Kingsville - Josh Postin scored on a 3-yard run in overtime to give Southwestern Oklahoma State a 23-17 overtime win over the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas in the season opener for both teams at Javelina Stadium.
The Bulldogs jumped out to a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter, but true freshman quarterback Jeremy Heatley connected with wide receiver Ryan Richardson over the middle, Richardson bounced off two would-be Bulldog tacklers and ran down the sideline for a 54-yard touchdown to tie the score with just 44 seconds left in regulation.
The Bulldog defense held the Javelinas to two yards on three plays in overtime and freshman placekicker Scott Schlebach missed a 40-yard field goal attempt.
Southwestern Oklahoma State drove to the Javelina 6-yard line and lined up to attempt a potential game-winning 22-yard field goal. The snap on the attempt was high, but it was pulled down by holder and backup quarterback Beau Dodson. Dodson scrambled, threw the ball to placekicker Spencer Daniel, who caught the ball and ran to the Javelina 3-yard line to give the Bulldogs a first down and set up the game winning score.
"We couldn't tackle the kicker," said Javelina head coach Richard Cundiff of the game changing play. "I didn't know what to think tonight with so many new kids playing. I was ready for anything. I thought we would play better and I'm disappointed we got beat."
The Bulldogs jumped on the Javelinas early, scoring 10 points in the first 11 minutes of the game.
After scoring on a Daniel 25-yard field goal on the opening drive, Bulldog quarterback Jimmy Sangster connected with freshman wide receiver Johnathan Haggerty on an 80-yard touchdown pass.
With less than two minutes gone in the second quarter, Sangster connected with Haggerty on an 18-yard score to make it 17-0.
But the Javelinas got a big special teams play to turn the momentum around.
With 4:43 left in the half, Stuart Moffit blocked a punt which was scooped up by J.T. Hosey who ran 14 yards for a touchdown.
"That was a big play," said Cundiff. "It gave us a spark and gave us a chance to win the ballgame."
The Javelinas still trailed 17-10 entering the fourth quarter, but Schelbach kicked a 28-yard field goal with 4:19 left and the Javelina defense held the Bulldogs on the following possession.
After a short Bulldog punt, the Javelinas took over at their own 43-yard line with 2:03 left and just one timeout remaining.
After a loss of seven of the first play of the drive, Heatley hit Richardson for a gain of 10 and on the next play connected on the game-tying touchdown.
Heatley finished the night 11 of 16 for 113 yards, one score and no interceptions.
Southwestern Oklahoma out-gained the Javelinas 301 to 248, but the Javelina defense held the Bulldogs to just 57 second half yards.
The Javelinas host Texas A&M-Commerce in Kingsville Saturday night.
# GO JAVELINAS #
