Wildcats Take on Southwestern in ASC Home Opener

9/22/2017 1:00:00 PM

By: LC Sports Information

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After a disappointing outing last week against the #8 ranked Hardin-Simmons Cowboys, the Louisiana College Wildcats return to Wildcat Stadium this week for the first of two straight American Southwest Conference games. LC welcomes Southwestern University to Pineville for a 1:00 PM kickoff on "Salute our Heroes" day at the Saturday's game.

The first quarter of last week's contest with HSU was either team's to control, but it was the Cowboys that were able to seize the opportunities in the second quarter to propel them to a 55-10 win over the Wildcats. LC struggled to convert on third down in the game, going 8-for-24 in those situations, putting the quick-striking Hardin-Simmons offense back on the field. The Wildcats were held to less than 300 yards of offense for the first time since their 2015 trip to Hardin-Simmons that ended in an 82-21 loss to the Cowboys.

Southwestern comes into the contest at 1-2 on the season and 1-1 in ASC play after last week's 28-10 loss to East Texas Baptist. The Pirates balanced attack of 179 yards each through the air and on the ground could not capitalize near the end zone, resulting in just the one touchdown. Two costly turnovers, including a fumble on the ETBU one yard line doomed the Pirates in the game. Quarterback Fred Hover finished with 223 yards of total offense, 69 rushing and 154 passing, with the only touchdown coming on a 15-yard pass to receiver Zac Richards. On the season the Pirates come in as the conference's top rushing attack, averaging over 300 yards per game on the ground on 54.7 rushes per game.

"This is going to be one of the hardest fought games that we play this year," head coach Justin Charles said. "Teams that want to establish the run are physical players. So we've got to make sure to match their physicality and be ready for the challenge. They do a couple unorthodox things offensively with their run game, out of their flex bone style. We struggled at times last week with our execution and the good thing about playing Southwestern and their style this week is that we have to get back to assignment football if we want to have success slowing them down."

This is the first meeting between the two teams in history, as Southwestern joins the ASC as a football school this season in only the fifth season after the football program was reinstated prior to the 2013 season.

The reserved parking lot between the stadium and Cottingham Hall is reserved for season ticket holder, LC Board of Visitor members, LC trustees. General parking is available throughout campus inside on a first come first serve basis. Gates open one hour before kickoff and general admission tickets are available for $10 or $8 for non-LC students, children 12 and under get in for free. Reserved chair back seats are also available for purchase at the gate for $25. All police, fire, EMT, and military personnel that attend the game are asked to register at the table near the stadium for our annual "Salute our Heroes" halftime recognition.

Saturday's game will be live streamed under the supervision of Mr. Jeff Young by students in the Louisiana College Convergence Media Department. The game can also be heard live on 104.3 FM "The Bridge" with the voice of the Wildcats Rich Dupree, along with Doug Gann and Al Quartemont. Pregame coverage begins at 12:30.

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