BETHANY, Okla. — Southern Nazarene recorded a season-high 447 yards and notched its first 300-yard rushing game since 2012 in a 44-37 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State Saturday.
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The last time the Crimson Storm (4-5, 4-5 GAC) posted a 300-yard game on the ground came against the Rangers (3-6, 3-6 GAC) five years ago. SNU rushed for a season-high 359 yards and that was just 34 yards short of a school record. It was also the most since 2011. It is the most rushing yards in a game since SNU joined Division II.
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The Storm had never defeated Northwestern on the field as the only win in the previous 13 meetings with the Rangers came in 2006 with a forfeit. Just mark another one up for the Crimson Storm who also recorded their first home win of the year.
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Jacob Spady had a career-high 141 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 20 carries. It is a school-record for most rushing yards by a quarterback.
Nate Walker added 133 yards and two touchdowns as well on 14 carries. Spady also threw for 88 yards and one touchdown as he was 5-for-11.
Angel Hernandez and
Trystan Slinker each had eight tackles as
Zack Loyd and
Breyon Jackson each had a sack. Jackson also had an interception as well.
Doryan Harris notched the other interception for SNU and broke up three passes as well.
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The Storm scored on their first drive of the game when Spady hit
Devan Brady on a second down screen play that went 38 yards. The drive took just six plays and went 54 yards as SNU took a 7-0 lead.
Carlos Anguiano made it 10-0 with 8:37 left in the first when he drilled a 27-yard field goal.
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The Rangers got on the board on the ensuing drive to cut it to 10-7 with 7:18 left in the first, but the Storm answered right back on their next drive. SNU marched 58 yards on five plays with the final 38 yards coming on a Walker run down the Northwestern sideline to put SNU up 17-7 with 4:35 left in the half.
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The Storm tacked on another score right before the half when Spady capped a 6-play, 70-yard drive with an eight-yard run to give SNU a 23-7 lead at the half.
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SNU didn't waste much time in the second half as it scored on its first drive with a 63-yard push. On the fourth play of the drive, Spady found a hole on the left side and bolted down the Northwestern sideline for a 63-yard run to give the Storm a 30-7 lead.
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Northwestern answered on the ensuing drive to cut it to 30-14, but SNU responded on it's next drive when Walker scored his second touchdown of the night. His 22-yard run gave SNU a 37-14 lead with 5:08 left in the third.
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The Rangers started making a run late in the third and it continued into the fourth. Northwestern closed the gap to 37-21 with 1:39 left in the third and 37-29 early in the fourth. After an SNU fumble on the next drive, the Rangers took advantage and tied it with 12:34 to play.
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Jakel Davis had the answer though on the kickoff as he took the return back to the house 93 yards to give SNU a 44-37 lead and SNU sat on the lead from there.
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