(ALVA, Okla.)---The 11th week's report for the Central States Football League has been released. The report ranks the team and individual players in each category, plus has the Players of the Week selections and current CSFL standings.

The Crimson Storm finished out the 2009 season on Saturday with a 30-18 victory over Texas College in Tyler, Texas.  SNU closes out the season with a 6-5 record and 3-2 mark in CSFL play.

CSFL Report #11

(BETHANY, Okla.)---Southern Nazarene University senior kicker, Ryan Brock, earned CSFL Special Teams Player of the Week honors it was announced on Tuesday.  Brock, from Bethany, Oklahoma, hit three field goals and had three PAT's, scoring 12 points for the Crimson Storm in SNU's 30-18 win over Texas College.

Brock had a long field goal of 42 yards and averaged 57  yards on five kick-offs. 

SNU finished out the 2009 season on Saturday with the win at Texas College.  The Crimson Storm finished the season with a 6-5 record and a 3-2 mark in CSFL play.

 

(TYLER, Texas)---The Crimson Storm football team closed out the 2009 season with a 30-18 Central States Football League victory over Texas College on the road on Saturday.  SNU finished the '09 season with a 6-5 record and a 3-2 mark in conference play. 

Box Score

The Crimson Storm struck first on Saturday, scoring the games first points with :23 seconds to play in the first quarter.  Phillip Anderson took a screen pass from behind the line of scrimmage from Brady Wardlaw and Anderson found the endzone from six yards out.  The touchdown was credited a run for Anderson.  Ryan Brock added the extra point to give SNU a 7-0 lead.

Texas College cut the Storm lead to one-point later in the half when Xavier Bloodsaw scored on a six-yard touchdown run to cut the Storm lead to 7-6 with 5:00 to play before the half.  The two-point conversion attempt failed.

Brock increased SNU's lead to four points with 2:04 to play before halftime, capping a 9-play, 49-yard drive by hitting a 36-yard field goal to put the Storm up 10-6.

The Steers answered one-minute later when Bloodsaw connected with Parker on a six-yard touchdown pass to put Texas College up for the first time in the game, 12-10, with 1:07 to play before halftime.

Texas College's lead was short-lived as SNU marched down the field in the final minute and Brock nailed a 42-yard field goal as time expired to put the Storm up at the break, 13-12.

Starting the third quarter, the Crimson Storm wasted little time in scoring.  This time, Wardlaw scrambled for 18-yards to the endzone with 12:30 on the clock in the third.  Brocks' extra point increased the SNU lead to 20-12. 

Texas College fought back to cut the SNU lead to two points at 20-18 with 10:00 to play in the third when Bloodsaw found Paul on a 36-yard touchdown strike.

The TC touchdown proved to be as close as the Steers would get as SNU begin to roll as the third quarter time ticked away.  Later in the third, Brock nailed his third field goal of the game, this time connecting from 26-yards out to put SNU up 23-18 with 6:47 to play.

SNU's final score came three minutes later when Wardlaw found Derick Perkins on an 18-yard touchdown pass.  Brock's extra point put SNU ahead 30-18 with 3:59 to play in the game. 

Neither team would score in the fourth quarter and SNU held on for the 30-18 win.

Statistically, SNU finished the game with 443 yards of total offense.  Individually, SNU was led by Brady Wardlaw's 70 yards rushing on 16 attempts.  Derick Perkins followed with 40 yards on the ground on 17 carries.  Wardlaw connected on 22-of-46 passes for 327 yards and one score.  Perkins finished the game with a game-high ten catches for 101 yards and one touchdown.  Josh Woods added four grabs and Zach Turpin added three catches.

Defensively, Codey Zickefoose led the Storm with eight tackles.  Trey Falkner had another big game, finishing with seven stops and 3.5 sacks.  With his 3.5 sacks on Saturday, Falkner tied the school record for most sacks in a season with 11.5.  Adrian Valdes followed with seven tackles as well, Luke Olson and Dewayne Ikner added six, and Garry Minifee and Dalton Lessley finished with five apiece. 

(BETHANY, Okla.)---Southern Nazarene University senior defensive end, Trey Falkner, was named Central States Football League Defensive Player of the Week. Falkner, a 6’2, 228-pounder from Bethany, recorded ten tackles, including seven solo stops in the Crimson Storm’s 48-20 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State on Saturday.

Falkner also finished with four tackles for loss and had three sacks in the Storm’s win. SNU improved to 5-5 on the year with the 28-point victory over OPSU and will close out regular season play on Saturday at Texas College.

(BETHANY, Okla.)---Southern Nazarene University's final football game of the 2009 season has been moved to Chapel Hill High School in Tyler, Texas due to the Texas High School State Football Playoffs.  Game time is still set for 2:00 p.m.

For directions to Chapel Hill High School click here, the link will send you to google maps.

Chapel Hill School, Tyler, Texas

(BETHANY, Okla.)---It was a beautiful, balmy day at the Southern Nazarene University Football stadium as a large crowd turned out for the Homecoming game. On this tenth Homecoming game, SNU defeated Oklahoma Panhandle State University 48-20 in a physical afternoon contest.  The win moves SNU to 5-5 on the year.  As a team, SNU sacked the Aggie quarterback eight times, led by Trey Falkner's three individuals sacks.

Box Score

SNU received the kickoff and began their first drive of the game. The first play of the game for SNU resulted in a 10-yard rush by Branden Smith and a 1st down. Another 1st down was reached in a pass from Brady Wardlaw to Kevin Brooks, but the remainder of the drive died out, leading to a punt.

OPSU began their drive on their own 38-yard line and quickly began going about the business of pounding the ball down the field. Several running plays, one of them very large, put the Aggies on SNU’s 24-yard line, where their momentum stalled, turning the ball over on downs.

Operating from the shotgun, Wardlaw started the Storm’s second drive off right with a big pass to Phillip Anderson on 2nd down for 16 yards and a 1st down. Almost immediately, the Storm burst down the field on two big run plays by Smith, the first for 9 yards, and the second for 19, moving the ball all the way down the 3 yard line, from which Smith easily put it in for the first score of the game. Ryan Brock’s extra point put SNU up 7-0 with 5:03 remaining in the first quarter.

The subsequent kickoff was returned by the Aggies to the 40-yard line. In the first three plays of their drive, the OPSU running back Darryl Brister ran for a total of 24 yards, dashing into SNU territory. Though the Crimson Storm defense managed to slow the rolling Aggies for a few plays, forcing them to make a third down conversion, the OPSU quarterback barreled his way into the end zone. The successful PAT tied the game at 7-7 with 33 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

A touchback on the kickoff gave the SNU offense their start on the 20-yard line. A pass from Wardlaw to Brooks put the Storm on the 31-yard line with a new set of downs before the clock expired on the first quarter. The beginning of the second quarter saw a quick three downs for SNU, and a fourth down punt.

A strong defensive stand forced the Aggies to go three and out on their next possession. A key play was made by SNU’s Dewayne Ikner, who obtained superior position on a OPSU pass down the sideline, only just missing the interception, and preventing the Aggie receiver from reaching the ball. The OPSU punt put SNU on their own 49-yard line.

Having excellent field position, the Storm offense moved down the field in a slow but determined fashion. Backed up by a holding penalty, the Storm never the less gained a big first down on a run by Wardlaw to the OPSU 38 yard line. The very next play, Brooks found a hole in the Aggie secondary. Wardlaw hit him in stride for a 38-yard touchdown pass that, with the Brock extra point, put SNU up 14-7 with 10:29 remaining in the half.

Aided by the stiff wind, the SNU kickoff went out the back of the end zone, putting the Aggies on their own 20-yard line. A fumble on the first play was recovered by the OPSU’s Brister, but only just in time for him to be tackled at his own 9-yard line by the swarming SNU defensive line. Unable to dig themselves out of the deep hole they were in, the Aggies were forced to punt into the wind, resulting in the Storm taking over at the OPSU 24-yard line.

Despite their remarkable field position at the start of the possession, the Storm was unable to convert on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd down. Going for it on 4th down, Wardlaw faked the handoff, then jabbed toward the line of scrimmage as if he planned to run it himself. This jab drew the Aggie cornerbacks in, leaving Anderson wide open down the left sideline for an 18-yard touchdown pass. After the successful PAT, the Storm moved up 21-7. 8:15 remained in the half.

Another touchback on the kickoff put the Aggies at the 20-yard line, but they did not stay there. The swarming SNU defense, led by Luke Olson and Garry Minifee tackled the OPSU back for a loss of 9 yards. An incomplete pass and a sack threatened to give the Storm excellent field position yet again, but a personal foul on 3rd down gave the Aggies 15 yards and an automatic 1st down at their own 26-yard line. The SNU defense was not going to give up, however, as Trey Falkner tackled the OPSU back for another loss, this one of 6 yards, on the next play. Continuing the ferocious defense, Adrian Valdes intercepted the Aggies next pass, giving the Storm the ball in enemy territory.

A quick three plays from SNU amounted to little, and the 45-yard field goal attempt missed, turning the ball back over to the Aggies almost exactly where they lost it on the interception.

The OPSU offense wasted no time in moving the ball down the field. Several big runs and one huge pass for 30 yards put the Aggies on the SNU 12-yard line, from which a touchdown pass put the Aggies down 21-13, where they would stay after missing the PAT.

With 59 seconds remaining in the half, SNU began their drive from their 48-yard line, after a 21-yard return from Gabe John on the kickoff. Two runs from Smith up the middle gained the Storm a new set of downs. A pass over the middle to John won another 1st down, but an awkward bending of his knee on the tackle left the receiver rolling on the ground in pain. After SNU’s coaches and training staff spent several minutes with him on the field, he was carted off, handling his left knee very carefully. Discouraging as it was to see a leading receiver taken out the game, the Storm offense came back out swinging, with Wardlaw slinging a pass to an open Anderson in the corner of the end zone. Brock’s PAT made the score 28-13, and the SNU special teams took the field to kick off with 7 seconds remaining in the half.

The entirety of those seven seconds passed with the OPSU quarterback running from the SNU defense, going down as the clock expired with the Storm holding a 28-13 lead at the break.

The Aggies received the ball to begin the second half, and wasted no time getting their running game rolling. A couple of big run plays found the OPSU threatening the SNU end zone. However, intense pressure from the SNU defense forced a fumble that was recovered by the Storm on their own 31-yard line.

Solid running up the middle gained SNU a first down and placed them near mid-field. It was from there that Wardlaw launched a pass down the right sideline that was pulled down in acrobatic fashion by Marcus Jenkins, putting the ball on the OPSU 19 yard line. A short run up the middle, and an off sides call on the Aggies gave 4 new downs within 10 yards of the goal line. They only needed one, however, as Perkins ran the ball, reaching it across the line to get SNU’s 5th touchdown of the day, and making the score 35-13.

A couple of big plays on the ensuing OPSU drive got them to midfield very quickly, but a penalty and two sacks, one by Falkner, and one by Richard Reed, left them with a 3rd and 21 that they failed to convert on. The subsequent punt was returned to the SNU 22 yard line.

Conservative, power football was the name of the game for the Storm during this possession. It gained them one 1st down, and burned four minutes off the clock, but did little else, leading to a punt that gave the Aggies the ball on the SNU 41-yard line.

The OPSU offense continued to do what they had done all game long, though this time with exceptional success. Their power-run offense pushed the Storm defense down the field, eventually gaining the Aggies a touchdown which, with the extra point, made the score 35-20.

The Storm responded in kind, starting from their 36-yard line, Wardlaw promptly ran for 15 yards and a 1st down, setting the tone for the next play. Perkins ran for 12 yards of his own. It was there, in Aggie territory, that the Storm ran into trouble. A personal foul call was made against both teams after some post-play pushing. However, after calling both fouls, the referee proceeded to eject SNU’s Kevin Brooks from the game for some action than no one in the box, stands, or on the sideline could see. Stubbornly denying the outraged protestations of the SNU coaching staff, the officials proceeded to back the Storm up 15 yards. This situation forced SNU to punt.

The outraged SNU defense did not allow the Aggies to gain a yard on the following possession, sacking the quarterback on both 1st and 3rd downs. The OPSU punt died in the wind and took a big SNU bounce, totally only 8 yards. SNU took over on the Aggie 22.

After a small run for 2 yards, Wardlaw, on 2nd down, found himself scrambling to his left pursued by the Aggie defense. Throwing back across his body, he found Perkins 21 yards away for another touchdown. The new score after the PAT: 42-20, with 11:32 left in the game.

After some gains on their following possession, the Aggies were forced to punt. That punt was partially blocked and picked up inside the OPSU 20 yard line. Three runs from a wildcat formation in the backfield, run by Fafa Alce, put SNU on the 1-yard line. From there, Wardlaw faked the handoff, and hit Anderson in the flats for yet another SNU touchdown. After the PAT was busted up, the score was set at 48-20 with 7:09 remaining in the game.

The Aggies moved the ball down the field efficiently after receiving the kickoff. For the first time in the game, the OPSU passing game made consistent, large gains, and with 4:50 remaining in the game, the Aggies had the ball on the SNU 27. It was there that another tustle broke out between the teams, as the OPSU fullback threw his SNU adversary to the ground long after the play had been called dead. It was the Aggies turn, then, to see a player ejected from the game.

Further, the Aggies were penalized 25 yards on both a holding call and the personal foul on the ejected player. Facing 1st down and 35 to go, the Aggies called a series of conservative plays that did not even get them back to their original line of scrimmage. Sacks by the SNU defense on 3rd and 4th downs gave the Storm offense the ball on their own 48 yard line with 2:08 left in the game.

The Crimson Storm threw a few attempts down field, both of them falling incomplete, rather than running the clock down. However, a first down gained by penalty gave them the downs needed to run the clock out, leaving the Storm victorious for their Homecoming game with a score of 48-20.

