A monster fake punt from deep in their own end of the field on the first play of the final quarter Saturday night proved to be crucial on Southeastern’s go-ahead scoring drive as the Savage Storm rallied for a 14-10 victory at Oklahoma Baptist.
“It was a battle through adversity,” head coach Bo Atterberry said afterward. “We put together some pieces here and there and were finally able to punch a couple in during the second half that proved to be the difference. It wasn’t the prettiest, but we’ll take a win anytime we can get it.”
The Southeastern defense only yielded 64 total yards on nine first half possessions for the Bison but three Savage Storm turnovers often put them in difficult positions. One of those came at their own 16 yard line following a muffed punt that resulted in the only OBU touchdown.
OBU added a field goal without gaining a yard after covering a Southeastern fumble early in the second quarter.
Frustratingly, four Savage Storm first half drives came up scoreless inside the 30-yard line and that continued into the third period when the opening possession ended on downs at the OBU 7.
Atterberry’s squad finally broke the ice with a 67-yard touchdown run by Kameron Lockhart with six minutes left in the frame that narrowed the gap to 10-7.
The Southeastern offense looked to be stymied at its own 27 facing fourthand- nine when they went to the trick bag and came up with the play of the game, converting on a 36yard run by D’Teaurean Johnson.
Eight plays later Donovan Shannon barreled in from a yard away after carrying it down to the one on a 23-yard pass from Luke Hohenberger.
Oklahoma Baptist missed a field goal with 8:36 left and Kamron Fields picked off a Bison pass on the next series.
The Bison then marched into the red zone for one final opportunity in the final minutes but the Savage Storm rose to the challenge by holding on downs with 37 seconds remaining to preserve the triumph.
Southeastern rolled up a season-high 339 yards rushing with Lockhart leading the charge with 143 yards on 11 totes. Shannon added 86 yards on 15 carries while Jonathan Cobb chipped in 14 rushes for 58 yards.
De’Angelo Shanks posted five tackles, including two for losses, one sack and forced a fumble while filling up the stat sheet for the Savage Storm defense.
The Savage Storm return home to face Henderson State on Saturday for Homecoming at 2 p.m.
