GEORGETOWN, Texas. -- A 30-point fourth quarter wasn't enough as the Loggers almost completed an impressive comeback against Southwestern University.
How it Happened
The Loggers' evening was highlighted by a prolific passing attack, as quarterback
Hayden Teeter went 52-85 with five touchdowns and 560 yards through the air.
It took a while for the Loggers to lift off, though, as the Pirates got off to a quick 7-0 start. Puget Sound responded immediately after, starting their drive deep in their own territory. They just needed four plays to respond, as Teeter found sophomore
Darius Bailey for a 35-yard touchdown. A blocked extra point kept the Loggers down one, but their solid drive kept them in it early.
The Pirates defense started to heat up, as they scored the next four touchdowns to make the score 35-6. Puget Sound put together a solid drive to start the second quarter, but couldn't convert as the Pirates took advantage. They finished the half down 29, but a major halftime adjustment turned things around for the Loggers.
Puget Sound's defense forced a quick three-and-out to start the second half, and their offense put the first points on the board in the second half. After a Southwestern missed field goal, the Loggers drove 80 yards down the field and punched in a score. Teeter found
Khaleel Robinson this time, finding him over the middle to cap off a nine-play drive.
Southwestern then forced a safety to make it 13-37, and then tacked on another touchdown to make it 13-44 to end the third quarter. The Loggers' offense caught fire in the fourth, though, bringing the Loggers right back into the game.
Teeter relied on his arm and one of the best receiving corps in the nation, finding Bailey twice before firing a 22-yard pass to
Isaac Tran as he found his way into the end zone. Another missed extra point kept it at 19-44, but the Loggers' defense held strong, stopping the Pirates on fourth down deep into Logger territory.
Tran showed out again, as Teeter targeted him six times in a nine-play drive, finding him for another score. A successful two-point conversion helped the Loggers out, getting them even more back into the game. With nothing to lose, the Loggers attempted an onside kick, which they converted, giving them a chance with a short field.
Teeter drove the Loggers down the field, finding Robinson for his second touchdown of the day. Another successful two-point conversion pulled the Loggers within nine, but a failed onside kick gave the Pirates solid field position. Southwestern only needed one play to strike back, pulling 16 points ahead with under five minutes to go.
The Loggers drove all the way down to the Pirate seven-yard line on the very next drive, but couldn't convert on fourth down as they gave the ball back to Southwestern. A last hope by the Loggers with eight seconds left pulled them within eight, but a failed onside kick dampened their chances, as they dropped the game 43-51.
Top Performers
Three receivers notched double-digit receptions and over 100 yards. Bailey pulled in 12 catches for 166 yards and 2 TDs, Tran had 11 receptions for 124 yards and 2 TDs, and
Joe Gallagher was the primary target, hauling in 14 receptions for 114 yards. Robinson also had two touchdowns, while
Nick Fernandez had six rushes for 71 yards.
Teeter was the star of the show, though, as he finished with 560 yards and 5 touchdowns, almost leading the Loggers back in the fourth quarter.
Coach's Thoughts
"As we showed today, we can be as good as anyone but also as inconsistent as we've shown at times," said Logger head coach
Jeff Thomas. "We have a prolific passing attack, but we started far too slowly and dug ourselves into too big a hole. What I'll take from this game is the never-quit nature of our group. Our senior leaders set the tone, and they showed that we'll compete until the final whistle."
What Happens Next
The Loggers return home for their last non-conference matchup, facing California Lutheran on September 20th. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 pm at Baker Stadium.
