MAGNOLIA, Ark.—Southern Nazarene matched a DII program record with their fourth win of the season as Gage Porter's last second touchdown lifted the Crimson Storm to a 49-44 win over Southern Arkansas in Magnolia on Saturday afternoon.
Two explosive offenses combined for 93 points in the game, but the fireworks really went off in the fourth quarter as the teams combined for 38 points over the final 15 minutes of action. Southern Arkansas (4-6, 4-6 GAC) appeared to have the game won with a 19 yard touchdown pass that gave them a 44-43 lead with just one minute to play. The Crimson Storm (4-6, 4-6 GAC) were not to be denied one more touchdown, though, as they marched down the field and scored from three yards out with just seven seconds remaining on the clock.
Southern Arkansas amassed over 600 yards in the game, but it was not enough as they could never slow down Southern Nazarene's potent run game. For the third time this season, the Crimson Storm surpassed 400 yards on the ground. They did so with nearly three 100-yard rushers as Gage Porter ran for 149, Angel Ramirez ran for 110, and Aaron Fellows was just one yard short of the 100 yard marker with 99. They all three found the endzone on the ground. Porter made his way to pay dirt four times, including the game-winning touchdown with just seconds remaining.
Southern Nazarene opened up a 21-10 lead in the first half, but it was Southern Arkansas who took a lead into the halftime break. After great kickoff coverage left the Muleriders at their own two yard line, Southern Arkansas responded with an 89 yard touchdown pass to cut into SNU's lead. A missed field goal from the Crimson Storm then allowed Southern Arkansas to march down field and take their first lead of the game at 24-21. That lead had an opportunity to grow after SAU forced a three-and-out, but the Crimson Storm defense came up with a huge stop at the one yard line in the final play of the first half to keep the Muleriders out of the endzone.
The scoring slowed a bit in the third quarter. Southern Arkansas tacked on a field goal to extend their lead to 27-21. Following the field goal, it only took SNU two plays to recapture the lead as Angel Ramirez broke off a 56 yard run that gave the Crimson Storm a slim 28-27 lead.
The scoring stalled the remainder of the third quarter, but exploded in the fourth. The Storm took advantage of a short field on their first possession of the quarter and scored another touchdown to build a 35-27 lead. Just one play later, the Muleriders responded with a 74 yard touchdown run, but a delay of game penalty would cause SAU to have to settle for an extra point, rather than attempting a game-tying two-point conversion.
Things could have unraveled a bit for SNU as they went three-and-out the following possession, but a bomb off the foot of Ryan Reid traveled 70 yards and was downed as the Mulerider 1 yard line. That 70 yard punt was the longest of Reid's fantastic career as the SNU punter.
Despite the long field, the Muleriders were able to make their way into the redzone and eventually settle for a go-ahead field goal that gave them a 37-35 lead. That lead did not last long as the offensive fireworks continued. On the first play of the next possession, Aaron Fellows broke off a 61 yard touchdown run. It turned into an 8 point possession as Gage Porter burrowed his way into the endzone for the two-point conversion.
Trailing 43-37 with under four minutes to play, Southern Arkansas's offense stayed calm. They overcame a fourth-and-one at their own 36 and marched down field for yet another go-ahead touchdown. They connected on a 19-yard touchdown strike that pushed the score to 44-43 with exactly one minute to play.
One minute was just enough time for SNU's offense, though. Despite having an offense predicated on the running game, the Crimson Storm showed no panic and ran the hurry-up offense to perfection. They were helped by runs of 9, 12, 15, 12, and 11 yards to set them up with a first-and-goal from the Mulerider three yard line and just 13 seconds left. Porter then took the snap and pounded his way up the middle. He barrelled his way into the endzone, scoring the game-winning touchdown with just 7 seconds left on the clock.
Southern Arkansas was left with one last play. They attempted a hook-and-ladder and made their way down to the SNU 30 yard line, but Josh Johnson and Elijah Calhoun were waiting there and made the tackle to officially seal the win for SNU.
With Gage Porter's four touchdowns, he now needs the entire NCAA, regardless of division, in rushing touchdowns with 25. He is also second in the entire NCAA in rushing yards with 1,587 for the season.
The win marks SNU's first ever win over Southern Arkansas in football. They now have a chance to set a program high in DII wins in their final game next week. The Storm will travel to Shawnee to take on rival Oklahoma Baptist. Historically, the Crimson Storm are 2-4 against OBU, but each of the Bison wins have come in the last four matchups. OBU currently sits at the bottom of the GAC at 1-9. Kickoff is set for next Saturday, November 12 at 6:00 p.m.
