GOODWELL, Oklahoma – In a game decided in the fourth quarter, the Louisiana Christian University Wildcats could not overcome their own mistakes in a 28-16 loss to Oklahoma Panhandle State University Saturday.

The Wildcats (1-4, 1-3) finished with six turnovers in the contest, including four interceptions and two fumbles. Despite that, the Wildcats were in position to possibly win the game heading into the fourth quarter with the Aggies (3-3, 3-2) leading 14-7.

But on their first drive of the quarter, LCU quarterback Sal Palermo, who finished 15 of 44 for 215 yards, was intercepted by Oklahoma Panhandle's Nathan Alvarado at the 2-yard line as he denied the Wildcats a chance to tie the game. Following that play, a large fight broke out between the two teams and resulted in multiple off-setting penalties.

OPSU responded with a huge, momentum-changing play when Brandon Stephens hit Jaishone Brown for an 80-yard touchdown pass which made the score 21-7 with 13:47 to play.

The Wildcats followed that score with back-to-pack possessions of just three and four plays before OPSU hit them again. Stephens connected with wide receiver Cuttino Rhea with a 25-yard touchdown pass that made the score 28-7 with just 6:44 left to play.

But LCU responded with a 6-play, 65-yard drive in just over two minutes that culminated with Palermo finding Ethan Christman in the back of the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown pass, which cut the lead to 28-14 with 4:37 to play.

After the Wildcats' defense forced OPSU into a punt, LCU marched down the field again with Palermo connecting with Tahj Smith on a 31-yard pass at the Aggies' 34-yard line. But the drive ended on Palermo's third interception of the game when Khavia Reese picked off the football at the 3-yard line.

LCU's defense would hold, however, and forced the Aggies into a punting situation at their own 3-yard line with 2:08 in the game, but OPSU would choose to take a safety when punter Javier Sinecio stepped out of the back of the end zone rather than make a risky kick. The safety cut the lead to 28-16 but left the Wildcats with only two minutes to complete a comeback.

Palermo would drive the Wildcats to the 27-yard line with 21-yard passes to Smith and Briscoe, but on third and ten, Palermo threw his fourth interception of the day. Jordin Hunter returned the pick 50 yards to the LCU 40 with just one minute left, effectively ending any comeback potential for the Wildcats.

The first half of the game saw a defensive struggle. The Wildcats had an early threat in the first quarter after Wilbert Robertson forced a fumble by Stephens and recovered the football himself at the OPSU 44. The Wildcats would drive to the 23-yard line but failed to convert on 4th down when Palermo's pass went through the hands of senior wide receiver Micah Dunn.

Later in the quarter, the Aggies scored the first points of the game. Quincy Jones' 6-yard touchdown run capped a 13-play, 77-yard drive to make the score 7-0.

OPSU would extend the lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter on a drive that began at the LCU 47 after Palermo's first interception of the day. Jaishone Brown's 8-yard touchdown reception from Stephens ended a 10-play, 47-yard drive. That made the score 14-0.

Later in the second, the Wildcats put together their best drive of the game to cut the lead in half. Palermo connected with Canaan Leon for a 14-yard touchdown pass after LCU had marched 90 yards in 11 plays. The Wildcats trailed at halftime 14-7.

Leading the way for LCU on offense was Devin Briscoe, who finished with 64 yards on 17 carries. Tahj Smith led LCU with 4 receptions for 65 yards. Defensive, LCU had a huge game from Robertson, who finished with 7 tackles, including 6 solo.

Next up for LCU is only their second home game of 2022, when the Wildcats host Arkansas Baptist Saturday at 2 p.m. As part of the halftime festivities, LCU will honor its 2012 football team. That Wildcats squad went 8-3 and was the only LC team to make the NCAA Division III football playoffs.