The Crimson Storm put up 393 yards total offense, with Wardlaw passing for 220 and 5 touchdowns. Branden Smith led on the ground with 81 yards on 11 carries with 1 touchdown. Trey Falkner led the defense with 10 tackles and 3 sacks. Adrian Valdes joined him with 10 tackles.

(BETHANY, Okla.)---It’s hard to believe, but today is the final home game of the 2009 season for the Crimson Storm. After a tough 3-8 season last year, SNU has rebounded well in ‘09 and are currently 4-5 heading into the final two games of the year. While this young Crimson Storm squad has a lot of high hopes for the future, SNU knows it was close this year to being above .500 and challenging for a CSFL title.

SNU has played well the past two weeks, nearly upsetting 13th-ranked Langston two weeks ago on the road. Last week, SNU led Northwestern 21-19 late in the third quarter before succumbing to the Rangers 48-28.

With two games remaining on the season, SNU still has plenty to play for, as the Crimson Storm will try to finish above .500. In order to do so, SNU will have to win their final two games.

SNU’s opponent today, Oklahoma Panhandle State, has had a solid year. The Aggies are 5-4 and have won four straight heading into today’s homecoming showdown with SNU. After opening the year 0-3, OPSU has responded by winning five-of-six games. The Aggies nearly upset 13th-ranked Langston early in the year, falling 27-21 after two overtimes. Last week, Panhandle picked up a big road win over NCAA Division II opponent, Southwestern Oklahoma State.

While today has a lot of meaning for SNU in terms of homecoming, it is also the final home game for seven seniors. The Crimson Storm will graduate Trey Falkner, Branden Smith, Jacob Smith, Ryan Brock, Billy Lucas, Aaron Elliott and Brad Clark this year. These seniors will be honored prior to the start of today’s game.

It should be a fun one this afternoon. Today is the final home game of the year for the Crimson Storm with plenty still riding on the outcome of the final two games of the year. SNU’s homecoming crowd should be treated to a highly competitive game at the SNU Stadium this afternoon.

To view SNU's national statistical rankings, click here...

SNU vs. OPSU

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Game Day Program

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Live Broadcast

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Live Stats

(BETHANY, Okla.)---The Crimson Storm football team fell in disappointing loss to the Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday evening. The Rangers got off to a quick start, but SNU made a run late in the first half, and carried their momentum over to the second half to go ahead, but NWOSU battled back and walked away with a 48-28 victory over the Storm. With the loss, SNU falls to 4-5 on the season and 2-2 in CSFL play.

Box Score

The Rangers got the ball to start the half, but they were forced to punt the ball away after a short-lived drive. SNU took over at the 20-yardline following the punt, but struggled to move to ball down the field and punted the ball away as well. The teams exchanged punts once again before the Rangers got on the board for the first time, scoring a touchdown with 3:06 remaining in the half to go ahead 6-0.

SNU pursued a touchdown of their own on the next drive, moving the ball down the field with a series of runs from Branden Smith, who returned after what was thought to be a season ending injury in the first game of the season. Smith gained 11 yards on four carries during the drive, but after an unsuccessful first down conversion with time ticking away in the first quarter, SNU was forced to settle for a field goal. Unfortunately for the Storm, the field goal was blocked at the beginning of the second quarter.

On the first play of the Rangers next drive, SNU’s Dante Campbell picked of a pass headed up the middle of the field and took it to the four-yard line before being brought down. However, the Storm threw an interception in the end zone two plays later, and the Rangers remained in the lead.

NWOSU scored again on a long drive following the Wardlaw turnover, and SNU trailed 0-12 with 8:21 to play in the second quarter.

Wardlaw and Kevin Brooks hooked up on the first play of the following drive for a 80-yard completion, but the two plays that followed were unsuccessful and SNU pouch punted the ball away on fourth down. The Rangers Kyle Jech found Korey Williams in the open field on the next possession, and Williams burnt the SNU defense to score once again for NWOSU. With the touchdown, the Rangers took at 19-0 lead with 6:36 to play in the half.

SNU’s Gabe John gave the Storm spectacular field position with a 32-yard return on the kickoff, but another inception on the first snap of the possession put the ball back under center for the Rangers.

Following a partially blocked punt by the SNU special teams, the Storm offense took the field once again with under two minutes remaining in the half. Wardlaw found an open receiver deep in NWOSU territory with 40 seconds remaining, and he gave the ball a ride, completing the 30-yard pass to freshman wide receiver, Phillip Anderson. With the ball on the five yard line, SNU took just two more plays to find the end zone on a screen pass to Branden Smith, who easily trotted eight more yards into the end zone to give SNU their first points of the night. Ryan Brock added the PAT for the Storm to cut into the NWOSU lead, and the score read 7-19 with 11 seconds to play in the half.

The beginning of the second half sent players and fans alike on an emotional roller coaster, as the Storm moved the ball up the field quickly in a promising drive that resulted in a Branden Smith fumble near the NWOSU 20 yard line. The Rangers took over for their first possession of the half, but it was short-lived as a NWOSU fumble was recovered by Campbell and Wardlaw stepped back under center for the Storm.
SNU wasted little time, and built on the new momentum in a three-play scoring drive to close the gap once again.

Wardlaw stayed on his feet to start the drive, moving the ball 11-yards. Facing third and goal, SNU found the end zone for the second time of the night with a seven-yard touchdown completion to standout wide receiver, Brooks. The extra point attempt from Brock was blocked, and the score remained the difference of one touchdown, 13-19 with 13:17 to play in the third quarter.

The Crimson Storm defense put up a fierce stand on the Rangers following possession, forcing a fumble by Rangers quarterback in the redzone. Nate Cotton recovered the fumble for SNU, and the offense took over at their 13 yard line.

SNU’s next offensive possession seemed as if it may not last long, as the Rangers defense kept Wardlaw deep in his own end. Fortunately for the Storm, a NWOSU penalty moved the ball 15-yards on fourth down, and the offense was given a little life. Smith picked up 14-yards on a nice run up the middle following the penalty, but three unsuccessful downs followed, and the Storm offense got set to punt the ball away.

A brilliant fake play call resulted in a 40-yard, first down reception by Dewayne Ikner, the Storm gained momentum. The Rangers defense refused to let Wardlaw into the end zone easily however, sacking the Storm quarterback on the next snap. Wardlaw remained composed however, and found Phillip Anderson on the next play for a nine-yard pass that put SNU within ten-yards of the end zone.

Hooking up with Gabe John in the end zone on the next play, Wardlaw tied the game at 19 for the Storm. SNU’s special teams remained on the sideline however, and the Storm got set to go for two. It seemed as if the Rangers would come out on top, as they quickly pressured Wardlaw and covered the end zone well. But Wardlaw remained on his feet with his eyes toward to back of the end zone, scrambling for what seemed like minutes, before firing towards Smith for a successful two-point conversion that gave SNU a 21-19 lead with 5:13 remaining in the third.

The Rangers responded on their next possession, pounding the ball down the field and into the end zone. NWOSU tacked on two more with a successful two-point conversion that gave them the 27-21 lead with 1:45 to play in the third quarter.

Time ticked away in the corner, and the Storm moved the ball down the field in a series of plays. The final play of the quarter gave SNU a first down, as Wardlaw completed a 15-yard pass to Anderson. The Storm began the fourth quarter with good field position and nearly scored on a 40-yard touchdown pass that slipped right through the hands of Brooks in the end zone.

The Rangers took over on downs just one play later, and a pulled off an impressive double reverse on the first play of the drive, scoring a 70-yard touchdown to take a 33-21 lead with 13:36 remaining in the game.

Fafa Alce gave the Storm good field position with a 23-yard return on the ensuing kickoff, but SNU’s Brady Wardlaw went down on the first play of the drive as he attempted to get out-of-bounds with several NWOSU defenders on his heels. A very late hit from a Ranger defender knocked Wardlaw to the ground on the opponents sideline, and he remained motionless for several minutes before finally getting to his feet and slowly making his way back to the Storm bench.

Matt Ligon stepped in under center for the Storm, and handed the ball off the Smith on his fist snap. Ligon went to the air on the next play, sending the ball to the left sideline where Josh Woods pulled it down for a 26-yard, first down reception. Ligon and Woods hooked up again two plays later on a screen pass that resulted in a 11-yard Storm touchdown. Brock added another field goal to cut into the Rangers lead, making the score 28-33 with 10:26 to play in the game.

The Rangers offense stepped back on the field and took the ball down the field quickly once again, scoring a 63-yard touchdown, and adding a successful two-point conversion to gain a 41-28 lead with 10:10 remaining.

SNU and NWOSU exchanged possessions several more times before the conclusion of the game, and the Rangers tacked on another touchdown with 1:43 remaining following an interception.

The Rangers iced the game away, keeping the Storm off the board for the remainder of the night, walking away with a 48-28 victory.

The Crimson Storm was led offensively by Wardlaw and Ligon, with 177 and 57 yards passing respectively. Branden Smith led SNU with six receptions for 63-yards and Kevin Brooks and Josh Woods followed with five receptions for 48-yards apiece.

On the defensive side of the ball Cody Zickefoose led with nine tackles, followed closely by Trey Falkner who had seven. Dante’ Campbell pulled down one interception and recovered and fumble, and Nate Cotton also recovered a fumble for the Storm. SNU had 346 yards offensively in the game.

(BETHANY, Okla.)---SNU football has released their recruiting visit dates. The dates include the November 7th homecoming game against Oklahoma Panhandle State University, December 12th, January 16th, January 23rd, and February 6th. Anyone interested in attending should contact Coach Eric Michael at 405-717-6246. All visits will begin at 10:30 am. Please send or bring game film and a High School transcript.

(BETHANY, Okla.)---It’s hard to describe the feeling SNU carries into their Halloween game with Northwestern after a bitter loss to 15th-ranked Langston last weekend. SNU nearly pulled the upset on the road last weekend, but suffered a late touchdown that resulted in the Lions escaping with a 20-19 win over the Storm. While the loss was a hard one to swallow for the Storm, Mike Cochran has rallied his troops as the Crimson Storm look to regain some momentum on Saturday night.

The loss bumped SNU from the ranks of the CSFL unbeaten and slid the Crimson Storm back to the .500 mark at 4-4 overall and 2-1 in CSFL play. While the loss likely means no playoffs for SNU, the Storm still have plenty to play for the remainder of the 2009 season.

Langston was defeated by SNU’s opponent today, Northwestern, earlier this year. So, an SNU win tonight would leave the Crimson Storm with a shot at sharing the CSFL regular season title with the Lions. SNU still has one conference game remaining after tonight with Texas College (0-8 and 0-2 in CSFL play) on the road.

Northwestern is unbeaten in CSFL play at 3-0, but the Rangers are not eligible for the conference title this season. NWOSU is 4-3 overall. The Rangers beat Langston on October 10th 27-21 in Alva.

It’s been a good year for the Crimson Storm in 2009, after suffering their first losing season in school history last year at 3-8, SNU has rebounded nicely. It could be a really good year if the Storm could win out and claim a share of the CSFL regular season crown for the second time in school history and equal the program’s most wins at 7.

Tonight will be a tough test for the Crimson Storm however. Northwestern Oklahoma has been the CSFL’s biggest power over the years, and despite being ineligible for the conference crown, the Rangers are still having a good season with a 4-3 record.

Northwestern has dominated this series winning four-of-five games over SNU. The lone SNU win came in 2006 as a result of a forfeit. SNU has never actually beaten the Rangers on the gridiron. The win in ’06 came after the season due to some rules infractions. Last year, Northwestern defeated SNU in Alva 42-21.

To view a statistical comparison of the two teams, click here…

SNU vs. Northwestern

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Game Day Program

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Live Broadcast

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Live Stats

(ALVA, Okla.)---The 8th week's report for the Central States Football League has been released. The report ranks the team and individual players in each category, plus has the Players of the Week selections and current CSFL standings.

The Crimson Storm nearly pulled off a huge upset win last Saturday at #15 Langston, losing 20-19 to fall to 4-4 on the year and 2-1 in CSFL play.  SNU will host Northwestern Oklahoma State in a Halloween showdown at the SNU Stadium on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m.  There will be candy available throughout the night and fans are encouraged to wear their best costumes (SNU appropriate keep in mind) to the game.  At halftime, the best costumes of the night will be judged and awarded prizes. 

CSFL Report #8

(LANGSTON, Okla.)---Southern Nazarene University traveled to Langston University today to play a high-tension, last minute, thriller that ended in a devastating loss, the Crimson Storm falling 19-20 to the Lions under a beautiful, 69 degree, autumn sky. The loss drops SNU to 4-4 on the year and 2-1 in Central States Football League play.

Box Score

SNU won the coin toss, and deferred in order to get that ball the second half. SNU kicker Ryan Brock sent the kickoff into the end zone and the LU return man ran it out to the 22 yard line. The first set play of the game, SNU was called for off sides, giving the Lions 5 free yards. A false start called on LU moved them back five yards, evening the penalty yards. A pass over the middle, caught for a first down, moved the Lion drive down the field. The next play was a fake hand off, with the running back heaving it deep towards the streaking receiver. It fell incomplete off his fingertips. Two more incomplete pass plays forced the Lions to punt from their 35-yard line.

The punt was a line drive, downed by the LU special teams at the SNU 45 yard line. The Crimson Storm started their first drive of the game with a pass over the middle from Brady Wardlaw to Kevin Brooks; it hit Brooks in stride and he ran all the way to the LU 10 yard line before being corralled. Derek Perkins received the hand-off immediately after, broke two tackles, and put the ball in the end zone. Ryan Brock punched through the extra point. SNU up 7-0 with 12:52 in the first quarter.

SNU kicked off, and the ball was once again returned from the goal line to the 37 yard line, where a shoe-string tackle saved a sure touchdown return. On the first play of the LU drive, outside linebacker Luke Olson burst into the backfield to pull down the Lion running back. The very next play, Olson recovered a LU fumble, putting the Storm offense back on the field on the LU 31-yard line.

