Courtesy of Southeastern Louisiana Athletics
HAMMOND, La. – Before the first snap was even taken, Southeastern Louisiana’s defense was spotted 21 points against a high-powered offense. But with a scoring system that rewarded them with three points per takeaway, the defense found ways to get into the scoring column.
Robert Alford and Craig Duronslet each intercepted a pair of passes and spearheaded a ball-hawking defensive unit that picked seven throws and claim a 42-28 win as Southeastern wrapped up spring practice with its annual Green and Gold game on Saturday at Strawberry Stadium.
Tay Alford, Joey Meerman and Ronald Johnson each recorded interceptions and held the offense to four rushing scores.
Duronslet, a former St. James High product, gave the defense its first points of the day after picking off a deflected pass by B.J. Young on the game’s eighth play. The junior added his second interception in the second quarter when he stepped in front of a Young pass at the Green (Offense) 34.
Alford, a former Hammond High product, picked off a Tyler Beatty pass in the first period and returned it 33 yards to the Green 33. Alford added his second pick in the third quarter when he picked Beatty off a second time at the Gold (Defense) 20.
Offensively, Southeastern had its moments with Beatty and Young each scoring on long touchdown runs with Zeke Jones and walk-on Michael Chaney scoring on runs of 2 and 3 yards respectively. The Lions gained 487 yards – 247 on the ground - in the 111-play scrimmage.
Sam Fairley led the Lions on the ground gaining 75 yards on 14 carries while Jones, a former Springfield High product, added 60 yards on 15 carries. Young, who scored on an 18-yard scamper, went 21-for-31 for 141 yards for the Lions while Beatty, who added a 20-yard rushing touchdown, was 15-for-27 for 99 yards.
Fairley and redshirt freshman Tony McCrea each caught a game-high six passes for the Lions while Andre Cryer added five receptions.
Mark Newbill recorded a game-high nine tackles for Southeastern with Kendrick Jackson adding eight stops with Quinton Foster and Michael Ducksworth recording seven stops each.
Southeastern will open its season Sept. 4 against Tulane in the Louisiana Superdome before opening its five-game home schedule on Sept. 11 against Tennessee-Martin.