Higgins, Muleriders take care of Tigers

Murphy USA Classic up next

Southern Arkansas linebacker Kobe McDonald of Magnolia breaks up a pass intended for East Central’s Jeremiah Jefferson Saturday afternoon at Wilkins Stadium. The Muleriders used a strong second half to win 48-9.
Southern Arkansas linebacker Kobe McDonald of Magnolia breaks up a pass intended for East Central’s Jeremiah Jefferson Saturday afternoon at Wilkins Stadium. The Muleriders used a strong second half to win 48-9.

Southern Arkansas senior Karonce Higgins had a big day as the No. 22 Muleriders defeated East Central Oklahoma 48-9 on homecoming.

The receiver had seven catches for 161 yards and three touchdowns, with his longest covering 52 yards.

SAU, improving to 7-1 overall and in the GAC, will head to El Dorado this Saturday for a Murphy USA Classic matchup with the Henderson State Reddies.

Kickoff at Memorial Stadium is set for 2 p.m.,.

Though the Muleriders won by 39 points, the going was tough during the first two quarters.

“Obviously it was a tale of two halves. I can’t explain or put a finger on it,” said SAU head coach Bill Keopple.

The Muleriders struggled through a scoreless first quarter and fell behind 3-0 with less than two minutes to play in the second period off a 34-yard field goal by ECU’s Bobby Schmidt.

SAU finally got an offensive spark before the half when Higgins caught a 51-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Barrett Renner with 23 seconds on the clock.

Austin Wilkerson failed on his PAT attempt and the Muleriders led 6-3 at the half.

“That first half was something, but that second half is what we want to look like,” said Keopple.

The Muleriders piled up 42 second-half points, including 21 unanswered in the third quarter alone.

Higgins had a 93-yard kickoff return brought back at the start of the third period, but the Muleriders still managed to score.

With 10:54 on the clock, Keiandre Purifoy crossed from the 1, putting SAU up 13-3 after the PAT.

Higgins’ 37-yard catch on the next drive set up a 2-yard touchdown pass to Lorenzo Alexander, stretching the lead to 20-3.

Following a fumble recovery, the Muleriders’ went ahead 27-3 on Higgins’ 52-yard touchdown reception with 1:33 on clock.

At the start of the final period, the Tigers added some more points on a 7-yard touchdown pass from David Cornwell to Dilland Gardner.

At two-point attempt failed, leaving the score 27-9.

SAU answered with three more scores before the game ended.

Following Alexanders’ 36-yard run, Purifoy scored from the 3 to make it 34-9.

Higgins third TD of the day came on a 4-yard pass from Renner, making it 41-9.

SAU’s final score came when backup quarterback Hayden Mallory threw a 24-yard TD pass to Micah Small with 2:26 to play.

“We had a talk with them at half-time and they responded. They got after it. We’re running the ball and they can’t stop us, which opens up your passing game and make other things work smoother,” explained Keopple.

Defensively, DaVondrick Lison, Kaseem Smith and Anthony Washington each produced six tackles. Antonio Washington forced a fumble that Kobe McDonald recovered and Malachi Pointer delivered a pair of quarterback hurries.

SAU held the Tigers to just nine first downs and 206 yards of total offense, including just 76 through the air.

The Mulerider offense totaled 504 yards in 72 plays.

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