Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU) Aggies football team battled it out against the RV-ranked Louisiana Christian University (LCU) Wildcats.
The first quarter set the tone for the game as the Wildcats scored first with a field goal from the 25-yard line, making it LCU 3, OPSU 0 at the end of the first quarter. The opening quarter saw both teams engaged in a fierce ground battle. However, the Aggies' Arron Acosta-Lewis provided a pivotal moment when he forced a fumble with just 4:02 left in the first quarter and then recovered it.
As the second quarter began, the Wildcats started with the ball, but the Aggies' Ben Lowery came up with a game-changing play by sacking the Wildcats' quarterback and forcing a fumble, which he also managed to recover. Building on this momentum, OPSU seized the opportunity and scored on a remarkable 40-yard rushing touchdown by Brandon Stephens. Alan Munoz's successful point-after attempt put the Aggies in the lead.
The Aggies' defense showcased their resilience, holding the Wildcats to a field goal, making the score LCU 6 - OPSU 7. Before the break, the Wildcats started an impressive drive from OPSU's 43-yard line, but the Aggies' defense stood firm, denying them a touchdown and limiting them to another field goal.
The second half began with OPSU facing a challenging situation after being charged with roughing the kicker on a field goal attempt in the second quarter. This penalty was enforced on the OPSU kickoff, resulting in the Wildcats starting their drive from the 50-yard line. Taking advantage of the favorable field position, LCU scored to increase their lead to 16-7.
Undeterred, the Aggies mounted a comeback. On the subsequent drive, they scored with a 10-yard rushing touchdown by CJ Campbell. Alan Munoz once again delivered a successful point-after attempt, narrowing the score to LCU 16 - OPSU 14.
The Aggies' defense continued to shine when Jazzir Merricks forced a fumble during the next Wildcats' possession, and Merricks himself recovered the ball. OPSU converted this turnover into points with an Alan Munoz field goal from the 27-yard line, giving the Aggies their first lead of the game at OPSU 17 - LCU 16.
As the fourth quarter began, the Wildcats managed to run the ball in for a 3-yard touchdown, but their two-point conversion attempt failed, resulting in a score of LCU 22 - OPSU 17. OPSU's Garrett Hannon then displayed his punting prowess with a remarkable 50-yard punt, downing the ball at the LCU 1-yard line. However, the Wildcats controlled the clock and ran the ball down the field, scoring another touchdown with a successful point-after attempt to seal the game with a final score of 29-17 in their favor.
Head Coach Cory Miller, reflecting on the game, said, "We are one quarter away from being top in this conference. We just need to find that missing part to get us over the edge, whether it's preparation or personnel or whatever it is. Proud of the guys, proud of the effort, it's a tough offense to go against, they average about 50 points a game in conference play and we were able to cut that in half, but we gotta be able to pick the good stuff with the bad and we will wake up, the sun will come up and we will get better."
The OPSU Aggies will hit the road next week for the Battle of the Bell against Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. The highly anticipated matchup is scheduled for Saturday, October 7th, at 2 PM.