The very next play, quarterback Brady Wardlaw threw an incomplete pass out to the right, but then connected with Brooks who gained 8 yards. The Storm drive was helped when the LU defense jumped offsides, moving the ball 5 yards closer to their own end zone and giving the Storm a first down. A quick pass out right gained no yardage and Wardlaw’s next pass was intercepted by the Lion’s Derrick Butler and run back to the 48-yard line before Wardlaw brought him down.

On the first play of LU’s drive, Trey Falkner and Luke Olson chased the Lion quarter back down and sacked him for a loss of 5 yards. This was followed by a quarter back-keeper, which gained 7 yards. The following play was 3rd down and 7, and the ball was on the 46-yard line. Strong secondary play on SNU’s part forced an incomplete pass to bring about a punt.

It was a short punt, downed on the SNU 37 yard line. From the shotgun, on the first play, Wardlaw, under pressure, tucked the ball and ran for about 5 yards. A subsequent pass play to Brooks gained 3 yards. On the following 3rd down, a hand off to Perkins was stifled in the backfield, forcing 4th and 5, and the first SNU punt.

The end-over-end punt was called for a fair catch at the LU 22 yard line. A hand off to LU’s Carlos Ross was taken around the left end for a 9-yard gain. On 2nd down and 1, a false start on the Lion offense made it 2nd down and 6. A hand off to Ross up the middle produced a short gain of 1 yard, making it 3rd down and 5, on the LU 27 yard line. A pass play out to the right side line, gained 6 yards and a LU’s first 1st down in almost 10 minutes of play. A pass to Ross, floating out in the flat, gained 4 yards. Despite plenty of time for the Lion quarterback, the next play resulted in an incomplete pass which bounced off the hands of a wide open receiver. The pass on 3rd down gained a first down, moving the ball to the 50 yard line. The Lions then tried a flea flicker, but pressure by Olson broke up the play, resulting in a sack by Wes Martin. A pass floated out to Ross in the flat, again, and was run in for a touchdown. The extra point was put through by Anthony Fernandez, tying the game at 7-7 with 2:42 in the first quarter.

A high, towering kickoff bounced high, untouched by the SNU special teams. LU appeared to recover the high bounce, but in the ensuing pile up, SNU regained the ball, and began their drive on the SNU 33 yard line. A QB keeper for Wardlaw was run right up the middle through the gaping holes created by the SNU spread offense. A pass play out right gained 7 yards. But Wardlaw was sacked in the backfield on the next play making it 2nd down and 12. A pass out right to Perkins gained 6 yards, making it 3rd and 6. The Lions were called for defensive pass interference on the next play, which moved the ball to the LU 34 yard line and gave the Storm a new set of downs. Wardlaw was sacked immediately thereafter for a loss of an incredible 11 yards. On 2nd down and 21 with 11 seconds in the first quarter a pass to the left was called down for negative yards as the receiver was forced to his knees to catch the ball. Time expired in the 1st quarter.

The start of the 2nd quarter found SNU with 3rd down and 21. Wardlaw was brought down at the line of scrimmage making it 4th down and 21, SNU appeared to be ready to go for it, but were called for a false start bringing about 4th and 26 and an SNU punt.

A fair catch was called on the punt at the 24 yard line. The first play was a pass out to the left, complete for 12 yards and a first down, tackle made by Luke Olson. Two plays later, LU’s Ross broke open a big run play for a first down and several yards more. The ball moved to the SNU 26 and a new set of downs were awarded. A QB keeper gained 1 yard. On 2nd down and 9, LU called a reverse, but Luke Olson burst deep into the back field and brought down the LU running back for a loss 9, making it 3rd down and 18. A pass deep to LU’s Stephen Kemp, Jr, put the ball on the SNU 8 yard line. The LU QB kept the ball and ran out of bounds to gain 3 yards, making it 2nd and goal on the 5 yard line. Ross up the middle for 2 yards made it 3rd and goal at the 3 yard line. An option play, pitched late, to the running back stopped with no gain, bringing out the Lion field goal kicker. The kick was blocked by the Storm, recovered by the Storm, and run to the 30 yard line by the Storm. Garry Minifee was on the block, and the ball was recovered by Dewayne Ikner.

Wardlaw’s first pass was incomplete. The second play was a shovel pass for 1 yard, but a roughing the passer call gave SNU 15 further yards and a 1st down on the 46 yard line. A pass down the left sideline for 13 yards put the ball on LU 41 yard line, with 7:00 minutes left in the first half. A pass over the middle from Wardlaw to Phillip Anderson for 23 yards put the ball on the 18 yard line. The first pass into the end zone fell incomplete. The second play was a pass to Perkins in the flat, he was brought down at the LU 5 yard line, gaining a 1st down. A short gain on 1st down, and a pass out right on 2nd down for negative yards evened out at no gain. 3rd down and goal saw an incomplete pass as Warlaw was forced to throw it away under pressure. The 22-yard field goal by Brock was good. SNU moved up 10-7 with 5:02 remaining in the first half.

The kickoff was fielded at the 26 yard line and the return man was brought down at the 28 yard line with good coverage by Crimson Storm special teams. The first play of the LU drive brought a false start call that backed up the Lion offense to the 23-yard line making it 1st down and 15. The SNU defense shut out the Lions thereafter, forcing a punt.

The LU punt was received by Brooks at the SNU 30 and Brooks darted down the field, returning it all the way to the LU 12 yard line. 1st down saw Wardlaw sacked for a loss of 9. 2nd and long saw a pass into the back left corner of the endzone, incomplete. And 3rd down and long saw Wardlaw keep the ball to run it to the 15 yard line. On 4th and 13 Brock punched through the 32-yard field goal attempt. SNU went up 13-7 with 1:21 in the first half.

Offsetting penalties on the kickoff resulted in a re-kick, much to the relief of the Storm, as LU’s Derrick Butler had returned the first all the way to the SNU 2 yard line. On the re-kick, fielded at the 19 yard line, the Lions ran a 9 yard return to the 28 yard line. LU’s offense took the field with 1:02 remaining in the half.

The first play of the LU possession was a long shot down the left sideline, incomplete. 2nd down was a pass over the middle to Lu’s Kor’Darien Mathis, running for 9 yards before going out of bounds. 3rd down found Ross running for a first down, moving the ball to the 48 yard line. A big pass play of 43 yards to the 18 yard line was completed to Mathis. LU called a time out and on the resumption of play threw a pass for 8 yards, putting ball at the 10 yard line. 2nd down and 2, LU’s pass into the end zone was dropped in the end zone. With 16 seconds in the half remaining, the Lion’s QB kept it for 6 yards, moving the ball to the 4 yard line, gaining a first down with 9 seconds left. A fade route into the back left corner fell incomplete. 5 seconds left. On the last play of the half, the LU quarter back ran for it, and was forced out at the 1 yard line, leaving the score 13-7, SNU leading at the half.

The Crimson Storm received the ball to start the 2nd half, with Brooks fielding the kickoff at the 20 yard line and returning it 15 yards to the 35 yard line. 1st down found Wardlaw taking it around the left end for a gain of 7. A loss of 3 on the ensuing run play and an incomplete pass forced a punt on 4th down which was downed on the 48 yard line.

A LU run play up the middle by Ross gained 3 yards. The next play was a run for 8 yards, gaining a first down. 1st down on SNU 41 yard line resulted in an incomplete pass. 2nd down was a run around the end for no gain. A holding call on the play moved them back 10 yards to their own 49, 2nd down and 20. A screen pass to Ross gained 7 yards bringing about 3rd down and 13 on the SNU 44. A pass to the left moved the ball to the SNU 3 yard line, a touchdown saving tackle was made by Luke Olson. On 1st down, a run up the middle resulted in no gain. A run up the middle by Ross led to the touchdown. Fernandez put the extra point through to make the score SNU 13, LU 14, with 8:51 seconds in the 3rd quarter.

The kickoff by LU went out the back of the end zone for a touchback. SNU started their drive on their own 20. On 2nd down and 10, Wardlaw scrambled under pressure, going down around the line of scrimmage. 3rd down found a big pass out to the right for a big gain, but the ball was punched out by the pursuing cornerback, with the Lions recovering on their own 42.

Ross ran up the middle, for no gain on the next LU possession. A pass to the left for a gain of 11 and a 1st down was forced out at the SNU 44 yard line. Another LU 1st down conversion two plays latter moved the ball to the SNU 31 yard line. A run up the middle by Mathis gained 5 yards. 2nd down resulted in an incomplete pass. On 3rd down, a fumble was forced and recovered by SNU. A personal foul on Langston moved the ball to the LU 41 yard line.

1st down saw an incomplete pass, but a holding call on LU moved SNU 10 more yards forward and gave them a new set of downs. On the next play, Wardlaw was forced to keep it by pressure and gained 3 yards. On 3rd down SNU connected on a fade route to the corner after a great pass by Wardlaw with a good catch by Woods. Woods fell into the end zone for a touchdown. Brock hooked the extra point to miss, making the score 19-14 in favor of SNU with 2:13 left in the game.

The kick off was returned to the 31-yard line. The Lion’s drive failed to move down the field and they were forced to punt.

The SNU drive fared no better and the subsequent punt was returned to the SNU 43 yard line.

LU ran for 6 yards on 1st down on their next drive. Another run up the middle gained them a 1st down and put the ball on the 32-yard line. Yet another run by Ross gained 18 yards and another first down. LU kept with the run game, with Ross punching the ball 7 yards to the 6-yard line. The next run play turned into a large scrum of players and suddenly the ball popped out! SNU recovered on their own 5 yard line.

This drive also failed to go anywhere and SNU was forced to punt. A fair catch made on the LU 44.

A pass play on the first LU play moved the ball 12 yards to the SNU 44. A sack for a loss of one brought about 2nd down and 11. On perhaps the most important 3rd down of the game, Ross bust a run for 27 yards to the SNU 18. The Lions, on the next play, threw for a touchdown down the left side. The Lions went for 2 points, but the pass was broken up, incomplete. Score was SNU 19, LU 20.

The LU kickoff was a line-drive that was recovered and returned to the 40 yard line by SNU. With 3:33 left in the game, the Storm began their drive, down by 1 point. A pass from Wardlaw to Brooks for a 15 yard gain got the Storm a 1st down. A false start backed them up 10 yards. A pass completed for a few yards made it 3rd down and 15. Another fumble in the backfield was recovered by SNU. Going for it on 4th and 21, their last shot, was a pass down the left side of the side line, short of the first down, but it turned into a hook and ladder play, with the receiver pitching the ball to a streaking Brooks who takes it all the way to the 27 yard line, 1st down! A couple of small run plays did not gain much in the way of yardage, and with 6 seconds left in the game, Ryan Brock came onto the field to attempt a 41 yard field goal to win the game. The Lions used their last time out to ice the SNU kicker. As Brock came back on the field, he was never able to get the kick off as the snap was bobbled, and the ball downed, ending the game. SNU lost 19-20.

Individually, Wardlaw finished the game 20-for-30 with 238 yards and one touchdown. Kevin Brooks led the team with eight catches for 114 yards. Phillip Anderson followed with five catches for 65 yards and Josh Woods added three catches for 50 yards and a score. Derick Perkins also had a three catches.

Defensively, Olson led SNU in tackles with 11. Olson added 2.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and a forced fumble. Dante’ Campbell followed with nine tackles and Trey Falkner added six. Codey Zickefoose followed with five stops and a sack and Keenon Allen and Jayson Walser finished with four tackles apiece. Kurt Nollan and Jamie Richards also added a fumble recovery each and Dalton Lessley finished with a blocked field goal.

(BETHANY, Okla.)---Saturday will mark one of the biggest games of the season for Southern Nazarene’s football team and what could be one of the biggest games in the short ten-year history of SNU football. Southern Nazarene (4-3 and 2-0 in CSFL play) will travel to 15th-ranked Langston (6-2 and 2-1 in CSFL play) for a Saturday afternoon showdown that will likely decide this year’s conference winner.

SNU has claimed one conference crown in its history in 2006 when the Crimson Storm shared the title with Texas College with a 3-1 record. However, Northwestern Oklahoma State had actually won the championship before being forced to vacate the title due to some rules infractions, thus giving the title to the Storm and Steers.

With four games remaining on the season, and all four games being conference games, now is the time for SNU to claim the title outright for the first time in school history. But, of course, they will have to likely run the table.

SNU sits atop the CSFL standings with a 2-0-conference mark, tied with Northwestern, but the Rangers are ineligible to win the title even though games against NWOSU do count towards the conference win/loss record. SNU and Northwestern play next weekend in a Halloween showdown at the SNU Stadium.

Langston sits behind the Storm and Rangers at 2-1 in CSFL play after losing their lone conference game to Northwestern 27-21 on October 10th.

Current CSFL standings

The Crimson Storm has been up-and-down this season, winning one week and then losing the next. SNU has yet to put together a win-streak, but if the Storm could win on Saturday it would be the first streak of the year.

The good news for the Crimson Storm is that SNU is 4-1 against NAIA competition this year and all four teams left on the schedule are NAIA teams. SNU’s two other losses came to NCAA powers Mary Hardin-Baylor and Southwest Baptist.

SNU has been shattering offensive records throughout the season and currently ranks 8th in the country in total pass offense with 1,962 yards on the year. SNU’s average of 280 yards per game through the air is 12th best in the nation. SNU is also 27th in total scoring offense with 196 points on the season and 29th in points per game, averaging 28.

Defensively, SNU has struggled, giving up 440 yards of total offense thus far and giving up an average of 36.3 points per game, but 110 of those points came against the NCAA competition. Against NAIA competition, SNU has only given up 28.8 points per game and had their best outing of the season last weekend against Southwestern Assemblies, surrendering only 12 points.

