HOUSTON — On Saturday, Rodeo Graham Jr. showcased an impressive performance, rushing for 109 yards and sealing his team’s victory with an 87-yard touchdown dash early in the fourth quarter. This strong display helped Southeast Louisiana secure a dominant 37-7 victory over Houston Christian, propelling them into first place in the Southland Conference.

The Lions improved their record to 3-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play, marking their first back-to-back wins of the season.

The game began with a bang for Houston Christian (3-4, 1-1), as Champ Dozier opened the scoring with a 40-yard rushing touchdown, putting his team ahead 7-0 just over a minute into the contest. However, Southeast Louisiana swiftly responded, rattling off 37 consecutive points to seize control of the game and finish strong on the road.

Riley Callahan made his mark by successfully converting three field goals during the match, with two from 27 yards and another from 43 yards in the third quarter. Quarterback Eli Sawyer added to the scoring effort by tossing two short touchdown throws, completing 18 of 26 passes for a total of 144 yards. The Lions’ running game was formidable, with Graham leading the way on eight carries, while Antonio Martin Jr. added 93 yards from 14 carries, contributing to a total of 278 rushing yards for the team.

On the other hand, CJ Rogers struggled in the passing department for the Huskies, completing only 4 of 12 passes for 75 yards. Darryle Evans emerged as the standout rusher for Houston Christian, amassing 128 yards on 20 carries.

The Lions’ victory not only marks an important step in asserting their dominance within the conference but also sets the stage for upcoming matchups as they continue their campaign.