September 23, 2023

Waxahachie, TX - In an exciting matchup that had the entire Waxahachie community buzzing, the Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Lions Football team took on the nationally ranked Ottawa University Arizona (OUAZ) Spirit in their highly anticipated 2023 home opener at Lumpkins Stadium Saturday morning. This showdown marked the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) game of the week, and it certainly lived up to the hype, though not in the way the Lions had hoped.
 

Lions Review 
The final score told the story, as the OUAZ Spirit came out on top with a commanding 52-10 victory. Despite a valiant effort, the Lions faced a formidable opponent and struggled to find their footing throughout the game. The Lions' offense had difficulty gaining ground against the stout Spirit defense, and this struggle played right into the hands of OUAZ, allowing them to capitalize on advantageous field position and rack up points on the scoreboard.

Nevertheless, there were standout defensive performers who flew around the field like bats making spectacular plays for the SAGU Lions. Noah Gipson, Xavier Garcia, Keith Hargraves, Isaac Gowdy, and Dylan Kaufman led the team in total tackles, showcasing their relentless pursuit of the ball and delivering rattling hits that kept the Lions in the fight.

On the offensive side, quarterback Jamonte Gordon-West, wide receiver Paul Odidi, and running back Dakeevion Rose provided sparks of hope with their yardage-gaining efforts, demonstrating flashes of brilliance.

Special teams also had its moments of glory, with Ryan Lewis delivering a remarkable 70-yard punt that shifted the momentum in favor of SAGU. This booming punt forced OUAZ into a three-and-out situation, resulting in a blocked punt by Quaveann Mitchell and a scoop-and-score by Justin Demidio, putting the Lions on the board for the first time in the fourth quarter and making the score 45-7.

Kicker Jonah Osborne added to the Lions' score with a beautifully executed 43-yard field goal, showcasing his precision and leg power as the ball sailed effortlessly through the uprights.

The Lions next contest is scheduled for Saturday, September 30th, at 4:00 PM, when they will face Langston in another crucial SAC matchup at Lumpkins Stadium in Waxahachie, Texas. The SAGU faithful can buy tickets HERE: https://vivenu.com/seller/southwestern-assemblies-of-god-university-z6n9

As a leading Christian university, SAGU educates and prepares individuals who want to serve Christ and others. SAGU helps students discover and develop their God-given callings in a Spirit-empowered, learning community. We believe in affordable tuition, made possible in part through the financial support of donors who embrace the mission of SAGU and the importance of affordable, accredited programs to train Christians for leadership in ministry, business, education, and service. Most majors are available in-person in Waxahachie, TX, and online through a wide range of associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.