BETHANY – Southern Nazarene was held to just 25 total yards in the second half as their upset bid against No. 5 ranked Ouachita Baptist fell short 27-13.
 
The weather was the real winner on Thursday evening as temperatures plummeted to the low-40s with rain and high winds holding both teams to a combined 64 passing yards in the game. The Crimson Storm (2-6, 2-6 GAC) tallied 98 rushing yards in the contest to go along with 37 in the passing game in brutal conditions in Bethany. The high-powered Tigers (8-0, 8-0 GAC) finished with 278 yards on the ground and 27 in the passing game as SNU has now held their opponent to under 100 yards passing for the fourth straight game.
 
After jumping out to a quick 13-0 lead, Southern Nazarene surrendered 27 unanswered points and couldn't get anything going in the second half. Nate Walker led the way on the ground for the Crimson Storm with 47 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries. Quarterback Gage Porter carried the ball 19 times and finished with 36 yards to go along with 37 passing yards on 4-of-13 tries.
 
On the defensive side, Jake Hanson led the way with a season-high 12 tackles, while Josh Jordan recorded 10 tackles for SNU. Dylan Bauer had two tackles for loss and finished the contest with nine tackles, while Trenton Smith tallied six. James Love also recorded a tackle and recovered a fumble for SNU, which surprisingly was the only turnover recorded in the game from both sides.
 
After Southern Nazarene won the coin toss and elected to defend the strong North wind, you could see right out of the gate the weather was going to be a factor. Ouachita's Allie Freeman caught the opening kick at the five-yard line, took one step and slipped and was downed at the Tiger six-yard line. SNU nearly forced a safety in the first few plays and forced the Tigers to punt on three plays. After just a 32-yard punt, SNU went 33 yards in three plays as Walker scampered to the endzone to give the Storm an early 7-0 lead.
 
The Storm defense gritted its teeth and held the Tigers to just 43 yards in the first quarter and took their lead into the second period. SNU added on to their lead when they converted an 11-play, 61-yard drive by a two-yard touchdown run from Walker. After a PAT that was blocked SNU took a 13-0 lead, and that would be the last time the Storm would find the endzone.
 
No. 5 ranked Ouachita finally broke through with 1:19 left in the first half and scored on a 24-yard touchdown run to cut the Storm lead to 13-7 heading into halftime. SNU's defense held OBU to just 119 yards in the opening half, but the undefeated Tigers had enough of it in the final 30 minutes.
 
Ouachita came out in the second half and rushed for 186 yards on the ground as they tied the game at 13-13 with 11:29 left in the third. The Tigers added another scored late in the third quarter to take their first lead of the night 20-13 heading into the fourth after holding SNU to -3 total yards in the period.
 
The Tiger defense was just as dominant in the fourth quarter, as Southern Nazarene totaled just 28 total yards in the final frame. Ouachita added one more score to put the game out of reach with 1:28 left in the game as the Tigers cruised to their 24^th consecutive GAC win.
 
Southern Nazarene will be back in action next Saturday at 2:00 pm on the road against Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford.