Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Box Score Goodwell, Okla.—On September 13, 2014, the OPSU Aggie football team battled the Fort Lewis Skyhawks for their first home game of the season at Carl Wooten Field. Despite a thundering first quarter and a sizable lead by the Aggies, the Skyhawks flew into the second half with determination and stole the lead with a 45-38 fourth quarter comeback victory.

The Aggies fired on all cylinders to start the first quarter with a 50-yard pass on the first play of scrimmage that would ultimately lead to a 20-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Holbrook to Zacari Lavender. After a quick three-and-out caused by the Aggie defense, Holbrook and Lavender made another explosive connection for a 54-yard touchdown.

To get his team on the board, FLC quarterback Jordan Doyle used his legs for a 17-yard score. The Aggies continued to dominate for the rest of the first quarter with another touchdown pass from Holbrook to Anderson for 31 yards, and a three-yard touchdown run by Lavender. Going into halftime, the Aggies led the Skyhawks 28-10 after a 27-yard field goal by kicker Kipp Castanha late in the second quarter.

The shootout continued in the third quarter with a 29-yard field goal from Gabriel Ortega and a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown by Fort Lewis defender, Waalani Arroyo.

Starting the fourth quarter, the Aggies led the Skyhawks 31-17, but the game was far from over. The Skyhawks struck first with a 62-yard touchdown pass from Doyle to Andrew Johnson. Following a 65-yard touchdown pass from Holbrook to Devin Williams, the Aggies regained a comfortable 14-point lead; however, Fort Lewis managed to score on three consecutive drives to take a late fourth quarter lead. The Aggies had one last shot to tie the game, but came up inches short of a fourth down conversion.

Although the Aggies lost a tough heart-breaker, they held their heads high after playing a great game. Coach Russell Gaskamp supported his team by expressing his thoughts after the game. "Really tough loss last night; thought the team played great for three quarters; we just didn't make the plays needed to finish the game. I'm not worried about our team; we have very tough-minded kids that I know will bounce back. We need every fan possible in the stands when our team starts a big winning streak next week against OBU."

The Aggies racked up a total of 574 yards with the help of Holbrook's 370 yards passing and a combined effort of 204 rushing yards by the OPSU backfield. Tanner Hallford led the Aggie defense with 14 tackles and 2 sacks.

The Aggies will play their next home game against Oklahoma Baptist University Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2pm. The Aggies expect a big crowd and encourage everyone to wear red, get rowdy and REV IT UP!