BETHANY, Okla.—A battle of the Storms went the way of Southeastern Oklahoma State as the Savage Storm rolled into Bethany and took a 31-10 win over Southern Nazarene on Saturday afternoon.
It was a feisty game from the start as emotions flared from the opening kickoff. The teams combined for 8 personal foul penalties in the game.
The game would seem to play out much closer than the final score indicated, but big plays and those untimely penalties would come back to haunt the Storm. Southern Nazarene (0-4, 0-4 GAC) outgained Southeastern Oklahoma State (4-0, 4-0 GAC) 393 to 257 and had success moving the ball most of the game, but again struggled to finish off their drives as the Crimson Storm converted just 2-of-12 third down chances.
Southeastern jumped in front midway through the first quarter after a pair of Southern Nazarene penalties put the ball on the SNU 25 yard line. The Savage Storm would take advantage of those penalties, breaking off a 25 yard touchdown run to get the scoring started.
The following possession, Christian Shelmire broke off his own long run, a 34 yarder that would put the Crimson Storm in scoring position. That run would be one of three SNU carries that went for at least 30 yards. They tallied 216 total on the ground. Unfortunately for the Crimson Storm, they were unable to do anything with Shelmire's run as the possession ended with a missed field goal.
Southeastern added a field goal to their lead early in the second quarter. Southern Nazarene would be in position to respond, but disaster struck when the Crimson Storm fumbled and Southeastern scooped it up, returning the fumble 81 yards down to the SNU 4 yard line. The Savage Storm punched it in three plays later, extending their lead to three scores.
The Crimson Storm tallied a field goal the following possession, but Southeastern marched down the field, connecting on a 16 yard touchdown pass with just 12 seconds remaining in the first half, growing their lead to 24-3 heading into the locker room.
Southern Nazarene notched their first touchdown of the season at the SNU Football Stadium in the third quarter as Jarvis Davis found Jaren Alvarado for a 32 yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-nine.
Jarvis Davis finished the day with 177 yards through the air. He would also add a team-high 98 yards on the ground.
Josh Johnson led the defense with 6 tackles and a pair of pass breakups.
The Crimson Storm are back at home next week, looking to grab that first win of the season. They will take on Arkansas Tech who sits at 0-3 coming into their Saturday night game with Arkansas-Monticello. Southern Nazarene notched their biggest Divison II win in the last matchup between these teams, defeating Arkansas Tech 41-24 in the 2019 meeting. Kickoff is set for next Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
