By Joey McWilliams
DURANT – Joel Carlos sent through a 48-yard field goal with 57 second remaining to give Southeastern a 27-24 win over archival East Central on Saturday.
It was the first lead of the game for the Storm, who won their fourth straight in the series that has now been played 101 times.
ECU had the advantage over SE in nearly every statistical category except the score.
The Tigers scored early on a long 17-play drive and followed that with a one-play score to take a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter and led 17-7 at the half.
Carlos made a 19-yard field goal midway through the third quarter to get the Storm within one score, then the momentum finally swung the way of the home team.
On the ensuing ECU possession, SE held the Tigers to a three-and-out forcing a punt. Freshman O.J. Walker eluded a host of Tigers, spinning and escaping and eventually taking the return 56 yards and in for the score to knot the game at 17 apiece.
The teams traded touchdowns before Southeastern got a turnover late to set up the final score. Junior Sherman Gilbert picked off ECU quarterback Ray John Austin-Ramsey and gave the Storm the final possession they needed for the win.
It is the third time in four seasons that Southeastern has finished with seven wins and the fourth straight year to have a winning record. SE is the only D-II program in Oklahoma to have a winning season in each of the last four years.