BETHANY, Okla. — Southern Nazarene came up just short in a hard-fought battle on Saturday afternoon, falling 27-21 to Southeastern Oklahoma State inside SNU Football Stadium.

The Crimson Storm (1-3, 1-3 GAC) traded punches all afternoon with the Savage Storm (2-2, 2-2 GAC), keeping the game within reach until the final whistle.

After Southeastern struck first with an 11-yard touchdown run late in the opening quarter, SNU quickly responded. Quarterback Bryson Evans capped a three-play, 66-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to even the score at 7-7. Minutes later, Dezmond Williams provided the highlight of the day when he scooped up a blocked field goal and raced 66 yards to the end zone, giving Southern Nazarene a 14-7 lead.

Southeastern answered with two touchdowns in the final minutes of the half, including a 13-yard strike with just over a minute remaining, followed by a quick three-yard score 42 seconds later to take a 20-14 lead into the break. 

The Savage Storm extended their advantage to 27-14 early in the third quarter on a 15-yard run, but SNU refused to go away. Evans found the end zone again in the fourth, powering in from 11 yards out to pull the Crimson Storm within six.  Despite the late push a costly interception from the Crimson Storm slashed their chances at a comeback attempt as they fell short to Southeastern, 27-21.

Next Up

The Storm will hit the road to take on Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday, October 4 at 2:00 pm in Monticello.