SNU national statistical rankings

Langston is ranked 15th in the latest NAIA poll and is 6-2 on the year. The Lions lone losses of the year came at Arkansas Pine Bluff (45-30) and at Northwestern Oklahoma (27-21). LU’s lone common opponent so far with SNU was Southwestern Assemblies of God, a game in which the Lions won 37-10.

Langston has been a strong defensive team this year, currently ranking 6th in the country in total defense per game, allowing only 232 yards of total offense. LU is also 10th in the country against the run (85.1 yds per game) and 10th against the pass (147.5 yds per game).

SNU and Langston series history

Both teams have much to play for on Saturday. A possible conference title, plus a possible shot at the NAIA National Playoffs. With Langston ranked 15th, the Lions just need to keep winning to get into the playoffs. For SNU, who has received one vote the past three weeks in the national polls, the road is more difficult, but if SNU wins their final four games and finishes 8-3, the Crimson Storm should be looking at the program’s first-ever trip to the playoffs.

SNU and Langston Statistical Comparison

Listen to the game live here

(ALVA, Okla.)---The seventh week's report for the Central States Football League has been released. The report ranks the team and individual players in each category, plus has the Players of the Week selections and current CSFL standings.

SNU quarterback Brady Wardlaw earned CSFL Offensive Player of the Week honors after helping SNU to a 31-12 win over SW Assemblies of God on Saturday.

CSFL Report #7

(BETHANY, Okla.)---SNU quarterback Brady Wardlaw was named the Central States Football Offensive Player of the Week after leading SNU to a 31-12 win over SW Assemblies of God on Saturday.

Wardlaw was 23-of-42 for 326 yards and passed for three touchdowns in Southern Nazarene’s 31-12 win over SW Assemblies. He rushed for 17 yards and also scored a rushing touchdown.

(WAXAHACHIE, Texas)---The Crimson Storm football team improved to 4-3 on the year and 2-0 in Central States Football League play with a 31-12 victory over Southwestern Assemblies of God University on Saturday night in Texas.  The win sets up a big showdown with #15 Langston next Saturday afternoon at Langston.  SNU is alone atop the CSFL standings at 2-0 (Northwestern is also unbeaten, but is ineligible for the league crown this year).  Langston is 2-1 on the year in CSFL play after losing to Northwestern last weekend. 

 

Box Score

 

On Saturday, SNU was engaged in a close contest with Southwestern until the fourth quarter when the Crimson Storm scored 17 points to ice the game away.

 

SNU struck first in the game, scoring early in the first quarter when Jacob Smith caught a 23 yard pass from Brady Wardlaw for the games first touchdown.  Ryan Brock’s extra point put SNU up 7-0.

 

After a late field goal by SAGU to end the second quarter, SNU would lead at halftime 7-3.

 

The Lions cut into the SNU lead with a safety with 2:11 remaining in the third quarter to cut the Storm lead to 7-5.

 

SNU quickly responded as Wardlaw hooked up this time with Josh Woods on another 23-yard strike.  Brock’s extra point gave SNU some breathing room at 14-5 heading into the fourth quarter. 

 

To start the fourth, Brock capped a 10-play, 61-yard drive by increasing SNU’s lead to 17-5 with a 25-yard field goal with 10:15 to play in the game.

 

Southwestern fought back shortly afterwards as Quentin Coleman grabbed a Jeremy Fowler pass and went 62 yards for the score less than a minute later, cutting the SNU lead to 17-12 with 9:33 to play in the game.

 

But SNU answered right back as Wardlaw punched the ball in from one yard out just :17 seconds later to give SNU a comfortable 24-12 lead with 9:02 to play in the game.

 

SNU sealed the win later in the fourth when Wardlaw connected on his third touchdown pass of the game, this time finding Kevin Brooks from 24 yards out to cap a 10-play, 87-yard drive and give SNU a 31-12 win.  Brock again tacked on the extra point.

 

Individually, Derick Perkins led the way on the ground for SNU, rushing for 34 yards on 13 carries.  Brady Wardlaw was 23-of-42 for 326 yards and three touchdowns.  Josh Woods led SNU with seven catches for 98 yards and a score.  Perkins added six catches for 61 yards, Gabe John finished with four catches for 69 yards and Kevin Brooks added four catches for 46 yards.

 

Defensively, Luke Olson led SNU with ten tackles along with one sack.  Adrian Valdes added eight stops with one interception and a fumble recovery.  Trey Falkner finished with two sacks and seven tackles and Dante’ Campbell added six tackles and a sack.  Other SNU defensive highlights saw Jayson Walser and Garry Minifee finish with five tackles apiece.  Walser added a sack, as did Jonathan Jenkins-Dill and Brandon Broadus.

 

(BOLIVAR, Mo.)---The Crimson Storm football team fell to 3-3 on the year with a 68-10 loss to Southwest Baptist University in Missouri on Saturday afternoon.

Box Score

The Bearcats started the year 0-4, but have now won three straight with their win over the Crimson Storm on Saturday. Southwest Baptist is an NCAA Division II school and upset the University of Central Oklahoma last weekend.

On Saturday, SNU had the momentum early, scoring the games first points as senior kicker, Ryan Brock, capped an 8-play, 45-yard drive to put SNU ahead 3-0 on a 34-yard field goal. The score came at the 12:19 mark of the first quarter.

Unfortunately for Storm fans, that was the end of the good news for SNU. The first quarter would snowball for SNU as the Crimson Storm gave up 34 first quarter points.

Southwest Baptist wasted little time in scoring, putting their first touchdown on the scoreboard less than a minute later when Steven Gachette scored on a 27-yard touchdown run to put the Bearcats up 7-3.

Southwest Baptist blocked an SNU punt on the next drive and scored on the block to increase their lead to 13-3.

After an SNU turnover on their next drive, Gachette scored for the second time, this time on a one-yard run to increase the Bearcats advantage to 20-3 with 7:23 to play in the first.

SNU was forced to punt again and the Bearcats Gachette scored again at the 5:33 mark of the first quarter to increase the SBU advantage to 27-3. SBU would lead 34-3 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter wasn't much better for SNU as the Bearcats tacked on 31 second quarter points to lead 65-3 at the half.

SNU's lone touchdown of the game came with 5:16 on the clock in the third quarter when Brady Wardlaw scored on a 25-yard touchdown run to make the score, SBU 65, SNU 10.

Southwest Baptist went on to win 68-10.

Statistically, Southwest Baptist racked up 659 yards of total offense (285 through the air and 374 on the ground, while SNU managed only 226 yards of total offense (143 passing and 83 rushing). SNU had four turnovers in the loss.

Individually, Wardlaw finished 15-of-34 for 143 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions through the air. Jacob Smith led SNU with six catches for 58 yards and Kevin Brooks finished with 5 catches for 55 yards.

Defensively, Luke Olson led SNU with 13 tackles. Jayson Walser, Dalton Lessley, Codey Zickefoose and Trey Falkner added eight tackles apiece.

(ALVA, Okla.)---The fifth week's report for the Central States Football League has been released. The report ranks the team and individual players in each category, plus has the Players of the Week selections and current CSFL standings.

SNU swept the weekly CSFL Player of the Week honors on Monday as Brady Wardlaw earned Offensive Player of the Week honors, Dante' Campbell earned Defensive honors and Kevin Brooks earned Special Team honors.

CSFL Report #5

(BETHANY, Okla.)---Southern Nazarene University swept the Central States Football League Player of the Week honors on Monday, winning the Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams honors.

Sophomore quarterback, Brady Wardlaw, earned CSFL Offensive Player of the Week honors after amounting for 253 of Southern Nazarene’s yards and scoring five touchdowns in the Crimson Storm’s 50-29 victory over Bacone College. He completed 24-of-40 passes for 207 yards and four touchdowns. Wardlaw rushed 11 times for 46 yards and a score.

Freshman linebacker, Dante' Campbell, was named the CSFL Defensive Player of the Week after picking up 10 tackles in SNU’s victory over Bacone. He recorded six solo stops, three tackles for losses of 18 yards, 1.5 sacks and broke up a pass.

Freshman returner, Kevin Brooks, earned CSFL Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Brooks tallied 186 yards on seven returns. He returned four punts for 96 yards and had a long of 46 yards. Brooks also ran three kickoffs back for 90 yards, including a long return of 55 yards.

SNU is 3-2 on the year and 1-0 in CSFL play and will head to Southwest Baptist on Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. game.

(BETHANY, Okla.)---The Crimson Storm football team picked up their first win in Central States Football League competition with 50-29 victory over Bacone. After picking up ten quick points early in the first quarter, SNU struggled to get things going offensively until the second half, when they scored 37 unanswered points to blow the Warriors away.

Box score

SNU kicked off to start the night, but the Storm defense remained on the sidelines when Jacob Faulkner recovered the fumbled kick. Unfortunately for SNU, their first offensive possession was shut down by the Bacone defense. Following three plays with little ball movement, the Storm special teams took the field again, and Ryan Brock nailed a 32-yard field goal to put SNU ahead 3-0 at the 14:05 to play in the first quarter.

The Warriors fielded Brock’s second kickoff off of the day cleanly, but SNU’s Trey Falkner met the returner immediately, bringing him down at the 20 yard line. On Bacone’s first snap of the game, SNU’s Dante Campbell broke through the offensive line and brought down Shawn Walls for a loss of four yards. Just two plays later, SNU forced the second fumble of the game, and Luke Olson came up with the recover, sending the Storm offense back onto the field.

SNU’s second offensive possession of the evening was a success, as Brady Wardlaw found Kevin Brooks in the end zone on the three-play drive. Wardlaw found Derick Perkins on the first play of the drive, and Jacob Smith on the second, but the ball moved little. On the final play of the drive, Wardlaw saw Brooks breaking into the end zone with a defender trailing behind; He connected, and following the PAT from Brock, SNU jumped on top 10-0 with 12:09 remaining in the quarter.

The Warriors responded on the next drive, finding the end zone on a five-play drive to narrow SNU’s lead to a field goal. Bacone’s Walls found Derek Cox in the center of the field, and Cox pulled down the pass, breaking free towards the end zone and scoring with 10:09 to play in the first quarter.

The Storm moved the ball well on their next possession, but several SNU penalties resulted in Jordan Key punting the ball away from the SNU 20 yard line.

A promising drive from the Warriors on their next possession was shut down deep in Storm territory, when Bacone was plagued by another fumble that was recovered, once again, by SNU’s Olson. Wardlaw and the Storm offense took over at their own 33 yard line, but the possession was short lived. The three-and-out drive resulted in another punt from Key.

The Storm defense gave Wardlaw a chance to take the field again, shutting down the Bacone offense and forcing them to punt the ball away after a loss of 11-yards.

Following a 16-yard punt return from Brooks, the offense moved the ball towards the end zone on the ground. Perkins ran for 18 yards on three plays before the end of the quarter, but SNU was forced to settle for a field goal at the beginning of the second quarter, when Brock split the uprights to put the Storm on top 13-7 with 14:50 remaining in the half.


The Warriors were shut down once again on their first drive of the second quarter, and SNU regained possession once again. Wardlaw kept the ball on the first play of the drive, gaining 16-yards on his feet for the Crimson Storm first down. Going in the air on the second play, Wardlaw connected with Brooks for an eight-yard gain, and Jacob Smith gave SNU a first down with a four-yard run. The promising drive came to an end shortly after, and Key punted the ball away.

Bacone posted another strong drive midway through the second half, but SNU held strong defensively, refusing to lead slip away. The Warriors attempted a 43-yard field goal, but the kick went wide right and SNU maintained a six-point lead.

Again, the Storm struggled to get things going offensively and were forced to punt for the fourth time after another three-and-out drive.

SNU’s defensive nearly picked off a pass from Walls early in the Warriors next drive, but the ball was tipped several times before finding the ground. Bacone moved the ball down the field with ease following the close call, and eventually took their first lead of the game with a 10-yard touchdown reception by Roman Nelson with only 1:59 to play in the half. The Warriors led 14-13 following the extra point from Brandon Hawley.

Wardlaw and the Storm offense couldn’t move the ball up the field once again, and they punted the ball away with just over a minute to play in the half. The Crimson Storm defense did their job once again, forcing a Warriors fumble for the third time over the evening.

With 26 seconds remaining, the Storm offense took the field once again, moving the ball to the Bacone 48 yard line with an eight-yard pass to Perkins, but with little time remaining, SNU couldn’t find the end zone and trailed 13-14 at the half.

After struggling in the first half, the Crimson Storm offense came out strong in second half, moving the ball 33-yards on the first two plays of the drive. Perkins, who was the offensive story for SNU in the first, gained 14-yards on his feet to begin the drive. On the next play, Wardlaw threw a beautiful 29-yard pass downfield to Josh Woods, who brought it down with ease at the Bacone 25 yard line. Again, however, SNU was forced to settle for a field goal and Brock nailed the 43-yard attempt to put the Storm ahead 16-14 with 13:33 remaining in the third quarter.

SNU’s defense held the Warriors in their own end on their first possession of the half, with Brad Clark batting a pass down on second down to keep Bacone deep in their own territory. Bacone punted the ball away, and SNU’s Brooks was face-masked on the return, tacking an extra 15-yards onto the end of the play.

Wardlaw found Smith on the left side of the field to begin the drive, and he battled to gain seven-yards with defenders attempting to pull him down from all sides. Perkins gained yardage on his feet on the next play, picking up nine to give the Storm a first down, and Wardlaw advanced the ball for another first down on the next play, picking up ten-yards.

SNU went to the air again on the following play, as Wardlaw connected with Woods just one yard outside the Bacone end zone. The strong Storm drive ended two plays later, when Wardlaw faked the QB option and threw to Travis Boyd in the end zone for one-yard touch down pass. Brock’s extra point gave the Storm a 23-14 advantage over the Warriors with 10:04 to play in the third.

