MARSHALL, Texas — In search of its first 2-0 start since 1986, the Oklahoma Panhandle State football team (1-1) wrapped up its nonconference schedule with a trip to East Texas Baptist (2-0) Saturday night, where it fell, 28-0.
 
A tough opening quarter to the night doomed the Aggies, but OPSU kept ETBU under wraps by shutting out the strong NCAA Division III opponent in the second half, keeping the damage to 28 points allowed against a Tiger team that scored 47 in its Week 1 matchup.
 
The first drive was promising for the visitors as Rylan Johnson gained consistent positive yardage on the ground and Cache Barrett was able to complete his first three passes. A lost fumble brought the 46-yard drive to an end, however, and Panhandle State's offense was unable to recover in a turnover- and punt-laden first half.
 
With the Aggies trailing 28-0 late in the second quarter, a creative play saw Justin Lewis hit Teandre Newcomb for a 64-yard completion that put OPSU in business. Alas, a missed field goal kept the visitors off the scoreboard, and positive momentum was never sustained thereafter.
 
Barrett led Panhandle State through the air with 97 yards on 13-for-16 passing. Tach Brewer added 51 passing yards on three completions, but the OPSU quarterbacks were under constant duress, taking seven sacks.
 
Johnson and Brewer led a difficult rushing game for the Aggies, as they picked up 39 and 12 net yards, respectively.
 
Newcomb hauled in two passes for 90 yards receiving, including his career-long reception of 64. Dillon Laurer had five catches for 58 yards, and D'Kyri Williams caught three passes.
 
Defensively, Loren Snead snagged his eighth career interception to stop ETBU's first drive, and the senior combined for seven total tackles. Those seven stops were matched on the Aggies only by Nate Orta.
 
Freshman linebacker Denis Schmidt came away with the Aggies' only sack – the first of his career – and a forced fumble, also a career-first.
 
What's up next: OPSU plays its Hall of Fame Game to open the Sooner Athletic Conference season at home on Saturday, Sept. 20, versus No. 18 OUAZ (2-0, 2-0 SAC).