2014 Southwestern Football
Southwestern Pirates (1-1)
Oklahoma Baptist (3-1)
Saturday | September 27 | 1:30 p.m. | Bison Stadium (Directions) | Shawnee, Okla. (Weather) | Ticket Information

VIDEO/AUDIO: KMAC Sports (click here)
Merle Bertrand (play-by-play), Phillip Dowden (color)

LIVE STATS: Oklahoma Baptist Live Stats

COMPLETE NOTES IN PDF FORMAT – Click Here

THE GAME

The Pirates look to get back in the win column and exact a little revenge at Oklahoma Baptist. Southwestern fell to the Bison last year in Georgetown as OBU picked up their first program win as they were also in their first season of football as well. Southwestern will have to face another impressive rushing attack as the Bison rank in the top 20 nationally in NAIA in rushing.

THE SERIES

A young rivalry that was born on nearly the same timeline as Oklahoma Baptist added football at the varsity level in 2013 ... The Bison were one of two first-year football program's on the Pirates schedule last year with Hendrix who is the Pirates will not play in 2014 ... Southwestern trailed by just seven points late in the 3rd quarter in last year's game at Birkelbach Field before OBU scored on two 60-plus yard drives

THE COACHES

Joe Austin (Concordia-St. Paul '01)

Austin is in his sixth year as a head coach and second at Southwestern after spending the previous four seasons at Hanover College where he led the Panthers to back-to-back second place finishes in the HCAC. He was also the offensive coordinator at the University of Dubuque after spending time at Augsburg College and his alma mater, Concordia-St. Paul.

Chris Jensen (Oklahoma '92)

Jensen also is in the process of rebuilding a football program at Oklahoma Baptist and has the Bison off to a 3-1 start in their second year. After starting the football program at Southmoore High School (Okla.) in 2008, Jensen begins his first year in the college ranks. He quickly helped turn Southmoore into a playoff contender and was named Oklahoma 6A-1 Coach of the Year in 2009. Jensen was a varsity letterman on the offensive line at Oklahoma.

QUICK HITS

• The Pirates and Bison meet for the second time in school history as both programs were reinstated in 2013. Oklahoma Baptist edged Southwestern in the inaugural meeting last year, 42-21.

• Last year's meeting left a bad taste with the Pirates. After cutting the Bison lead (28-21) to a touchdown midway through the third quarter, OBU scored 14 points in a span of two minutes including a 53-yard run.

• Saturday the Pirates will have another tough task at stopping the run. After allowing 294 yards on the ground, Southwestern will face an OBU rushing attack led by Dawson Myers who has two 100-yard rushing games this season and ranks 21st in NAIA in rushing. Myers leads the Central States League with 330 yards, but was held to just 49-yards on the ground in the Bison first loss of the season at Oklahoma Panhandle State. 

• Justin Broussard added his third sack of the season and his second in the SCAC in sacks again through just two games. He is also first in the league in tackles for a loss and ranks 21st nationally with 5.5 while his 3 forced fumbles lead NCAA III.

• Bryan Hicks also ranks among the nation's leaders as the sophomore quarterback ranks in the top 50 in passing touchdowns (26) and yards per game (41) while leading the SCAC in both categories. He also leads the league in passing efficiency, yards per completion, and points responsible for.

• With an impressive opening weekend with four interceptions the Pirates became one of the toughest teams to pass on in the nation adding two more picks. Southwestern ranks 13th in NCAA III and leads the SCAC with six interceptions on the year.

SCOUTING THE PIRATES

Riding a wave of confidence the most exciting aspect of the young season for Southwestern is they have yet to put together a complete game. The passing game and pass defense has been outstanding as have the return game - if the Pirates can stop the run and establish the run on offense, the outcome sets up well for SU.

OFFENSE

Quarterback Bryan Hicks has found his rhythm with his receivers with a SCAC leading 7 touchdowns Hicks has now thrown for 518 yards through two games with just one interception. Matt Gillen, Micah Sherman and Dante Smith have been favorite targets with 27 catches, 345 yards and 4 touchdowns between the trio. However, the Pirate rushing attack has started to take shape, with a quite 100-yard rushing game in the opener for Justin Pelt he is averaging 4.8 ypc and scored his 2nd touchdown last week.

DEFENSE

With arguably the best defense in the league, the Pirates lead the SCAC in turnovers with 6 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries. Led by Justin Broussard's 3 sacks the Pirates are becoming a force on the defensive line. Nik Kelly ranks among the NCAA III in interceptions (2nd) and in the top 10 in passes defended.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Pirates return game has seen Alan Peralta and Colton Williams establish their self on kickoffs with over 100 yards on six returns each. Working one into the mix on punt returns will be a key as the season progresses.

SCOUTING THE BISON

Oklahoma Baptist enters the weekend averaging 477 ypg on offense and have posted more than 550 yards of total offense twice this season. With 1,155 yards rushing it's easy to say the majority of the Bison yards have come on the ground. Putting up at least 47 points in their three wins the Bison pose another tough offensive test for the Pirates.

OFFENSE

The Bison offense begins with Dawson Myers who has two 100-yd rushing games and is averaging 7.2 ypc and 82 ypg. Jordan Barnes has also rushed for 295 yards in four games while QB, Blake Woodard has thrown for 700 yards. OBU rushed for 305 yards last season with two running backs over 130 yards with Darryl Fields adding 3 rushing TDs. Nyko Symonds caught 6 passes for 103 yards last season and returns as top receiver with 23 catches, but the favorite end zone target has been Derek Serowski with 4 touchdowns catches.

DEFENSE

Blake Johnson has 4 tackles for a loss while Tyler Day is the leading tackler for the Bison with 29 tackles. The Bison secondary will be put to the test as they have 8 interceptions through four games.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Eugene Estes has been a solid return-man for the Bison with 7 returns for 85 yards and 1 touchdown. Kicker Trey Tully has been less used, but is 3-for-3 on field goal attempts with a long of 39-yards.