Picking up where they left off, the Storm defense shut down the Warriors offense deep in their own end once again. Combining for a huge sack on third down, Dante’ Campbell and Dillon Brumbaugh brought down Walls for a loss of five, forcing Bacone to punt the ball away once again.

Back to receive the kick was Brooks, and great blocking from SNU opened a huge hole in the middle. Brooks broke free down the left sideline, gaining 46-yards on the return to give the Storm great field position. Wardlaw found Smith open in the end zone on the first play of the drive for a six-yard touchdown completion. Another PAT from Brock gave SNU a 30-14 lead with 8:23 remaining in the quarter.

Campbell picked up with second sack of the night on the Warriors first snap of their next possession, causing a ten-yard loss. Bacone could not make up the yardage, and they got set to punt five plays later. The snap went over the punters head, and he fell on the ball at the Bacone 34 yard line where SNU would take over.

The Storm threatened once again on the possession, with a ten-yard pass to Perkins on the second play of the drive, followed by a four-yard pass completion to Smith. It was Perkins, once again, who gained yardage for SNU, picking up 11-yards on the ground for another first down. Wardlaw stepped into the end zone two plays later, giving the Storm their third unanswered scoring drive of the half with 4:12 remaining in the third. Brock’s extra point was good, and SNU took a commanding 37-14 lead.

The Warriors were forced to punt once again following another unsuccessful possession, but SNU lost the ball on their next offensive possession, fumbling the ball on the second play of the drive. Bacone was shut down once again on their next possession, turning the ball over downs.

SNU began moving the ball down the field with the third quarter winding down, pushing the ball to the Bacone 40 yard line before time ran out. The fourth quarter began, and the Storm picked up where they left off.

Wardlaw found Woods, completing a 12-yard pass for a first down to put the Storm in scoring position. Perkins pushed the ball five yards further on the next play, and Wardlaw connected with Brooks next for a 21-yard completion ended with Brooks fumbling the ball just as he outstretched for the end zone. Several piled onto Brooks, but the ball popped through the pile and into the hands of SNU’s Smith for the Storm touchdown. Brock’s extra point attempt split the uprights once again, and SNU went ahead 44-14 with 13:58 remaining in the game.

The Storm defense came up with another stop, and SNU’s offense widened the gap even more on their next possession. Moving the ball out of their end on the ground, SNU began their scoring drive strong. Wardlaw went in the air after gaining a first down of his own on the ground, connecting with Woods for a 23-yard completion.

Tyler Wegner picked up eight-yards for the Storm, and Wardlaw found Travis Boyd in the air with a ten-yard completion to give SNU another first down. Taking advantage of the tired Warriors defense, the Storm went in the air once again, as Wardlaw completed a nine-yard pass to Zach Turpin to move the ball inside Bacone’s ten yard line. Wegner gave the Storm another touchdown with a nine-yard run into the end zone with 7:42 to play in the game. Brock added another PAT, for the Storm’s 37th unanswered point of the half, giving them a 50-14 advantage over the Warriors.

After a strong second half effort defensively, holding Bacone scoreless through the third quarter, the Warriors finally broke the dry spell, scoring a touchdown and tacking on an extra point with 3:43 remaining in the game, and the Storm led 50-21.

SNU was forced to punt the ball away on the next drive, and the Warriors pounded the ball into the Storm end zone with three plays. The 67-yard touchdown pass from Walls to Stanley Johnson came with 1:46 to play in the game. Bacone followed with a successful two-point conversion, making the score 50-29 with SNU on top.

The Storm would ice the game away, taking the 21-point lead over the Warriors after a solid second half performance on both sides of the ball.

Individually, Perkins led the way rushing with 70 yards on 14 carries. Brady Wardlaw finished the game 24-of-40, for 207 yards in the air with four touchdowns. He also picked up 46-yards on his feet, running the ball 11 times.

Jacob Smith led the way with seven receptions for 36-yards, followed by Kevin Brooks with six receptions for 40-yards. Josh Woods also picked up 79-yards for the Storm on three receptions.

Defensively, Dante’ Campbell had a team high 11 tackles, adding two sacks. Codey Zickefoose added eight tackles, and Luke Olson and Dillon Brumbaugh finished with six a piece.

(BETHANY, Okla.)---After a thrilling win two weekends ago at home over Bethel, Kansas, the Crimson Storm fell back to earth with a disappointing loss to Nazarene rival, Olivet, last Saturday on the road.

Despite breaking 20 offensive records, the Crimson Storm was not able to stop the Tigers attack, giving up a school record 56-points in a 56-35 loss. The Storm has little time to lick their wounds as Bacone comes calling today. Today is the Central States Football League opener for both teams and it will be crucial for SNU to erase last week’s loss and get back on track this evening.

Bacone is 0-3 on the year after losing last weekend to Haskell Indian Nations at home, 35-17. Thus far this year, Bacone has recorded losses to Howard Payne (56-7) and Louisiana College (59-21). All-time, SNU and Bacone have met seven times, with the Crimson Storm holding a slight edge of 4-3.

Last year, Bacone stole a win in the final seconds in Muskogee, winning 31-30 on a late touchdown. SNU is 3-1 against the Warriors all-time here at the SNU stadium.

With Northwestern Oklahoma ineligible to win the CSFL regular season crown, the favorite is #8 Langston. But, it’s still anybody’s title to win as of today as the CSFL regular season gets underway from Bethany.

To view a statistical comparison of the two teams, click here...

SNU vs. Bacone

To view today's game day program, click here...

Game Day Program

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Live Stats

Live Audio

(ALVA, Okla.)---The fourth week's report for the Central States Football League has been released. The report ranks the team and individual players in each category, plus has the Players of the Week selections and current CSFL standings.

SNU's Kevin Brooks earned CSFL Offensive Player of the Week honors after setting a variety of records in SNU's loss on Saturday to Olivet Nazarene. 

CSFL Report #4

(BETHANY, Okla.)---Southern Nazarene University freshman wide receiver, Kevin Brooks, was named the Central States Football League Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. 

Brooks had a record setting day on Saturday in SNU's 56-35 loss to Olivet Nazarene, catching a school record 13 passes for a school record 323 yards with three touchdowns. Brooks had an impressive 480 yards of all-purpose yards on the game, adding 152 yards on kick returns to his receiving totals. His 480 yards of all-purpose yardage and 152 yards of kick-off return yards are also school records.

 

(BOURBONNAIS, Ill.)---The Crimson Storm football team had a rough day on Saturday, losing to Nazarene rival, Olivet, 56-35 at Olivet. Following their emotional win last Saturday night over Bethel College, the Crimson Storm struggled to ever get things going against the Tigers on Saturday and fell to 2-2 on the year.

Box Score

SNU started the game off with a bang, scoring two minutes into the game when Brady Wardlaw connected with Kevin Brooks on a 53-yard touchdown strike to give SNU a quick 7-0 lead with 12:58 on the clock in the first quarter.

Olivet wasted little time responding, racking up a 12-play, 78-yard drive that spanned 4:20, cutting the SNU lead to 7-6 with 8:24 to play in the first. ONU’s PAT attempt failed, leaving SNU with a slim one-point advantage.

The Tigers first touchdown proved to be a catalyst for the ONU offense as Olivet would post three more scores, taking a 28-7 lead with 2:00 to play before halftime. SNU trimmed the Tigers lead to 28-14 as Wardlaw and Brooks against hooked up, this time from 74-yards, cutting the ONU lead to 28-14 with 1:19 to play before halftime.

The Tigers nearly added a touchdown before the half, but SNU shut the door as time expired, holding Olivet up at the one-yard line.

Unfortnately for SNU, the Tigers took less than a minute to score starting the fourth as Sam Smidt connected with Andrew Butler from 36-yards out after an SNU turnover extended Olivet’s lead to 35-14 with 14:03 to play in the third.

Olivet would go up 42-14 midway through the third, but SNU got back onto the scoreboard late in the third when Wardlaw threw his third touchdown pass of the game, this time finding Derick Perkins on an eight-yard strike to cut the ONU lead to 42-21 with 2:23 left in the third.

Olivet again added a quick score to start the fourth, extending their advantage to 49-21, but Wardlaw made it four touchdown passes on the day, finding Brooks for his third receiving touchdown at the 10:27 mark of the fourth. This time, Wardlaw and Brooks connected from 20-yards to put the ONU lead at 49-28.

ONU added one more score with 8:34 to play and SNU would add one more before time expired as Wardlaw threw his fifth touchdown pass of the game, this time finding Jacob Smith on a 13-yard pass to trim the final score to 56-35 in favor of Olivet.

The story for SNU was turnovers as the Crimson Storm finished with seven in the game, five of which were interceptions thrown by Wardlaw. SNU actually lost four fumbles, but did manage to recover two of those fumbles.

As a team, SNU amassed 486 yards of total offense in the loss, but only 17 of those yards were on the ground. Olivet finished with a near school record of 625 yards of total offense (226 rushing, 399 passing).

Individually, Perkins led SNU in rushing with 19 yards on seven carries. Wardlaw finished the day 27-of-46 for 456 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions. Wardlaw was also sacked five times. Wardlaw’s 456 yards of passing shattered his school record of 373, which he set last weekend.

Kevin Brooks had a record setting day, catching a school record 13 passes for a school record 323 yards with three touchdowns. Brooks had an impressive 480 yards of all-purpose yards on the game, adding 152 yards on kick returns to his receiving totals. His 480 yards of all-purpose yardage and 152 yards of kick-off return yards are also school records. Jacob Smith added five catches for 57 yards and Marcus Jenkins and Gabe John had two catches.

Defensively, Codey Zickefoose had a team high eleven tackles. Nate Cotton and Kurt Nollan each finished with six tackles apiece. Trey Falkner added two sacks and Garry Minifee had a sack as well.

(ALVA, Okla.)---The third week's report for the Central States Football League has been released. The report ranks the team and individual players in each category, plus has the Players of the Week selections and current CSFL standings.

SNU had a big week in the conference, as quarterback Brady Wardlaw was named the CSFL Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for a school record 373 yards in SNU's wins on Saturday. 

SNU's Ryan Brock earned CSFL Special Teams Player of the Week and was the NAIA National Player of the Week after hitting 4-of-4 field goals, including a 46-yarder and the game winning 37-yarder with no time left.

SNU is off to a 2-1 start and will travel to Olivet Nazarene for a Saturday after game in Illinois. The Storm had an unforgettable win on Saturday at home, downing Bethel College of Kansas 21-19 at home in the College Fanz Game of the Week.

CSFL Report #3

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The third installment of the 2009 NAIA National Football Players of the Week were announced today (Sept. 21) and Ryan Brock of Southern Nazarene (Okla.) was named NAIA Special Teams Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 14-20. These winners were chosen out of a pool of player of the week performers among 10 conferences and independents.

Brock, a 6-0, 161 lbs., senior kicker from Bethany, Okla., was 4-for-4 in field goal attempts in the 21-19 home win over Bethel (Kan.) last Saturday. His 37-yarder with no time left on the clock was the game-winner. He added kicks of 46 yards, 32 and 28. As the one doing the kick-offs, Ryan averaged 62.4 yards on five boots. His 1.3 field goals per game ranks him fifth in the country. He was 0-for-3 on field goal attempts heading into the contest.

Brock’s four field goals on Saturday was a school record for most field goals made in a game.

Southern Nazarene is off to a 2-1 start thus far this season and will travel to Illinois this weekend for a game against sister-Nazarene rival, Olivet.

To view the complete NAIA winners, click here… 
NAIA Player of the Week winners 

To view the NAIA national statistical leaders, click here… 
NAIA National Statistic Leaders

(BETHANY, Okla.)---Southern Nazarene University sophomore quarterback, Brady Wardlaw, and senior kicker, Ryan Brock, have each earned Central States Football League Player of the Week honors it was announced on Monday. 

Wardlaw, a sophomore from Okeene, Oklahoma, was the CSFL Offensive Player of the Weekd after throwing for a school record 373 yards in SNU's 21-19 win over Bethel College of Kansas on Saturday night.  Wardlaw was 26-of-42 passing with one touchdown.

Brock, a senior from Bethany, was the CSFL Special Teams Player of the Week after going 4-for-4 on field attempts, which included a 46-yarder and the game winning 37-yard field goal with no time on the clock.  Despite terrible field conditions, Brock hit field goals from 46, 37, 32, and 28 yards.

SNU is 2-1 on the year and will head to Illinois to take on sister-Nazarene rival, Olivet, on Saturday afternoon.

(Bethany, Okla.)---Ryan Brock's 37-yard field goal with no time on the clock sealed an unforgettable win for the Crimson Storm football team on Saturday night at the SNU Stadium.  With Brock's field goal, SNU picked up a 21-19 win over Bethel, Kansas on the 10th anniversary of Crimson Storm football.  With the victory, Southern Nazarene improves to 2-1 on the year.

Box Score

As the moisture-laden clouds fled the warm September sky this evening the Southern Nazarene University football team took the field looking for their first home win of the season. The Crimson Storm faced the Bethel College Threshers across the football.

Winning the toss, SNU elected to kick off in the first half, with kicker Ryan Brock sending the ball 60 yards to the Bethel return man, who ran for 15 yards before being corralled out of bounds at the Bethel 25. The first series for the Threshers began with a few ineffectual plays before a 14-yard pass gained them their first 1st down of the game. Strong SNU defense continued to stifle the Bethel running game, forcing them to punt from the 48-yard line. SNU’s Kevin Brooks returned the punt for 16 yards to the 33-yard line before a holding penalty on the Storm brought the ball back to the SNU 23.

On their opening drive of the game the Storm showed their shotgun-based offense well, completing a 22-yard pass from Brady Wardlaw to Josh Woods, gaining a first down and putting SNU on the 42 yard line. Short yardage gains slowly but surely furthered the SNU drive, gaining another first down on a 5-yard run by Derick Perkins. A bare two plays later the Storm again pulled out the big guns, with Wardlaw slinging a 21-yard pass to hit Jacob Smith on the Bethel 31 yard line on an excellently run route. The high-energy offense that had moved the Storm down the field in such excellent fashion seemed to sputter and die, bringing about a 46-yard field goal attempt. Brock punched it straight through the up-rights to put the Crimson Storm up 3-0.

