HOUSTON, Texas – Southeastern Louisiana University football put on a dominant display with a 37-7 win over HCU, marking their second Southland Conference victory of the season. The Lions scored 37 unanswered points to secure the road win at Husky Stadium, advancing to a 3-4 overall record and 2-0 in SLC play.
The Lions excelled in all phases of the game. Offensively, Southeastern relied on a versatile ground attack, with Rodeo Graham Jr. leading the team with 109 rushing yards and a touchdown. Antonio Martin Jr. added 93 yards and a score, while Harlan Dixon contributed with 49 rushing yards. Quarterback Eli Sawyer delivered a solid performance, completing 18 of 26 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, finding Cade Collier and Brandon Hayes for scoring connections.
After conceding an early touchdown to HCU on the game’s opening drive, Southeastern’s defense took control, registering a season-high seven sacks. Kadan Lewis and Jordan Okoye each had two sacks, while Shemar Pearl, Josh Randall, and Warren Peeples added to the total. Linebackers KK Reno and Donte’ Daniels were defensive standouts, recording 12 tackles apiece, while Khamron Ford intercepted an HCU pass.
Southeastern’s special teams also played a crucial role in the victory. Darius Lewis was exceptional, setting a single-game school record with 39.3 yards per punt return, including returns of 62 and 55 yards. Brant Monistere and Corey Lorio contributed by partially blocking HCU punts. Returning to action after a brief absence, placekicker Riley Callaghan was perfect, converting all three of his field goal attempts and all four extra points.
HCU struck first with a 40-yard touchdown run by Clint Dozier to take a 7-0 lead. However, Southeastern quickly responded with an 11-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Sawyer’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Collier, tying the game at 7-7.
After an HCU punt and a 55-yard return by Lewis, SLU failed to capitalize, turning the ball over on downs. HCU briefly advanced into Lion territory before the SLU defense held strong. Southeastern then drove 70 yards, with Callaghan’s 27-yard field goal giving the Lions a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter.
Monistere’s punt block set SLU up with good field position, but the Lions couldn’t extend the lead. However, Ford’s interception led to a 3-yard touchdown pass from Sawyer to Hayes, extending the lead to 17-7. Callaghan added another field goal to give SLU a 20-7 lead heading into halftime.
Southeastern’s dominance continued into the second half, with Martin Jr.’s 1-yard touchdown run and Graham Jr.’s 87-yard sprint sealing the 37-7 win.
Southeastern, now 2-0 in Southland play, returns home for their next two games, starting with a homecoming matchup against Stephen F. Austin at Strawberry Stadium.
