SE Set to Host NWOSU for Homecoming Weekend

DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern is set to welcome Northwestern Oklahoma State to Paul Laird Field as the Savage Storm host their 2021 Homecoming festivities, highlighted by the Oct. 16 matchup against the Rangers set for 2 p.m.
 
SE heads into Saturday's matchup looking to secure a winning season as it enters the weekend with a 5-1 record.
 
The contest is the 79^th meeting between the in-state rivals, ranking it among the most played matchups for the Storm on the gridiron, with Southeastern holding a 47-30-1 record in the series all-time, including a four-game winning streak.
 
NWOSU comes into the weekend at 0-6 on the year following a 42-23 loss to Arkansas-Monticello.
 
SE on the other hand returns home following a 38-24 win over Southern Arkansas in which Daulton Hatley tossed for over 300 yards, Marquis Gray posted a 100-yard receiving game and the Storm forced three turnovers.
 
Hatley lifted his season yardage mark to 1,519 while completing 63.2 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns.
 
Gray's second 100-yard game of the season moved him to 404 receiving yards on the season on just 17 catches which leads the conference and ranks among the best in the nation at yards per reception with 23.8 per catch. He also has a pair of touchdowns.
 
He is by no means the only weapon the SE receiving corps features as Katrell Blakely leads the team in receptions with 27 for 271 yards and a touchdown, while Braxton Kincade has a team-best four receiving touchdowns on 25 catches for 304 yards. Duce Pittman rounds out a group of four players with 200-yards receiving or more by hauling in 17 catches for 239 and two TD's.
 
In all, seven different receivers have caught touchdown passes on the season.
 
CJ Shavers leads the rushing attack with 385 yards on 71 carries with a touchdown, while Deundre Wheeler has been cashing in drives with a team-best eight rushing touchdowns while racking up 263 yards on 48 carries.
 
Maalik Hall's 36 tackles lead the defense   as do his 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, while Scooter Baker and Josh Mulumba are right behind with 31 apiece.
 
Ke'Shawn Somerville and Jeremiah Baltrip each have five pass breakups on the season, while Mulumba, Conner Swope, Jaylen Shaw, and Keelan Chilton each have one pick.
 
NWOSU comes to town averaging 19.8 ppg on offense while the defense is allowing 44.8 per game, with the team allowing 40-or-more points in four of its six games this season.
 
The offense is led by Tanner Clarkson who has thrown for 1,591 yards while completing 60.2 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns.
 
Gavin Garner has been his primary target on the season with 33 catches for 634 yards and eight touchdowns, while Torrence Stevens has snagged 31 catches for 353 yards and two scores.
 
The rushing attack is led by Calion Brown who has picked up 281 yards on 62 carries with two touchdowns.
 
Defensively, James Ellis is pacing the team with 52 tackles, while Brian Holiday and Nehemiah Lewis each have 2.5 sacks to lead the team. Braxton Kearns has a pair of interceptions, while Dax Benway has five pass breakups on the year.