An off sides penalty on the resulting kick-off pushed the SNU special teams back to the 25 yard line and forced them to run down the field again after a touchback on the first kick. However, Brocks oft-used leg proved its admirable strength as he again put it out the back of the end zone.

After a strong showing on their first series of the game, the SNU defense again took the field. An 8-yard run and two incomplete passes later, the Bethel punter was again called upon to kick the ball away.

An excellent return from Brooks on the punt was brought back to the SNU 31 by an illegal block in the back. The first two plays of the drive gave high yields: the first a pass from Wardlaw to Woods for 19 yards and a first down, and the second a pass from Wardlaw to Brooks for 10 yards and another first down. As if to take a break, the next play was a run for 4 yards by Perkins before another pass to Brooks gained 10 more yards and yet another first down. Operating from the Bethel 26 yard line, the SNU offense again ran into trouble, reaching fourth down on the 19-yard line. Going for it on fourth down, an incomplete pass turned the ball over on downs.

Taking over on their own 19 yard line, the Threshers again ran into the swarming SNU run blitz, losing yards immediately before managing to mount a successful run play. Strong tackles by Trey Falkner, Dewayne Ikner, and Codey Zickefoose again forced Bethel to punt.

Starting their drive on their own 40-yard line, the Crimson Storm could not manage to put together any kind of offense, and had Zach Turpin punt the ball away.

Bethel received the ball with a fair catch on their 28-yard line with 30 seconds to play in the first quarter. Three very long passing plays in a row all fell incomplete, which again brought out the Bethel punter.

The first quarter expired on the punt, putting the Storm at their 34-yard line. On the very first play of the second quarter a soaring pass over the middle found Jacob Smith streaking down between the Bethel safeties, bouncing off one hit and spinning around another to find the open field and turning on the afterburners, taking it to the house for SNU’s first touchdown. A total of 66 yards were covered on the play.  SNU led 10-0 with 14:50 to play in the second quarter.

The subsequent kick off was returned for a large gain before a holding penalty on the Threshers moved it back to the 20-yard line. A pass play over the middle gave the Threshers their second first down of the game, but a penalty on the following play pushed them back again to their own 25 yard line. Two incomplete passing plays left the Bethel squad needing a long passing play on third down. A smothering blitz by the Storm hurried the Thresher quarterback into a short toss, which was quickly tracked down, leaving Bethel again with little option but to punt.

SNU started the next drive on their own 23-yard line after yet another penalty on the return. The muddy field frustrated the SNU attempts at running, and a sack brought about third and long. Off-setting penalties caused the down to be re-played. Defensive pass interference gave the Crimson Storm the first down they had been looking for, moving them up to the 36-yard line. The Bethel pass rush showed their first hints of strength as they buried Wardlaw in the muddy turf at the 29-yard line. A short pass play moved SNU into a third down and 13 situation that a pass play down the sideline was not enough to escape.

The following punt was bobbled on the return, with the ball bouncing out of bounds at the Bethel 27 yard line. A 6 yard run and a 7 yard pass gained the Threshers another first down before they called for a timeout.

The Bethel offense continued with their new approach of short, quick passing plays, moving their way up the field, gaining two more first downs before a holding call put them 20 yards from the next first down marker. A big pass over the middle moved the Threshers to within 7 yards of a first down. A run up the middle put them within a single yard, and a rare side-line warning penalty gave Bethel a new set of downs on the SNU 23 yard line.

The Threshers struggled to convert there with their excellent field position, finding themselves going for it on fourth down and inches. A bobbled reception, which actually may have bounced off the back of a diving SNU defender, gave the Threshers first down and goal. The very next play the Bethel quarter back ran the ball in for a touchdown, putting the Threshers on the scoreboard with 1:32 left in the half. The extra point, however, was missed. The new score: SNU 10 – Bethel 6.

A pooch kick on the kickoff put the Crimson Storm on their own 34 yard line with 1:28 left in the half. A ten yard pass over the middle to Gabe John moved the Storm down the field to the Thresher 48 yard line and gained them a quick first down. A penalty, however, moved the Storm back into their own territory. An incomplete pass on the next play brought about third down with 17 to go, 41 seconds left in the half. Another incomplete pass forced SNU to punt the ball with 36 seconds remaining.

Yet another penalty on special teams, this one a facemask on the tackle, gave the Threshers decent field position at the 37 yard line. A defensive pass interference called on the Storm gave Bethel another first down and moved them up to the 45-yard line. The Threshers threatened to score on the last play of the half as a long pass play was run by the receiver down to the 10 yard line before being brought down by Jermaine Mowarin to end the first half with the score 10-6, SNU leading.

SNU received the ball to start the second half, with the kick off being returned 21 yards to the SNU 26. A screen pass out wide to the left was moved 4 yards by Brooks, but the next two plays resulted in incomplete passes, forcing the Storm to punt. A fair catch was called to give Bethel the ball on their own 39-yard line.

Mowarin pulled down the running back on an unsuccessful option play which was followed up by a sack delivered by Brad Clark, making it third down and 18. Admirable pressure on the quarterback forced a bad throw from the Thresher quarterback, bringing the Bethel punter onto the field. The Thresher special teams downed the ball on the 28 yard line, but a holding penalty on the Storm pushed them back to their 18.

Half of the penalty yards were recovered on the very next play with an off sides call on the defense. A mishandled snap, however, on first down placed the Storm on their own 19. Things began to look up as a mid-range throw from Wardlaw to Jacob Smith for 13 yards gained a first down. A fumble on the following play was recovered by the Threshers, which gave them excellent field position on the SNU 38 yard line.

The SNU defense, led by a tackle in the backfield by Kurt Nollan brought about fourth down and 10, on which Bethel decided to go for it. The sprinting wide receiver on the resulting reverse play was hunted down and tackled to allow the Storm to take over on downs.

Beginning on their own 35-yard line the SNU squad quickly gained a first down with a big catch over the middle by Jacob Smith for 11 yards, moving the chains up to the Bethel 49. Defensive pass interference and an immediate off sides call on the Threshers moved the Storm up to the 32-yard line. Yet another defensive pass interference called gave SNU another new set of downs and the ball on the Bethel 24 yard line. Brooks busted a rare run into the open field to move the ball down to the Bethel 10 yard line.

As per their pattern shown so far in the game, the Storm struggled to put together any sort of effective offense near their opponent’s goal line, being forced to attempt the field goal. Brock punched it in from 32 yards to put SNU up 13-6.

A 22-yard return on the subsequent kickoff started the Bethel drive on their 26 yard line, where strong play at the line of scrimmage by Dante Campbell and Garry Minifee forced a three and out possession.

So, starting on their 20-yard line, the Crimson Storm immediately moved backwards, as Fafa Alce was hit in the backfield. However, a pass from Wardlaw to Brooks gained 13 yards and set up the quarterback sneak that gained the first down on the next play. In a couple of rare run plays that gained more than a few positive yards, Alce gained first 7 yards and then 4 more for a first down, putting the ball on the SNU 42. A pass from Wardlaw to Woods won the Storm 11 more yards and a new set of downs as the third quarter expired.

The fourth quarter began with the Storm on their own 49-yard line, but a holding call on the first play moved them back 10 yards and brought back a huge gain down the left sideline. The SNU offense went right back at it on the next play, with Wardlaw and Brooks connecting for 47 yards to move the Storm down to the Bethel 14. Operating in the red zone, SNU again failed to convert in three downs and so Brock again put the ball through the uprights to widen the Storm lead to 10. (16-6)

The shallow kickoff was returned to the 37-yard line and then moved to the 42 yard line as a result of an SNU special teams penalty, this one offsides on the kick off. A holding penalty, this one on the Threshers, on the next play moved Bethel back to their own 32-yard line, making it second down and 20. The Thresher offense was able to move the ball down the field on a couple of short throws, eventually ending up on the SNU 29, where the Storm called for time out.

The resumption of play saw a short gain by the Threshers and another timeout, this one from the other side of the field, as each team found themselves at a crucial point in the game. On the first play out from the timeout the Thresher quarter back threw a picture perfect pass to his wide receiver running a fade route to the back left corner of the end zone, gaining Bethel 6 more points. The extra point was again missed, making the score 16-12, SNU leading.

The kick off was received by Alce, who managed to return the ball to the 35-yard line before being brought down. Two short gains on runs brought about third and 6 where Wardlaw aired it out to Travis Boyd for 34 yards, moving the Storm down to the Bethel 28. A personal foul on the following play backed SNU up 15 yards, making it second down and 25. The very next play, Wardlaw, scrambling to his right, found Jacob Smith for 32 yards and a first down, ball on the Bethel 10. That play, giving Wardlaw 342 passing yards, gained the junior quarterback the SNU passing record. Several attempts to push the ball into the end zone failed, including the effort on fourth down, so the Threshers took over literally on their own goal line.

On the second down of the Bethel possession Brad Clark burst into the backfield and brought down the quarterback for a safety, putting the score at 18-12.

Receiving the punt, the Storm began their drive on the SNU 40. Wardlaw, after some impressive pocket acrobatics, completed a pass to Perkins for 11 yards and a first down. The Bethel defense, on the next two plays, jumped off sides, giving the Storm another first down and putting the Storm on the Bethel 35. The next four plays failed to gain significant yardage and SNU turned the ball over on downs at the 27-yard line.

The Bethel drive began with two lack-luster plays before a fingertip catch by a Thresher wide receiver moved the chains and kept the Bethel hopes alive. With 2:00 left in the game, the Threshers found themselves on the SNU 48, fourth down and 1. The Bethel quarterback, after escaping the grasping arms of SNU’s Dante Campbell in the backfield scrambled for the first down.

With only :56 seconds left in the game the Threshers again faced fourth down, this time with nine yards needed to move the chains. A false start didn’t do much for their chances as it backed them up five more yards, creating fourth and 14. The Bethel offense converted a long pass play for the first down with :47 seconds on the clock as the SNU fans groaned in disappointment. With the ball on the SNU 33 the Threshers again converted on a long pass play, moving down to the SNU 7 with :30 seconds left to play. Time out was called.

The first play coming out of the timeout was another fade route, this one to the back right corner, which was pulled in for a Bethel touchdown, tying the game at 18-18. Using a different kicker, the Threshers went up by one point on the extra point with :24 seconds left in the game, 19-18. 

The SNU stands were silent as the Threshers attempted to squib kick the ball, but the front line of Storm blockers fell on it immediately as Brandon Broadus secured the football. SNU took over on the Bethel 43 with :22 seconds left in the game, giving SNU fans some hope for a possible comeback.  Wardlaw immediately completed an 18-yard pass to Brooks to move SNU to the 25 yard line. With only :14 seconds remaining, SNU attemped to get one more play in before calling their final timeout, but struggled to get off a quick snap.  With the time winding down Wardlaw, quite conceivably making the play of the game, grounded the ball to stop the clock with :1 second remaining.

Brock lined up for a 42-yard field goal attempt to win the game. The snap, the hold, the kick was up…no good! The Bethel sideline erupted, the Storm bleachers moaned, everyone ignoring the yellow penalty flag floating down in the midst of the tumult. The Threshers were called for a delay of game, moving the ball 5 yards closer and giving Brock another shot! This time the snap was clean, the hold firm, and the kick strong and true, with absolutely no time left on the clock, Brock’s fourth field goal put the Storm up 21-19 to seal the game!

Offensively, Brady Wardlaw led the way and, as already mentioned, broke the SNU passing record tonight with a total of 373 yards. Derick Perkins was the leading rusher, though the muddy field conditions limited him to 25 yards on 12 carries. Kevin Brooks fell 1 reception short of the SNU receiving record, catching 11 balls for 113 yards. Jacob Smith proved to be the biggest gaining receiver though, catching 6 for 145 yards and the Storm’s only touchdown.

Also already mentioned, Ryan Brock was the team’s leading scorer, with 12 points in 4 field goals. On the defensive side of the ball, Dante Campbell led the team with 10 tackles.

09.17.2009 – College Fanz Sports Network, the world’s largest online college sports community launched by ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen, will feature Bethel College at Southern Nazarene University in the College Fanz NAIA Football Game of the Week this Saturday, September 19th, at 6 p.m. Central/7 p.m. Eastern, in a live TV webcast at http:/www.CollegeFanz.com.The colorful College Fanz Van arrives in Bethany, Oklahoma on Friday afternoon, to provide live, on-site coverage, including the pre-game, half-time, and post-game shows from on campus. The inaugural season of the College Fanz NAIA Football Game of the Week delivers live video stream TV coverage of games each weekend throughout the 2009 season. The full schedule is available at http://www.collegefanz.com/gd-schedule.jspa.

Rasmussen, who founded ESPN in 1979, is the CEO and founding partner of College Fanz. He will be in attendance at this Saturday’s game to meet with fanz before and during the game at Southern Nazarene University Stadium.

Veteran NAIA sports commentator Jason Dannelly will be the color analyst for the Bethel vs. Southern Nazarene contest. Dannelly is the Director of College Relations for College Fanz and producer of the College Fanz NAIA Football Game of the Week.

Bethel College opened the 2009 season last week with a 45-20 loss at #15-ranked Ottawa (KS) University. Last season, the Threshers, under head coach Mike Moore, put together a 6-4 record.

Southern Nazarene’s Crimson Storm started their 2009 campaign with a 42-28 at St. Mary’s (KS) on September 5th, but lost to Mary Hardin-Baylor last week in their home opener, 42-7. Last season, head coach Mike Cochran’s squad finished 3-8.

Saturday’s contest is a historic one for Southern Nazarene, as they celebrate 10 years of football against their very first gridiron opponent. The Crimson Storm and Bethel met in Southern Nazarene’s first-ever football game back on September 9, 2000, at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City before 8,000 fans. The Threshers won that first game, 24-6. All time, the two schools have met three times, with Bethel holding a 2-1 advantage. Last season, Southern Nazarene traveled to North Newton, KS, where Bethel won a come-from-behind thriller 25-24.

College Fanz features video stream TV broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week with programming that includes “The College Fanz Report,” as well as highlights and features covering a wide-range of college sports, student-athletes, coaches, rivalries, mascots, marching bands, fanz, and alumni. All College Fanz broadcasts, powered by Livestream, will be available at http://www.CollegeFanz.com.

About College Fanz:
Launched September 7, 2007, 28 years to the day that Bill Rasmussen’s ESPN dream went on the air for the first time, College Fanz Sports Network is the world’s largest online college sports community, with students, alumni, and other fanz of college sports. College Fanz boasts over 22,000 web pages devoted to more than 1,450 colleges and universities competing in over 225,000 NCAA and NAIA athletic events. Additional information is available at http://www.CollegeFanz.com.

(BETHANY, Okla.)---After a solid start to the 2009 season two weeks ago, SNU struggled last Saturday night in their home opener on a soggy, turnover filled game against NCAA Division III power, Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Crimson Storm fell behind 28-0 after the first quarter of play and could never recover, losing 42-7.

While their loss to Mary Hardin-Baylor won’t hurt the Storm in the long run, considering it was a highly ranked NCAA team, the Crimson Storm will need to learn some lessons if they want to compete for a conference crown and first-ever NAIA Playoff berth.

Saturday was a tough night for SNU, not just on the scoreboard, but in the training room as well. Senior running back, Branden Smith, suffered a broken collarbone and will likely miss the rest of the season. There’s a possibility Smith may return late in the year, but that is still unknown. Smith is SNU’s second all-time leading rusher.

Thus far this year, SNU has been fairly balanced offensively, rushing for 217 yards while passing for 379. Smith is SNU’s leading rusher, with 98 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns.

Quarterback Brady Wardlaw is SNU’s second leading rusher with 67 yards gained on 34 carries. Wardlaw is also 40-of-70 for 379 yards passing with three touchdowns to only one interception. Wardlaw is completing 57.1% of his passes and has an efficiency rating of 113.91.

SNU’s top receivers so far is the tandem of Kevin Brooks and Jacob Smith, who each have eight catches each on the year. Gabe John follows with four.

Defensively, a pair of freshman linebackers has led the way for the Storm. True freshman, Codey Zickefoose, leads SNU with 21 tackles and two forced fumbles, while redshirt freshman, Dante’ Campbell follows with 17 tackles, one sack, one interception, and five pass deflections. Sophomore safety Luke Olson also has 17 tackles for SNU.

Tonight, SNU will look to get back on track, hosting Bethel College of Kansas. The Threshers lost to the nation’s 15th-ranked team on Saturday, falling to Ottawa University of Kansas in Ottawa, 45-20. The game was tied early on, 7-7, with 6:27 to play in the first quarter before Ottawa scored 28 straight points to take a 35-7 halftime lead.

Statistically, Bethel amassed 303 yards of total offense (117 rushing and 186 passing), while allowing close to 600 yards of total offense by Ottawa. The Braves collected 575 yards of total offense against Bethel, mostly through the air. For the game, Ottawa collected 520 yards of passing offense.

Individually, Bethel running quarterback, Garrett Hiebert, led the way in rushing, collecting 100 yards on 16 carries with two rushing touchdowns in Saturday’s loss. Hiebert also completed 13-of-29 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown and had one interception. Bethel’s leading receiver on Saturday was Lee Voth-Gaeddert, who collected five catches for 54 yards with one score.

Defensively, the tandem of Chris Bloss and Andrew Wiederholt each finished with nine tackles apiece.

Tonight is a historic game for SNU as the Crimson Storm will celebrate ten years of football against the team they began football against ten years ago. SNU and Bethel met in SNU’s first ever gridiron game back on September 9th, 2000 at Taft Stadium in front of 8,000 fans. The Threshers won the game, 24-6.

All-time, SNU and Bethel have met three times, with the Threshers winning two-of-three meetings.

Last year, SNU traveled to N. Newton, and Bethel won a come-from-behind thriller, 25-24.

In last year’s meeting, Bethel held a 10-7 halftime advantage at Bethel, but SNU rallied to take a 24-10 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, SNU squandered their two-touchdown lead and the Threshers scored 15 unanswered points to snatch a 25-24 win.

Bethel’s Braden Dragomir kicked a 35-yard field goal with 1:07 to play in the game to secure the one-point victory for the Tresher’s.

SNU's game can be heard live on the Crimson Storm Broadcasting Network by clicking here...Live Audio

The College Fanz network will also be in town to stream the game live via video.  To access the College Fanz network, click here...

College Fanz Live Video

The game will also have live stats, to follow those, click here...

Live Stats

To view Saturday's game day program, click here...

Game Day Program

(ALVA, Okla.)---The second week's report for the Central States Football League has been released.  The report ranks the team and individual players in each category, plus has the Players of the Week selections and current CSFL standings.

SNU is off to a 1-1 start and will host Bethel College of Kansas on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. at the SNU Stadium.  SNU defeated St. Mary of Kansas two weeks ago and lost to NCAA Division III power, Mary Hardin-Baylor last Saturday, 42-7. 

CSFL Report #2

(Bethany, Okla.)---The Southern Nazarene University Crimson Storm Football team moved to 1-1 on the season in their first home game with a soggy loss to the Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders. The final score was Crimson Storm 7, Crusaders 42.

Box Score

Little can be said about the opening 7 minutes of the 1st quarter. SNU struggled to string together more than one gainful play and, in their first two drives, were forced to punt after three plays. In BOTH of those punts, the snap sailed high over the punter’s head. Starting from deep in SNU territory, the Crusaders scored quick touchdowns on both of those early drives.
Another short SNU possession, and another lightning drive by the Mary Hardin-Baylor squad moved the score to 21-0.

With only 7:45 expired in the first quarter, the Crusaders kicked off after their third touchdown. After a 12 yard return by Dewayne Ikner, the Crimson Storm began their drive on the 20 yard line. Brady Wardlaw promptly rushed for 5 yards, moving SNU to the 25 yardline. A pass from Wardlaw to Gabe John gained 11 yards and an SNU 1st down. Just as the Storm offense appeared to regain their feet a fumble on a run play immediately returned the ball to Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Starting on the SNU 31, Crusader wide receiver Brian Scott gained 6 yards on a reverse that left the Storm defense moving the wrong direction. The Mary Hardin-Baylor running game continued to push the Storm defense back, moving the ball down to the SNU 15 and then to the 9 yard-line. The Crusaders punched it in once again to put Mary Hardin-Baylor up four touchdowns.

SNU received the kickoff, and began their drive on the SNU 20 after a fumble on the return. Two rushes straight up the middle gained the Storm another rare 1st down. A 12 yard pass from Wardlaw to John after a few ineffectual rushes moved the chains once again. Short yard rushes and a sack forced the Storm to punt once again.

The Crusaders, with a rare start in their own territory, could not manage to get anything going and were forced to punt without gaining a 1st down.

On the first play of the Storm’s subsequent drive, a play-action pass by Wardlaw was intercepted, bringing the Mary Hardin-Baylor offense back onto the field just as the 1st quarter ended.

The opening plays of the 2nd quarter found the Crusader offense on the SNU 37, rushing for first 6 yards and then 2 more. Bringing up a 4th down with 2 yards to go. An illegal procedure call against the Crusaders pushed them back 5 yards to the SNU 36. The subsequent punt resulted in a touchback.

The opening play of SNU’s drive saw a play-action pass from Wardlaw to Garrett Barnes for 39 yards and a first down. Two tackles for losses by the Mary Hardin-Baylor defense brought the Storm offense to 3rd down and 12. An ineffectual screen pass forced the SNU squad to punt.

A block in the back on the return placed the Crusaders at their own 6 yard line, the deepest field position they had faced so far. The SNU defense finally showed that they were capable of standing up to the Mary Hardin-Baylor running game, led by Adrian Valdes, who burst into the backfield to tackle the Crusader running back for a loss, forcing Mary Hardin-Baylor to punt from within their own end zone.

The Storm started on the Crusader 40 yard line, but were unable to move the ball more than 4 yards before punting once again. The SNU special teams squad downed the punt on the Crusader 7-yard line.

Mary Hardin-Baylor stuck to their run game, eventually busting free for a 25 yard run, moving the chains up to the Crusader 38 yard line. A play-action pass for 18 yards, and an immediate scramble for 22 yards by the Crusader quarterback, brought Mary Hardin-Baylor to the SNU 18 yard line. A fade route to the left-back corner of the end zone was called incomplete, bringing 4th down and the Crusader place kicker onto the field. The Mary Hardin-Baylor kicker pulled the ball to the left, missing the field goal.

The Crimson Storm took over on their own 20 yard line, running for 3 yards before a blitz from the Crusader defense sacked Wardlaw on the SNU 10 yard line. SNU was forced to punt from their own end zone.

The Mary Hardin-Baylor offense started from the SNU 40 yard line after a 13 yard return. A 4 yard pass play and a 15-yard penalty on the SNU defense put the ball on the Storm 21 yard line. Even as the Crusaders were poised to strike once again, SNU’s Jayson Walser recovered a fumbled snap.

Starting on their own 24 yard line, the Storm running game was immediately hit twice for losses, backing up to their own 17 before time on the half expired. After two quarters, the score was 28-0, Mary Hardin-Baylor leading.

The Crimson Storm kicked off to begin the second half. Fielded at the 1 yard line, the kick off was returned all the way to the SNU 45 yard line before kicker Ryan Brock made the tackle. The Crusaders barely stopped to take a breath before a pass to the Mary Hardin-Baylor tight end was run in for a touchdown. The score moved to 35-0, Crusaders leading, with only two minutes expired in the second half.

The sloppy Crusader kick off rolled out of bounds without being touched, putting the SNU offense at their own 40 yard line. The stifling Mary Hardin-Baylor defense once again forced the Storm to punt after three ineffectual plays.

After a very large return on the SNU punt, the Crusader offense continued to pound their way down the field as they had done all game long. The Crimson Storm defense seemed unable to keep the Crusaders from doing whatever they wanted, as the Mary Hardin-Baylor squad scored again to bring the score to 42-0.

The Storm gained significant yardage on a run by Wardlaw, gaining a first down and putting the ball on the SNU 45 yard line. Storm success stopped there, as they found themselves unable to convert on the next three downs. The SNU squad was forced to punt the ball away.

A fumble on the punt reception put the Crusaders on their own 30 yard line. After a false start penalty moved the Mary Hardin-Baylor offense back to their own 25, a fumble recovered by SNU’s Dante Campbell gave the Storm their best starting field position of the game.

SNU immediately began to move themselves backwards with a false start penalty, making it 2nd down and 15 on the Crusader 30 yard line. The Storm offense was unable to capitalize on the excellent field position, missing the 45 yard field goal attempt.

Taking over on their own 28 yard line, the Mary Hardin-Baylor offense moved the ball down the field with apparent ease, the SNU defense unable to stop the Crusader running game. After 6 plays, all of them rushing plays, the Crusaders found themselves on the SNU 17 yard line. Three snaps latter, on 4th down and 3, the Crusaders converted for a first down. After a time out, the Crusader quarterback fumbled the ball on an option play, SNU player Richard Reed recovered.

Starting on their own 2, the Storm managed to move the ball to the 3 yard line before the 3rd quarter ended.

The 4th quarter opened with SNU on their own 3 yard line. A pass from Wardlaw to Josh Woods for 12 yards gained the Storm a first down and more breathing room as they moved away from their own end zone.

The following play, Wardlaw was forced to scramble as the blitz threatened to sack him, exemplary communication between quarter back and receiver resulted in a improvised passing play that moved the ball 26 yards to the SNU 45. The very next play, Wardlaw burst through the line and into the open field for an exceptionally large gain. Wardlaw continued to lead as he fired a 10 yard pass to tight end Travis Boyd for SNU’s first touchdown of the game. Ryan Brock tacked on the extra point, making the score 7-42.

The Crimson Storm attempt at an on-side kick failed to travel the required 10 yards before it was touched by the kicking team. Mary Hardin-Baylor took over with the ball at the SNU 34 yard line.

The Crusaders moved down the short field in a fashion familiar from their earlier drives, SNU managed to keep them from the end zone forcing the Crusaders to attempt a field goal. That attempt turned out to be a fake, though an unsuccessful one, as the Crusader ball carrier was brought down at the 25 yard line.

SNU took over with 10:30 left in the 4th quarter. A screen pass out to the left was carried for 32 yards by Fafa Alce. A quick pass over the middle from Wardlaw to Woods, once again moved the chains, putting the ball on the Crusader 20 yard line. A penalty and short yardage run plays once again brought SNU to 4th down and long. The Storm’s attempt to convert on 4th down was unsuccessful and Mary Hardin-Baylor took over at their own 21 yard line.

The SNU defense stifled the Crusader attempts at the run, and successfully defended the pass, forcing the Mary Hardin-Baylor offense to punt the ball.

After a punt out of bounds, the Storm started their drive on their own 24 yard. Wardlaw pushed the ball up the middle for 7 yards, followed by an 11 yard carry by Kevin Brooks to gain a 1st down for the Storm. Unable to continue to move the ball, SNU was once again forced to go for it on 4th down. On a busted play, Wardlaw managed to gain 4 yards, but fell 1 yard short, turning the ball over on downs with 3:45 left in the game.

A quick 1st down conversion extended the Crusader possession as they sought to stay in the middle of the field, eating up time on the clock. Leading 42-7, the Mary Hardin-Baylor squad managed to maintain control of the ball till only 51 seconds remained in the game.

