Running Through the Rangers

BETHANY, Okla. — Southern Nazarene recorded a season-high 447 yards and notched its first 300-yard rushing game since 2012 in a 44-37 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State Saturday.

The last time the Crimson Storm (4-5, 4-5 GAC) posted a 300-yard game on the ground came against the Rangers (3-6, 3-6 GAC) five years ago. SNU rushed for a season-high 359 yards and that was just 34 yards short of a school record. It was also the most since 2011. It is the most rushing yards in a game since SNU joined Division II.

The Storm had never defeated Northwestern on the field as the only win in the previous 13 meetings with the Rangers came in 2006 with a forfeit. Just mark another one up for the Crimson Storm who also recorded their first home win of the year.

Jacob Spady had a career-high 141 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 20 carries. It is a school-record for most rushing yards by a quarterback. Nate Walker added 133 yards and two touchdowns as well on 14 carries. Spady also threw for 88 yards and one touchdown as he was 5-for-11. Angel Hernandez and Trystan Slinker each had eight tackles as Zack Loyd and Breyon Jackson each had a sack. Jackson also had an interception as well. Doryan Harris notched the other interception for SNU and broke up three passes as well.

The Storm scored on their first drive of the game when Spady hit Devan Brady on a second down screen play that went 38 yards. The drive took just six plays and went 54 yards as SNU took a 7-0 lead. Carlos Anguiano made it 10-0 with 8:37 left in the first when he drilled a 27-yard field goal.

The Rangers got on the board on the ensuing drive to cut it to 10-7 with 7:18 left in the first, but the Storm answered right back on their next drive. SNU marched 58 yards on five plays with the final 38 yards coming on a Walker run down the Northwestern sideline to put SNU up 17-7 with 4:35 left in the half.

The Storm tacked on another score right before the half when Spady capped a 6-play, 70-yard drive with an eight-yard run to give SNU a 23-7 lead at the half.

SNU didn't waste much time in the second half as it scored on its first drive with a 63-yard push. On the fourth play of the drive, Spady found a hole on the left side and bolted down the Northwestern sideline for a 63-yard run to give the Storm a 30-7 lead.

Northwestern answered on the ensuing drive to cut it to 30-14, but SNU responded on it's next drive when Walker scored his second touchdown of the night. His 22-yard run gave SNU a 37-14 lead with 5:08 left in the third.

The Rangers started making a run late in the third and it continued into the fourth. Northwestern closed the gap to 37-21 with 1:39 left in the third and 37-29 early in the fourth. After an SNU fumble on the next drive, the Rangers took advantage and tied it with 12:34 to play.

Jakel Davis had the answer though on the kickoff as he took the return back to the house 93 yards to give SNU a 44-37 lead and SNU sat on the lead from there.