ADA, Okla. - The Southern Nazarene University football team hit the road on Saturday for a Great American Conference matchup with the Tigers of East Central University. SNU (0-3, 0-3 GAC) posted a season-high in passing yards, but the Crimson Storm were unable to slow down the rushing attack of ECU (1-2, 1-2 GAC), as the Tigers ran for 361 yards and took the 45-7 win.
The Storm got the ball first, and despite SNU going 3-and-out on their first possession, the SNU defense forced a turnover to get the ball back for their offense with 10:15 to play in the opening frame. Unfortunately for the Crimson Storm, SNU returned the fumble after seven plays on the ensuing drive, and ECU cashed it in for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead with 4:09 left in the first quarter. The Crimson Storm took their next possession 42 yards in seven plays down to the ECU 33 yard line, but a missed field goal gave the ball back to the Tigers, who methodically drove down for another touchdown to open a two score lead.
ECU added touchdowns on their last drive of the first half, and their first drive of the second half to take a 28-0 lead, and a Tigers' field goal midway through the third period stretched the ECU lead to 31-0.
SNU got on the board with 4:36 to go in the third quarter when
Gage Porter took the ball on fourth down and four. Porter rambled 11 yards for the touchdown - his first score on the ground of the season - and a conversion from
Ryan Reid made the score 31-7. ECU, however, was able to add two more touchdowns late in the game to take the 45-7 win.
Porter was 9-for-17 through the air for a season-high 126 yards and an interception. He also gained 63 yards on the ground to lead SNU, and
Nate Walker led the Storm with 51 yards receiving. Reid had six punts in the game, including a 67-yard boot in the second quarter.
Josh Jordan had 11 tackles including six solo stops in the game to lead the SNU defense.
SNU will return home on Saturday, September 28, to take on the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Savage Storm (1-2, 1-2 GAC) at the SNU Football Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
