October 12, 2024
Waxahachie, TX – In front of a spirited home crowd at Lumpkins Stadium, the Nelson University Lions fought hard but couldn't overcome Wayland Baptist University in a tough Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) contest on Saturday, October 12th. The Lions' early momentum was met with fierce resistance from Wayland Baptist, who secured a 27-7 victory.
The game kicked off with excitement, as Nelson struck first with a swift three-play, 74-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run punched home from Dakeevion Rose, giving the Lions an early 7-0 lead. Ryan Lewis added the extra point, and the home crowd was buzzing.
However, Wayland Baptist responded quickly, tying the game later in the first quarter with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Davian Guajardo to Brenden Strickl. From that point forward, the Wayland Baptist defense stifled the Lions' offense, while their rushing attack gradually wore down Nelson's defense.
Pierson Rougeau was a bright spot for Nelson on the ground, rushing for 116 yards on 19 carries, including a long run of 55 yards. But turnovers and defensive pressure from Wayland Baptist made it difficult for the Lions to sustain drives. Rougeau also contributed through the air, throwing for 82 yards but was intercepted twice.
In the second quarter, Guajardo added a 21-yard touchdown run, putting Wayland Baptist ahead 14-7 going into halftime. The Lions' defense, led by Joseph Chavez with 13 total tackles, fought valiantly to keep the game close, but Wayland's efficiency proved too much.Â
The third and fourth quarters saw Wayland extend their lead with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Damon Ford and two field goals from Leo Marini, sealing the 27-7 victory for the visiting team.
Defensive Standouts Â
Along with Joseph Chavez's 13 tackles, Xavier Garcia and Johnathan Bloom contributed solid defensive efforts, each recording over 9 tackles. Jace Williams also added a sack, and Dylon Kaufman provided three pass breakups.
What's Next?
The Lions will look to bounce back on the road next week, as they travel to Fort Worth to take on cross town foe Texas Wesleyan University. Kickoff is set for Saturday, October 19th, at 2:00 PM.Â
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Key Stats
- Passing: Pierson Rougeau – 82 yards (6-16, 0 TDs, 2 INTs)
- Rushing: Pierson Rougeau – 116 yards (19 attempts), Dakeevion Rose – 1 TD
- Receiving: Zach Fuller – 46 yards (3 receptions)
- Defense: Joseph Chavez – 13 total tackles, Jace Williams – 1 sack
Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU
