STATE UNIVERSITY, Ark. – A second half rally by the host Red Wolves proved to be too much for DU as they Arkansas State came back to win 31-25 on Saturday afternoon. This was another important match up for the Panthers as Arkansas State was coming off a victory over previously top ranked Life University. The Panthers start the season 0-2 in conference play and are now 1-2 overall and look to bounce back next Friday against the University of Michigan on the DU Turf Field at 8 p.m.

The game started off slow for both teams as the first points came on the board 20 minutes into the first half. Rory Dill scored and JP Eloff converted putting the Panthers up 7-0. Eloff later hit a penalty conversion putting DU up 10-0. The half ended with Davenport up 10-7.

Both teams seemed to make the right adjustments in the second half as the scoring was prevalent. Davenport came out strong and scored 12 unanswered points. Travis Kamstra and JP Eloff scored and JP converted on one conversion giving the Panthers a 22-7.

Arkansas State answered back with a flurry of scoring as they scored 16 straight and take the lead 24-22 with 12 minutes to go.

The remaining 12 minutes proved to be exciting. With only five minutes remaining in the match, Davenport scored a penalty conversion putting them up 25-24. Arkansas State answered though, scoring last and ending the game with a 31-25 victory.

Coach Van Biljon explained after the game that both teams are known to have better second halves. He said, “ASU just follow their pattern and we went to sleep for about 15 minutes and then we let them back into the game.” The Red Wolves ended the game with a 23-3 scoring run.

Van Biljon also said, “ASU beat Life University last week and we learned our lesson that first week against Life of what it takes to play at this level. We've made great improvements from two weeks ago and we can only get better.”

The Panthers will return home to face Michigan in front of their home crowd next Friday at 8 p.m.

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