The Lion’s Roar / Morgan Ledet
The Lions leap for a tackle in attempt to stop Tulane from getting a first down. Despite their efforts, the Lions faced a staggering 35-20 loss.

The Lions football team had their first loss of the season against the Tulane Green Waves, Saturday night at Yulman Stadium. Tulane finished strong with a 35-20 victory over the Lions.  

The players of the night were seniors Isiah Corbett, Tyler Stoddard, Marice Sutton, and juniors Denzel Thompson and Micah Eugene. Each of these players’ performances contributed to the Lions’ final score of 20 points. 

The Lions had 271 total yards Saturday night. Senior quarterback and Walter Payton Award candidate Bryan Bennett finished the night with 16-for-34 completions for a total of 213 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed for his 19th career touchdown. Senior Devante Scott and junior Jeff Smiley were Bennett’s top receivers, and Jeremy Meyers caught his first touchdown of the year.

Tulane was quick to add 21 points to the score in the first half. The Lions fought hard in the first half, but could only get three points with 44-yard field goal by kicker Ryan Adams.

Defensive linebacker Corbett had two interceptions, which put the Lions in Tulane territory, but the Lions could not capitalize either time. Stoddard contributed eight tackles and along with Sutton made numerous sacks. Adams contributed to the score numerous times throughout the game. A career long field goal 49 yards in the fourth quarter and a 44-yard field goal gave the Lions their first points of the night.

In the second quarter, Thompson stripped the ball from Tulane freshman Sherman Badie, and Eugene fell on the ball on the Tulane 29-yard line. The Lions could not get a first down, but this drive ended with a 43-yard field goal attempt by Adams that fell short.

One of Corbett’s interceptions was early in the third quarter, putting the Lions in Tulane territory. This drive was cut short by an interception from Bennett. The two teams then traded punts, but Tulane looked like they were going to lead the next possession. However, the Lions defense held the Green Wave to a field goal attempt, but a bad snap left Andrew DiRocco’s kick short and to the left.

The Lions’ first touchdown of the night was in the second half with a touchdown pass from Bennett to Scott. 

In the fourth quarter, the Lions came through on their drive with a 42-yard strike from Bennett to Scott with an 80-yard scoring drive. Meyers broke free and caught a pass in the left corner of the end zone from 7-yards to make the score 28-10 with 35 seconds left in the third quarter.  Adams contributed to the score with a career long 49-yard field goal in the fourth quarter making the score 28-13.

With hope the Lions would make a comeback, a rush broke free for a 74-yard catch and run gave Tulane a bigger lead of 35-13 with just over 11 minutes left. 

Junior Xavier Roberson, the 2013 College Football Performance Awards Kick Returner of the Year, put Southeastern on the edge of scoring on the kick-off with a 79-yard return.  Bennett capped with a sneak run from a yard out to put the score at 35-20 with eight minutes to play.

The Lions drove into Tulane territory, but Sam Scofield picked off Bennett deep in Green Wave terrain to end Southeastern’s chance of scoring.

The defense continued to hold strong and Southeastern looked to have cut the lead, but a 70-yard Bennett to Scott touchdown was called back because of an illegal block. However, the Lions managed to get all the way to the Tulane 6-yard line. The Lions offense never gave up but their scoring drive ended just short of the end zone.

The Lions will travel to Southeast Missouri on Sept. 20 for a 6 p.m. game in Cape Girardeau, Mo. The game will be live streamed on the QVC Digital Network. The game will also be broadcast live in the Hammond area on the flagship station of Southeastern Football, KSLU-FM (90.9).  

The Lion’s Roar / Tamara Alexander
Tulane prevented the Lion offense from getting anything going on the ground. The Lions rushed 36 times for a season-low 58 yards.   Southeastern made a late push, out-scoring Tulane 17-7 in the second half, but the Green Wave’s dominant touchdown in the fourth quarter wiped away any dreams of a Lion comeback.