by Taylor Hodges

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Faulkner football team (4-3, 2-1 Sun) lost 49-35 in a physical Mid-South Conference Sun Division matchup against No. 14 Southeastern University (5-1, 2-0 Sun) this afternoon at Billy D. Hilyer Stadium.

It was back and forth for most of the first quarter until a punt by Chris Watts was returned 38 yards deep into Faulkner territory setting up the Fire's first score.

SEU took a 14-0 lead in the second quarter before Clayton Nicholas found Terrance Sims for a 47-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit in half.

Nicholas capped Faulkner's first half scoring when he tossed his second score of the afternoon, again Sims, this time from 27 yards. T

he Eagles trailed 28-14 at the break.

Joe Jones secured Faulkner's lone rushing touchdown of the day in the third quarter, but SEU answered immediately returning its lead to a 14 points.

The Eagles offense then showed some creativity when Jones fired a 29-yard touchdown strike to a wide-open Jacob McCrary after a receiving a lateral from Nicholas.

SEU answered yet again, but a 68-yard touchdown pass from Nicholas to McCrary on the first play of Faulkner's ensuing drive would cut the Fire lead back to seven.

SEU stayed true to form, however, and again found the end zone, officially putting the game out of reach. The visitors accumulated 449 yards rushing in the contest.

Nicholas was 30-for-55 with 458 yards and three touchdowns in the game.

McCrary recorded 212 yards receiving on nine catches and had two touchdowns. Sims tallied 127 yards on eight catches and also scored twice.

Jones secured 34 of Faulkner's 37 rushing yards on five attempts and booked a touchdown. He also had 29 yards on his only passing attempt which also resulted in a score.

Daniel Johnson led the Eagles in tackles with 15 followed by Vandy Smith with 13. 

Ryan Lee added 11 while  Willie Bland and Keith Bryant each had 10. Bryant added a forced fumble to his tally.

Faulkner's next game will be against Warner University in Lake Whales, Florida, on October 28. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. central.