ALVA, Okla. - Facing a 20-7 deficit to start the fourth and a 27-13 deficit midway through the fourth, SNU stormed back and scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter to force overtime before a Carlos Anguiano field goal in double OT gave SNU a thrilling 37-34 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon at Ranger Field. 

SNU hit a season-high in total offense with 435 yards including 150 on the ground and 285 through the air. Northwestern was good on offense as well, going for 541 yards including 313 through the air and 228 on the ground. SNU forced four Ranger turnovers despite turning it over four times themselves.

Northwestern started the game with the ball and proceeded to march down the field, going on a 13-play, 72-yard drive while eating up nearly six minutes of clock. NWOSU got all the way down to the one, but the Crimson Storm defense held tough and held the Rangers to a 20-yard field goal from Zave Goodrich and a 3-0 deficit.  

The SNU offense got rolling as the combination and Gage Porter and Nate Walker moved the Crimson Storm into Ranger territory. Finally, on the eighth play of the drive Porter connected with Walker for a 35-yard score, giving SNU a 7-3 advantage on an impressive drive.

After a pair of punts, one of the more wild plays of the game took place as Cesar De Leon's pass was intercepted by Josh Jordan and returned deep into Ranger territory before he fumbled and De Leon pounced on the loose ball to give the Rangers the ball back. 

Northwestern used some big pass plays to move into SNU territory and set up for a 31-yard field goal, but a personal foul kept the drive alive despite the missed kick. NWOSU had it inside the 10, but again SNU rose to the occasion and forced a 24 yard field goal, that was good this time from Goodrich, to make it 7-6.

SNU's next drive would only take one play as a fumble gave it right back to Northwestern who would get a 21 yard touchdown pass from De Leon to Justin Cain to take the lead back at 13-7. The Crimson Storm would fumble the ball away for the third time on their very next drive and NWOSU took advantage again with a three yard score from Cailon Baker to move ahead 20-7.

Both sides threatened for more points, but neither had anything to show for as Northwestern took a 20-7 lead into the break.

On the first drive of the third quarter, SNU worked it down deep into NWOSU territory, but another fumble by the Crimson Storm offense left them empty handed. Northwestern would get their one and only possession of the third and punt away before Southern Nazarene went on a 12-play, 93-yard drive that went into the fourth quarter and resulted in a Porter run for six from a yard out. Anguiano's kick was blocked to keep it a 7 point game at 20-13.

Northwestern got it down inside the SNU five, but Angel Hernandez came away with a huge forced fumble that was recovered by Doryan Harris and SNU was back in business. However, the Crimson Storm went three-and-out before NWOSU answered on the first play of their new drive with De Leon 31 yard touchdown pass to Horatio Smith to go back on top 27-13, as it seemed like too high a hill to climb for SNU.

The Crimson Storm only needed two plays to get it back to a one possession game as Porter found Reid Roelofs for a big gain followd by a 29 yard strike to Vance Hooper for six. Anguiano's kick was blocked again and SNU suddenly faced an eight point deficit. 

Northwestern tried to remain aggressive with under eight to play in the game, but De Leon's pass was picked off by Harris and the SNU 37. The SNU offense went on and eight play, 63 yard drive as Porter capped it by finding Walker again for his second score to make it 27-25. A little trickery on the two-point try had Walker finding Hooper for the two-point conversion to even things up at 27. Neither team could score in the final three minutes as the game moved to overtime.

SNU started first as a Porter to Hooper hook up set up a Porter touchdown run from six yards out to give SNU a 34-27 lead. Northwestern responded with a De Leon touchdown pass to Raphael Edwards on third down to force double OT.

With the ball first and facing a 2nd and 1, De Leon took a shot in the endzone and Harris came away with a huge play, intercepting the ball in the endzone and setting SNU up with a chance to finish the game off. 

Porter took three runs to the NWOSU 16, setting up Anguiano with a 26 yard field goal from the left hash. Anguiano, who had two PATs blocked earlier, did not blink under the pressure as he sent the kick through the uprights and sent the SNU bench into a frenzy, giving the Crimson Storm a gutsy win.

SNU got plenty of terrific performances beginning with Porter, who went 15 of 21 for 285 yards as 27 rushes for 82 yards for five total touchdowns. Daniel Ramos added 11 carries for 56 yards on the ground. Walker had five catches for 123 yards and two scores while Reid Roelofs had three catches for 59 yards. Hooper caught two for 45 yards and a score while Devan Brady had three catches for 44 yards.

De Leon was 21 of 39 for 313 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions while Tyson Gatewood rushed 15 times for 113 yards. Baker added 17 rushes for 97 yards. Smith led the receiving core with six catches for 114 yards and a score.

Defensively, Harris finished with six tackles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery, and a pass break up. Myles Roll and Davis each had nine tackles while Dylan Meador and Hernandez added seven each. Daniel Flynn had six tackles and a sack while Davis had an impressive five break ups. 

Northwestern was led by Dakota Driskill with 13 tackles while Kyler Ferguson had 10 tackles, two TFL, and a forced fumble.

For SNU, it is their first ever official win in Alva in seven tries and the first times they've beaten the Rangers in back-to-back seasons. SNU did have a forfeit win over Northwestern in Alva in 2006, but it was initially a loss. It is SNU's first overtime game since November 14, 2015 in their infamous Senior Day win over Oklahoma Baptist.

The Crimson Storm move to 2-7 overall and in the GAC and they will now prepare for Homecoming as they finally return home after three long weeks away. SNU will look to keep the momentum going late in the season as they welcome in Southwestern Oklahoma State in their home finale. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM at SNU Football Field.