BURNABY, B.C. -- The Simon Fraser Red Leafs football team put in a fantastic effort Saturday in Odessa, Texas, overcoming a 21-2 first-half deficit to send its Lone Star Conference contest into overtime before falling 31-24 to the Texas Permian Basin Falcons (3-3, 2-2 LSC).

Junior quarterback Justin Seiber and senior receiver Ethan Beselt had career-best days to lead the SFU (0-4, 0-4 LSC) offence at Ratliff Stadium.

Seiber completed 23 of 39 passes for 394 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. His 394 yards is the most he's had in a game for SFU, sixth-most in the Red Leafs' NCAA era, and eighth-best in the school's history. Seiber's three TD passes tied a career high.

Beselt caught eight throws from Seiber for a personal-best 223 yards and a TD. His 223 yards is fourth on SFU's all-time list for receiving yards in a single game, and third in contests played under American rules. Robert Meadors made a half-dozen receptions for 95 yards.

The Red Leafs had a number of stars on defence. Linebacker Drew Nicholson had seven solo tackles, three assisted tackles, and two tackles for loss. Defensive back Gideone Kremler recorded five solo tackles, a half-dozen assisted ones, and one for a loss. Linebacker Isaac Muckian recorded seven solo tackles, one assisted, and one for loss.
 

SFU had two sacks in the game. One went to Dayton Ingenhaag, who also had five solo tackles and two assisted ones. Two of the linebacker's tackles went for a loss. Defensive lineman Tank Brewster had the other sack, which came in the second quarter in the UTPB end zone for a safety, the first points of the game for the Red Leafs. Defensive back Ryan Barthelson had SFU's lone interception, the first of his NCAA career.

Sam Davenport had an excellent punting performance, averaging 47.6 yards on five kicks, three of which were inside the 20-yard line. He also had four catches for 45 yards.

UTPB's Kory Harris rushed for a 1-yard touchdown in overtime, and its defence kept the Red Leafs off the scoreboard on the ensuing possession to clinch the victory.

Down 21-2, SFU's comeback began in the latter stages of the second quarter. After a Seiber-Beselt connection went for 33 yards, Seiber made a 12-yard TD throw to Meadors, who made the catch at the back of the end zone despite pass interference. A Kristie Elliott conversion cut the Red Leafs' deficit to 21-9.

On the next drive, the Falcons reached the SFU 21-yard line with 13 seconds left in the half. But the Red Leafs' defence came up big, as Barthelson made a spectacular diving interception of a Dylan Graham pass at the 1 to keep his team's deficit at 12 points going into halftime. Graham went 28-of-40 passing for 301 yards, a pair of touchdowns, and an interception. 
 

On SFU's second drive of the third quarter, Seiber threw a 39-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to Beselt to close the gap to 21-16 after a successful conversion. Despite getting hit by a defender, Seiber hurled the ball deep towards the far sideline. Beselt caught the ball at the UTPB 11-yard line, and dragged two defenders into the end zone with help from fellow receiver Aidan Pearce.

The Falcons opened the final quarter with the ball, and moved it to the SFU 2, but the Red Leafs' defence made more critical plays. It held the next UTPB rush to no gain, gave up a yard on the play after that before Ingenhaag sacked Suddin Sapien for a two-yard loss. Permian Basin was forced to a 20-yard field-goal attempt, which it converted to lead 24-16.

SFU made another stop on defence to give its offence the ball back with 5:34 left in regulation. On the first play of the drive, Seiber threw a play-action pass deep to Beselt, who was behind the coverage. He caught the ball and made it to the UTPB 25 for a 51-yard gain before being tackled. Seiber completed the drive by finding Davenport in the back left corner of the end zone with 3:13 remaining. On the two-point convert attempt, Meadors made a diving catch five yards deep on the right side to tie the game at 24-24.

The Red Leafs' defence was excellent in sparking the comeback, forcing five punts and surrendering just a field goal in the third and fourth quarters.

UTPB gained 462 yards compared to 417 by SFU, which held the time of possession edge, 33:53-26:07.

MJ Link posted 141 yards on eight receptions for the Falcons, while Gunnar Abseck recorded 104 yards on seven catches. They each hauled in a touchdown. Running back Antonio Malone racked up 110 yards on 21 carries.

SFU is back on the road next weekend, as the team will face Eastern New Mexico in Portales next Saturday at 5 p.m. PT.
 
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