The Crimson Storm took over on downs at their own 18 yards, but were unable to put anything together in the last minute of the game.

The Storm ended the game with 223 total yards of offense, 193 of which came through the air. SNU plays at home again next week, September 19, against Bethel, Kansas.

The Crimson Storm started the 2009 season on a strong note by rolling past the University of St. Mary last Saturday, 42-28. The game was not as close as the score would indicate as the Crimson Storm held a 42-14 lead with three minutes to play in the game. The Crimson Storm had two late turnovers in the waning minutes that St. Mary capitalized on and scored their final two touchdowns to cut the SNU margin of victory to two touchdowns.

Despite the usual bits of sloppiness that are associated with the first game of the year, Southern Nazarene indeed made a statement that last year's 3-8 record was a brief bump in the road on the SNU trail of ascension in the NAIA.

Mike Cochran and the Crimson Storm unveiled a new high-octane offense that indeed impressed in the season opener. SNU mustered 373 yards of total offense on 74 offensive plays, with a very balanced 187 yards of rushing and 186 yards of passing. The Storm's Branden Smith continued his stellar career by rushing for 83 yards on 15 carries and sophomore quarterback, Brady Wardlaw, ran the offense to perfection, connecting on 24-of-37 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Wardlaw also rushed for 25 yards on 12 carries and had a rushing touchdown. Kevin Brooks had a great day catching the ball; recording seven catches for 48 yards while Jacob Smith added six catches and Travis Boyd had three for 59 yards and one score.

While the new offense was indeed impressive, SNU's defense was also solid, forcing five turnovers, four of which were fumbles and the other an interception. Overall, SNU had 15 pass break-ups, five of which came from redshirt freshman linebacker, Dante' Campbell. Campbell added seven tackles and sack in his SNU debut. Freshman Codey Zickefoose was also outstanding, leading SNU with 12 tackles. Nate Cotton added tens stops, Luke Olson finished with eight, and Kurt Nollan added seven.

Tonight, SNU will face one of their biggest challenges in the ten-year history of SNU football. Mary Hardin-Baylor will play their first game of the year tonight after finishing 12-2 last season and advancing to the NCAA Division III Semifinals. Mary Hardin-Baylor is ranked highly in a variety of pre-season NCAA III polls, including being ranked #3 in the country in the D3football.com Pre-Season Top 25.

Last year, SNU and Mary Hardin-Baylor met for the first time in school history in Belton, Texas with the Cru winning on this exact date, September 12th, 30-7.

While a loss to a NCAA Division III power like Mary Hardin-Baylor would certainly not hurt the Crimson Storm in the long run, a win would be a monumental step for the Storm as they look toward a possible conference title and a first time berth in the NAIA National Playoffs.

Fans can hear Saturday's game live over the internet right here.  SNU Sports Information Interns, Foster Biggers and Josh Roebuck.  Click here to listen to the game.

Live Audio

Live statistics will also be provided for the game and can be found right here...

Live Statistics

For more information on Saturday's game, read the game day program by clicking here...

Saturday's Game Day Program

(ALVA, Okla.)---The first week's report for the Central States Football League has been released.  The report ranks the team and individual players in each category, plus has the Players of the Week selections and current CSFL standings.

SNU is off to a 1-0 start and will host NCAA Division III power, Mary Hardin-Baylor, on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. at the SNU Stadium.  SNU defeated St. Mary of Kansas last Saturday in Leavenworth, 42-28.  

CSFL Weekly Report #1

(LEAVENWORTH, Kan.)---The Crimson Storm football team won their season opener over St. Mary of Kansas on Saturday afternoon, 42-28, in Leavenworth.  SNU improves to 1-0 on the year. 

Box Score

The Crimson Storm looked good in their season opener, holding a 42-14 lead in the fourth quarter. 

SNU struck first on Saturday afternoon, scoring their first touchdown of the season at the 7:30 mark of the first half when Branden Smith scored on a two-yard touchdown run, capping a five play, 13 yard drive.  Ryan Brock tacked on the extra point to give SNU a 7-0 lead.

SNU led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, but St. Mary tied the game early in the second quarter when Kyle Jones scored on a two-yard rush to cap a 17-play, 94 yard drive, tying the game at 7-7 with 11:32 to play in the second quarter. 

The game remained tied at 7-7 heading into halftime.

The third quarter saw SNU begin to pull away.  At the 8:30 mark of the third, Branden Smith scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, scoring from seven yards out to give SNU a 13-7 lead.  Brock's extra point was no good.

The Storm made it a two touchdown lead at the 5:32 mark when Kevin Brooks took a pass from Brady Wardlaw 15-yards to the endzone to increase the Crimson Storm lead to 19-7.  Wardlaw then found Derick Perkins on the two-point conversion to increase the SNU advantage to 21-7.

To start the fourth quarter, SNU added another touchdown pass from Wardlaw; this time Wardlaw connected with Travis Boyd on a 44-yard touchdown pass to put SNU up 27-7.  Brock's extra point gave SNU a 28-7 lead with 14:48 to play in the game.

St. Mary made it a two touchdown game at the 9:30 mark, cutting the SNU lead to 28-14 on 24-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Robles to Frankie Walburn, but SNU wasted little time in responding, scoring a minute and a half later when Fafa Alce scored on a three-yard touchdown scamper to push the SNU lead back to three scores.  Brock's extra point made the score, SNU 35, St. Mary 14, with 8:08 to play.

SNU scored for the final time at the 6:45 mark as Wardlaw darted into the endzone on a seven-yard run.  Brock's extra point gave SNU a 42-14 lead.

St. Mary tacked on two late scores, but SNU held on for the 42-28 win.

Individually, Wardlaw finished the game 24-of-37 for 186 yards and two passing touchdowns.  Wardlaw added a 25 yards rushing on 12 carries with one touchdown.  Branden  Smith rushed for 78 yards on 15 carries with two scores and Jacob Smith rushed for 49 yards on five carries.  Alce added a rushing touchdown for SNU.

Kevin Brooks led the way in receptions for SNU, grabbing seven passes for 48 yards with one score.  Jacob Smith added six catches for 19 yards, and Travis Boyd and Garrett Barnes had three catches apiece.

Defensively, Codey Zickefoose led the way with 12 tackles.  Nate Cotton added ten stops with one forced fumble and Luke Olson finished with eight tackles.  Kurt Nollan and Dante Campbell each added seven tackles apiece.  Campbell had a big day for SNU, finishing with one sack, one interception, and five pass break-ups.  Morgan Christy and Keenon Allen each added five tackles.

As a team, SNU had an impressive 15 pass break-ups, along with two sacks, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries.  SNU also blocked a punt in the game.

 

 

 

 

Southern Nazarene University football is coming off the program’s first sub-.500 finish in school history in 2008. And while a 3-8 finish during the ’08 campaign was disappointing, solace can be taken in the fact that a young Crimson Storm squad saw five of their eight losses come in games in which they had the lead heading into the fourth quarter. With renewed optimism, SNU is looking to get back on the winning track in 2009 under fourth-year head coach, Mike Cochran.

Quarterback
After a year of inconsistency and change in the quarterback position, SNU will look for two solid returners to take the reins this season. Brady Wardlaw, who started in a few games for the Storm last year, will return for his sophomore season. Also returning will be junior, Matt Ligon, who had a promising spring season under center. The two QB’s are battling it out in practice for the starting spot, and SNU will look to both to guide the new Storm offense.

Backfield
The backfield will be strong for SNU this season, with their leading rusher, Brandon Smith, returning for his senior season. “Brandon has had three very good years here and he will add a lot as a senior running back. I think he will excel in the new offense that we put in,” coach Cochran said.
Complimenting Smith will be Fafa Alce, a sophomore running back who is very fast and will contribute a lot to the SNU running game this year. In addition to the two returners, the Storm will look to their younger players this season. “We have a very good class of young running backs, so people shouldn’t be surprised if they see a few of those players contributing early in the season,” Cochran explained.

Wide Receiver
Although there will be a few players returning from last years roster to fill the spot, SNU’s focus in recruiting for their 2009 campaign came in the wide receiver position. “We’ve got a great group this year. We have some strong returners that have played significantly, and we’ve added a very good group of young receivers as well,” Cochran said.
Gabe John and Josh Woods will be the two big returners from last season, and Garret Barnes, who transferred to SNU in the spring, will also join the roster for the fall after scoring three touchdowns in the spring game. In addition to the group of experienced returning receivers, SNU will look to senior, Jacob Smith, who has played running back in his previous three seasons, to make in impact on the outside. Also joining the roster will be a very talented group of young players that will contribute to the Storm offense immediately.

Tight End
Travis Boyd, a sophomore, will come in this season as the tight end for SNU. Boyd saw significant minutes last season, and after working very hard in the off-season, Cochran is excited to see what he will do for the offense this season.

Offensive Line
The most experienced group offensively for SNU, the offensive line, will return five familiar faces this season. Myron
McKinney, Billy Lucas, Chance Willard, Jerrod Gatz, and Aaron Elliott all played significant reps last year, will three of the five starting in almost every game. Other players who have developed will join the experienced group to form the o-line. “We’re going to have a solid group of offensive lineman,” Cochran said.

Defensive Line
Trey Falkner and Brad Clark, two starters from last year, will return this season and be joined by two other experienced transfers, Marcell Manccine and Eric Wooten. In addition to experience, SNU will look to the younger guys for development. “A good group of young defensive lineman will develop throughout the season and add a lot to our defense,” Cochran explained of his young group.

Linebacker
Although SNU will not return any inside linebackers, they will look for two talented players to step up and take to things quickly. Dante Campbell, a redshirt freshman from Yukon, Oklahoma, and transfer, Trey Caldwell. Both came from very strong high school programs, and they will bring a lot to the table at the inside linebacker position.
The Storm will return starter, Adrian Valdes, at the outside linebacker position in addition to adding Jared Szabad to the roster. “We will have a very athletic group in the linebacker position and that will allow us to put a lot of pressure on the offense,” Cochran explained.

Secondary
“The defensive secondary is probably the deepest position on the defensive end for us,” Cochran said. “We do return two starters, Luke Olson, and Kurt Nollan, at the safety spots. In addition, Dewayne Ikner, who is a transfer, will give us depth.”
Returning at corner back will be Nate Cotton, a returner who will be joined by transfers, and SNU will look for the new faces to get a lot of minutes early on.

Special Teams

The Storm will be well off in the kicking department this season, with Ryan Brock returning for his senior year. In his past three seasons, Brock has progressed and has been a key player for the Storm in clutch situations. However, SNU graduated their star punter, Peter Orth. Filling the position will be a young player, Zach Turpin, who will be relied on as a freshman to get the job done punting.

Wrap-Up
Despite a losing season last year, SNU is optimistic about the 2009 campaign. With a new offensive look and a host of new players added to the roster, Crimson Storm fans should have plenty to cheer about in ’09.
“The most exciting thing about this year is how well these guys have come together. They have bought in to who we are and what we’re about as a program, and as a university. Teams like that can really generate their own momentum, and that’s the feeling I get from this group,” Cochran said of the young team.

(BETHANY, OKLA.)---The Crimson Storm football team is picked to finish 4th in the pre-season Central States Football League poll released on Wednesday.  SNU picked up 28 votes, falling one shy of 3rd place Bacone.  SNU finished the 2008 season with a 3-8 record.

The Langston University Lions are favored as the top team in the 2009 Central States Football League, according to the preseason poll composed of the league’s coaches, sports information directors and selected members of the media.

Langston received seven of 11 first place votes and a majority of 40 total votes. Northwestern followed in second place with 33 total votes and four first place votes. Third and fourth place were just a vote a part, as Bacone College received a third place ranking with 29 votes, while Southern Nazarene had 28 votes and fell in fourth place.
Southwestern Assemblies of God University and Texas College rounded out the poll, in fifth and sixth place respectively.

For the 2009 season, six teams will compete for the crown and have full membership. Teams include: Bacone College, Langston University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Southern Nazarene, Southwestern Assemblies of God University and Texas College.

Langston won the league last season with a 4-0 conference mark, while Northwestern took the title in 2007. Texas College and Southern Nazarene were crowned as co-champions in 2006. Texas College and Langston University finished as co-champions in 2005. Northwestern Oklahoma State won the CSFL.  To view the poll, click below.

2009 CSFL Pre-Season Poll

 

(BETHANY, OKLA.)---Southern Nazarene University’s football team was featured today on the NewsOk website in Bob Doucette’s blog.  The blog talked about SNU football’s annual senior trip to Colorado in which the seniors and head football coach, Mike Cochran, raft and scale a mountain as a pre-season team building exercise.  To read the story, click on the following link…

http://blog.newsok.com/outthere/2009/08/10/snu-football-coach-senior-players-summit-mt-yale/

(BETHANY, OKLA.)---College Fanz Sports Network has announced that Southern Nazarene University’s home football game on September 19th with Bethel College of Kansas at the SNU Football Stadium will be the College Fanz NAIA Game of the Week.  The College Fanz broadcasting team will head to Bethany to broadcast the game live over the College Fanz Network.

The game, scheduled to kick-off at 6:00 p.m., will mark the 10th anniversary of SNU football, which will be celebrated throughout the night with the return of former players and coaches.  Bethel College was SNU’s first opponent on the gridiron back in the 2000 season.  Over 8,000 fans streamed into Taft Stadium to witness the inaugural game for the Crimson Storm and saw the Threshers down the Storm 24-6. 

Aside from streaming the game live over the internet on the College Fanz Network, the College Fanz crew will also have a live “Game Day” show at the stadium prior to the kick-off and will have a live halftime and post-game show.  Also during the game, College Fanz will award the College Fanz Outstanding Player of the Game for each team and will then award a $1,000 scholarship to each institution’s general scholarship fund. 

For more information on the College Fanz network, click here…
http://www.collegefanz.com/index.jspa