BETHANY, Okla. — Southern Nazarene needed extra football Saturday afternoon in Bethany, outlasting Arkansas-Monticello 40-34 in overtime to earn its first overtime win since 2018.
The Crimson Storm (1-4, 1-4 GAC) picked up its first win of the season in front of a home crowd, rallying past the Weevils (1-4, 1-4 GAC) in a back-and-forth battle.
Arkansas-Monticello struck first. Dave Alston capped a five-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run at 11:34 of the first quarter, with Charles Stinson adding the extra point to make it 7-0.
SNU answered. Maddox Olatunde finished a 39-yard march with a 4-yard touchdown run at 6:14, with Brett Leonardt's kick tying it at 7-7.
UAM went back in front late in the first. Drew Forkner hit Michael Lott on a 28-yard touchdown pass with 12 seconds left in the quarter to make it 14-7.
The teams traded scores in the second quarter. Olatunde tied it once again at 14-14 with a 7-yard run at 11:09 to cap a 75-yard drive. Isaiah Roberts answered for UAM with a 32-yard touchdown catch from Forkner at 6:48 to make it 21-14, but Olatunde scored again on a 1-yard run to tie it at 21-21.
UAM took a late lead before halftime. RJ Hairston caught a 24-yard pass from Forkner with 42 seconds left to make it 27-21 after a failed kick. SNU cut into the deficit as time expired when Leonardt drilled a 50-yard field goal with no time left to make it 27-24.
SNU took its first lead in the third. Leonardt hit a 32-yard field goal to tie it at 27-27, and Olatunde broke loose for his fourth touchdown of the day on a 4-yard run with 1:11 left in the quarter to cap a 7-play, 77-yard drive and put the Storm in front 34-27.
UAM forced overtime in the fourth quarter. Braylon Henry scored on a 1-yard run to tie it again at 34-34, forcing extra football.
In overtime, SNU closed it out on one play. Kaden Manuel broke a 25-yard touchdown run to seal the 40-34 victory.
Olatunde led the Storm ground game with 167 yards and four touchdowns, while Jaxon Worley added 74 yards and Jaylen Chelf chipped in 33 yards.
Next Up
The Crimson Storm will travel to take on Ouachita Baptist on October 10 at 12:00 pm in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
