45 yards rushing.
“Arkansas Tech had some explosive guys and we gave up a few big plays, but the defense forced several turnovers that were critical,” head coach Bo Atterberry stated afterward. “I would have liked to have started a little better offensively but we eventually got the running game going, which was good to see on a wet, rainy day like today. We took care of the ball, which was the most important thing and won the turnover battle.
“It’s nice to be on a threegame win streak but we know there is a lot of work to do, especially when we travel to the number two team in the nation this week. We are excited about the opportunity though against a highly-ranked opponent in Harding.”
Following an early exchange of punts, the Wonder Boys took advantage of good field position to drive into the red zone before settling for a 24-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with five minutes gone in the second stanza.
Southeastern immediately answered with an eight-play, 82-yard march that included four straight Levay Duncan completions and culminated with a Duncan five-yard scoring burst.
The Savage Storm defense forced a quick three-and-out to get the ball back and Duncan then went for distance on a 52-yard touchdown run that extended the lead to 14-3 going into the halftime break.
Coming out of intermission, Southeastern got a massive 50-yard kickoff return by Kameron Lockhart to set itself up with great field position and turned that into a 21-3 edge moments later with a Duncan four-yard scoring dart to Colton Simpson.
Arkansas Tech answered with a 52-yard touchdown bomb in which the Savage Storm defender fell down, but Southeastern’s defense went to work from there by forcing turnovers on three of the next four Wonder Boy possessions and cruised home from there.
In addition to the McKnight pick six, the Savage Storm also added an offensive touchdown on a one-yard Lockhart run that was set up by Chancy Lester Jr.’s 71-yard cross country burst.
Duncan finished with 175 total yards, including 98 through the air on 11 of 19 passing. Lester rushed 11 times for 120 yards while Lockhart chipped in 47 yards on 10 carries.
Prince Dweh tallied nine tackles as well as a fumble recovery while Jacob Geddes added eight with a huge effort that included four for losses, one sack and a forced fumble.
The Savage Storm hit the road Saturday for a 2 p.m. kickoff at defending conference champ and secondranked Harding University.
