RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The Southern Nazarene football team held a 10-0 lead at the break and went into the final quarter ahead 10-7; however, a 17-point rally by Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys propelled them to a 24-10 win over the Storm on a rainy Saturday evening at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field.

The SNU offense struggled to get things moving on the night as they finished with 107 total yards including 62 on the ground. The Storm defense put together a terrific performance, coming away with three takeaways in the contest.

The Wonder Boys started the game with possession and went 60 yards down the field in 14 plays, but the Storm made their first big stand as they forced a turnover on downs thanks to back-to-back incomplete passes.

After a SNU three-and-out, sophomore punter Ryan Reid boomed a 59 yard punt that was downed at the 6-yard line. Two plays later, the Storm defense came away with another big play in the game as junior Anthony Stephens II forced a Bryan Allen fumble and sophomore Angel Hernandez jumped on the loose ball for the first turnover of the night.

The Crimson Storm cashed in three plays later as sophomore Gage Porter ran it in from a yard out for the early 7-0 lead.

Both teams exchanged lengthy possessions before SNU got the ball back early in the second quarter. The Crimson Storm proceeded to march 48 yards down the field in nine plays, including a 13 yard completion from senior Jacob Spady to senior Reese Carlson to set the Storm up in the red zone. As the drive stalled, senior Carlos Anguiano made it a 10-0 game with a 30 yard field goal.

From there, the SNU defense controlled the game and pitched a first half shutout, holding the Wonder Boys under 150 yards of offense as the Crimson Storm took a 10-0 lead into the break.

Arkansas Tech took their first drive of the second half and marched 50 yards down the field in 10 plays. With 3rd and goal at the SNU 4, Tanner Gaines pass was deflected and intercepted by freshman Trenton Smith in the back of the endzone to keep the lead at 10-0.

After trading possession, the Wonder Boys finally broke through towards the end of the third quarter thanks to a turnover on downs by the Storm. ATU went 58 yards in six plays as Gaines ran it in from two yards out to cut the deficit to 10-7.

In the fourth quarter, a turnover by SNU gave Arkansas Tech great field position at the Storm 22. Two plays later, the Wonder Boys took their first lead of the game on a six yard run from Allen.

From there, SNU tried to get in position to retake the lead, but another turnover as well as a turnover on downs negated any comeback. Arkansas Tech made the Storm pay late in the game with another touchdown and field goal to close with the 24-10 home win.

With the wet field conditions, both Spady and Porter struggled in the passing game, combining for two completions. Spady ran 11 times for 28 yards while senior Daniel Ramos III rushed 10 times for 23 yards. Carlson led the receiving core with two catches for 45 yards.

Allen led Arkansas Tech with 33 carries for 175 yards and a score while Gaines had eight carries for 26 yards and two scores. Carter Burcham was 10 of 19 for 137 yards passing.

Defensively for SNU, seniors Daniel Flynn and Marin Biletic each had nine tackles with Biletic adding 1.5 tackles for loss. Junior Josh Jordan, sophomore Jakel Davis, and Hernandez all had seven tackles while Smith had six tackles and the interception.

KJ Reid led Arkansas Tech with 13 tackles while Cua' Rose added 11.

With the loss, Southern Nazarene goes to 1-3 on the season and in the GAC while Arkansas Tech moves to 2-2.

SNU will return home next Saturday as they welcome in Henderson State for a GAC match-up at SNU Football Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 PM start time.