By: James Hill, Director of Athletics Communications
BETHANY - Despite weather in the 40s to go with lots of wind and rain, the Southern Nazarene football team took the field on Saturday afternoon and put on a show as they participated in their 2019 Spring Game at the SNU Football Field.
"We want to make memories," said Head Coach
Andy Lambert. "We've been talking to them for two or three days about trying to practice like a championship football program in that kind of weather and then the fun they can have with it and the memories they can mak."
SNU put together a one hour scrimmage that saw more situational components early on before breaking out into a one quarter live scrimmage with officials.
Though the crazy Oklahoma weather maybe benefited the defensive side of the ball a little bit, both sides came out and put together and gritty effort to the delight of the home crowd. SNU saw many of their returners make some big plays such as
Gage Porter, who had a touchdown run in the game, and
Ethan Spurlock, who crashed through and picked up a safety in the contest.
"Being intentional about being tough and having grit is something I think we did today," added Lambert.
And if you ask the players, the harsh weather didn't seem to bother them one bit.
"I loved the cold weather," said senior defensive back Joshua Jordan. "That's football time to me, that's a playoff atmosphere which is where we are trying to get to as a program."
"It's all a mindset, they came out as men and put their face in it. We went out and had a blast and I was really proud of our guys," added senior offensive lineman
Hunter Jones.
SNU has put together 13 practices including today and still has two more to go before closing Spring before Easter Break. As a whole, Coach Lambert is very pleased with what he has seen thus far from his squad as they prepare for a new season in 2019.
"While it seems like were young, and that's true in a sense, we have a lot of guys who have played a lot of football," said Lambert. "We've got this wonderful balance of experience and reps, but a lot of games left which is exciting part going into the offseason and the spring."
Jones, one of the seniors on this squad, has been through thick and thin with the Crimson Storm as has served as a leader among the group, especially the offensive line, all spring.
"I've really been trying to be there for the guys and answer questions when I can," said Jones. "I know what's going on, I know the concept, so I've really just tried to be a big brother and speak some energy into the guys."
SNU will look to build off a stout defense that led this squad one season ago and carry some of that confidence and momentum over to the offensive side.
"The goal is always perfection," said Jordan. "I know that's hard to reach, but that's where we want to be. We're almost there (as a defense), but we've got a couple steps to go."
With all the weather throughout the day, Coach Lambert was pleasantly surprised by the good sized crowd that came out. The fans and the team came together following the game for a reception in the field house.
"I was shocked at the number of people in the stands," said Lambert. "What a wonderful way to wrap up today with this reception."
SNU will finish up Spring with the final two practices this upcoming week and will look towards the new season in 2019 as they open the year on September 5th at home against Southern Arkansas.
