BETHANY, Okla. — Riding on one of best starts to a season in the Division II era, Southern Nazarene continued to source success after taking care of business in Bethany for the first time this season, knocking off Southwestern Oklahoma State, 41-7.
The Storm (3-1, 3-1 GAC) dominated both sides of the ball against the Bulldogs (0-4, 0-4 GAC), putting up over 400 yards of total offense with 275 on the ground and 181 in the air. Between quarterbacks Gage Porter and Jarvis Davis, they both combined for 12-24 completions per attacks, making it an efficient day of passing for the Storm. The Storm defense made it a difficult four quarters for the Bulldogs, averaging only 2.9 yards per carry and recording just 161 yards in the game. The trio of Jake Wright, David Omosigho, and Carter Brock caused a frenzy on defense, combining for a total of 18 tackles.
The SWOSU defense cut SNU's opening drive short as the Storm were only able to deliver five plays for a slim 12 yards. The Bulldogs were able to answer in their opening possession, piecing together 10 plays for 70 yards that resulted in a 14-yard rushing touchdown, earning the first score of the game.
With just under eight minutes remaining int the first quarter, SNU went to work, getting first down after first down with just under eight minutes left on the clock. Porter excited the crowd on 3rd down with a 29 yard completion to Asa Robertson for another first down. An incomplete pass and a two-yard run was all SNU could squeeze in before quarter one was up and SWOSU held the 7-0 lead.
SNU continued their drive to start quarter two and Porter awakened the rush game, rushing for 14 yards and then four where he found the end zone for SNU's first touchdown of the afternoon. Tied at 7-7, SNU made a big stop on the Bulldogs' next possession, only allowing them five plays for just 11 yards. The Storm looked to make some gains on the offensive end, but Porter's launch to Donovaughn Hill for the touchdown was called back for holding and SNU was forced to punt.
Another failed drive by the Bulldogs allowed more room for Storm, and they took full advantage, starting with Donald May's 34 yard run from the SWOSU 41 for a first down. May was off to the races once more and found an opening for another SNU score, taking the 14-7 lead over the Southwestern with just under four minutes left in the half. Neither team could make anything happen with the time remaining and the teams headed to the locker rooms with SNU ahead by a touchdown at 14-7.
The Bulldogs strung together a solid drive to start the third quarter, but an incomplete pass on 3rd and nine turned the ball back over to the Storm. SNU was halted in their next possession, gaining just six total yards that put them at 4th and two on the SWOSU 40. The Storm defense came up big in the next possession as Josh Johnson denied Calvin Cloud's pass in the end zone, keeping SWOSU behind by touchdown with just under eight minutes remaining in quarter three.
Both squads exchanged short possessions, each resulting on three-and-outs. With 5:49 left to go in the third quarter, the SNU offense caught fire, pulling out six plays for 40 yards that was capped by Porter sneaking through the middle for a four yard touchdown. Porter's touchdown was the last of the scoring for the quarter and SNU controlled a 21-7 lead with one final 15 minutes left to play.
The Storm offense continued to make SWOSU pay, opening up the final quarter with another march down the field composed of 10 plays for 66 total yards. The solid drive by SNU resulted in Porter finding another hole in the Bulldog defense for a 12-yard touchdown run, rocketing their lead to 28-7 with 12 minutes left on the clock. SNU continued to put up a wall on the defensive end, forcing another SWOSU three-and-out to get the ball back on their own 31 yard line.
SNU went work once more, finding gaps between the blue and white to finish a-10 play, 69-yard drive with a 23 yard touchdown run from Braxton Burd, putting SNU ahead 35-7 with six minutes remaining in the game. The scoring did not end there as SNU used another failed Bulldog drive as another touchdown opportunity, working well with three minutes remaining as Jarvis Davis connected with Tre Dedmon for the four-yard score. The clock eventually bled out and SNU walked away with the whopping 41-7 win in Bethany.
This marks SNU's third consecutive win of the 2023 season which has never been achieved in the Division II era. This is also the second consecutive week SNU has been an above .500 team. The Storm look to continue their win streak as they are set to host Southern Arkansas Saturday, September 30th at 2 p.m. SNU defeated the Muleriders last season 49-44, recording their first ever win over SAU in D-II history.
