A fast start on Saturday afternoon propelled Southern Nazarene University to its first-ever football victory over Arkansas Tech University.
The Crimson Storm scored the first 28 points of the game and defeated the Wonder Boys 41-24 at the SNU Football Stadium in Bethany, Okla.
In addition to defeating Arkansas Tech for the first time in seven tries, Southern Nazarene (2-4) also secured consecutive wins on its home field for the first time since November 2011.
A special teams play sparked it all for the Crimson Storm.
Jaden Simmons blocked an ATU punt with 11:57 remaining in the first quarter and Kolbe Branch returned it 31 yards for a touchdown.
Southern Nazarene quarterback Gage Porter accounted for the next two touchdowns — one on a 28-yard touchdown pass to Reid Roelofs and another on an 83-yard run — and the Crimson Storm extended its margin to 21-0.
Noah Campbell added a 44-yard interception return for a touchdown, Ryan Reid booted his fourth point after touchdown of the half and SNU led 28-0 with 5:03 to go in the second quarter.
The Wonder Boys (0-6) got on the board with an 11-yard touchdown run by Caleb Batie at the 2:21 mark of the second quarter. His scamper came one play after Tech’s Jordan Furtch intercepted a Porter pass.
Arkansas Tech added a 29-yard field goal by Jesus Zizumbo and a 2-yard touchdown run by Mason Cunningham to pull within 28-17 with 2:54 left in the third quarter, but two more big plays by the Crimson Storm sealed the Wonder Boys’ fate.
Jakel Davis returned an interception 81 yards for a touchdown with 12:15 left in the fourth quarter and Porter notched a 68-yard touchdown run less than three minutes later.
Porter finished with 20 carries for 270 yards. He also passed for 110 yards.
ATU’s Batie carried 30 times for a career-high 145 yards and two touchdowns.
The Wonder Boys will host Northwestern Oklahoma State University in further GAC action on Saturday, Oct. 19. Kickoff at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville is planned for 2 p.m.
