RUSSELLVILLE, Ark.—Southern Nazarene was in search of back-to-back wins for the first time since 2018 but they ultimately came up just short in a 48-35 loss at Arkansas Tech on Saturday afternoon.

The Crimson Storm (1-4, 1-4 GAC) put up over 300 yards on the ground in the first half, but Arkansas Tech (2-3, 2-3 GAC) made some great defensive adjustments at halftime and limited the SNU ground attack the entire second half as the Storm finished with 372 rushing yards.

Turnovers proved to be one of the main difference makers in the game as two Southern Nazarene turnovers resulted in 10 points for Arkansas Tech. After throwing five interceptions last week, Arkansas Tech did not turn the ball over once on Saturday.

The teams traded scores in the first half and ultimately headed to the locker room tied at 28. For the first time this season, SNU found the scoreboard first as Gage Porter, the reigning GAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, picked up right where he left off. Facing a third-and-six, Porter burst up the middle for a 59 yard touchdown run on the opening drive. He finished the first half with 217 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. Unfortunately for SNU, he could not replicate that success in the second half as the Wonder Boys keyed on Porter and limited him to just two second half yards.

After Arkansas Tech took a 28-21 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the first half, SNU methodically marched 74 yards down the field and tied the game up just 20 seconds before halftime on Porter's third touchdown run of the first half.

Each team put together long drives to open the second half. Arkansas Tech went 63 yards on 12 plays over seven minutes, but were forced to settle for a field goal. SNU responded with an 8 play, 74 yard touchdown drive that gave the Storm a 35-31 lead. The drive was capped off by a 27 yard touchdown pass from Gage Porter to Aaron Fellows.

After a sensational fourth quarter last week, it was the opposite for Southern Nazarene on Saturday as Arkansas Tech outscored SNU 17-0 in the final quarter. Trailing by six points with 10 minutes on the clock, Southern Nazarene had an opportunity to regain the lead, but a wayward pitch was snagged out of the air by Arkansas Tech and taken all the way back for a touchdown that gave the Wonder Boys a massive 48-35 advantage that left the Crimson Storm too deep in the hole to recover.

As a team, SNU finished with 372 rushing yards on 37 attempts. This marks the second consecutive week that SNU has rushed for over 350 yards, and the third straight week they have rushed for over 250 yards. It is the first time in the DII era that the Storm have rushed for over 200 yards in three straight games.

Defensively, Elijah Calhoun led the way with 10 tackles and one pass broken up.

Things will be even more difficult for Southern Nazarene next time out as they return home to host Harding. The Bisons rank 23rd in the nation and are coming off a 38-23 win over Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday. Kickoff is set for Friday, October 8th at 2:00 p.m. at the SNU Football Stadium.