October 26, 2024

Houston, TX  – The Nelson University Lions roared into Houston on Saturday, October 26, 2024, and overwhelmed North American University in a decisive 36-3 triumph. In a game where Nelson's defense, special teams, and rushing attack worked in perfect harmony, the Lions dismantled the Stallions and improved their season record to 3-4.

From the opening kickoff, Nelson made their intentions clear. Running back Dakeevion Rose powered the Lions' offense with two early touchdowns. His 10-yard dash through North American's defense at 3:32 in the first quarter set the tone for the rest of the game, followed by an 11-yard run early in the second quarter to push the lead to 13-0. Rose finished the day with 59 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 carries.

Quarterback Briley Green displayed his usual poise in his return under center, completing 25 of 41 passes for 192 yards. While Green did not find the end zone through the air, his precision and decision-making kept the offense moving, connecting frequently with standout receiver Zach Fuller, who hauled in 10 receptions for 59 yards.

Running back Marvin Sanders contributed heavily on the ground, adding 55 rushing yards on 14 attempts and a 5-yard touchdown just before halftime, extending the lead to 22-0.

The Lions' defense was relentless from the start, and by the end of the second quarter, they added points to the scoreboard themselves. A safety with just under two minutes left in the first half extended the lead to 15-0. The defense wasn't done yet – Johnathan Bloom scooped up a fumble early in the third quarter and returned it 43 yards for another score, widening the gap to 29-0.

Later, Amin White  picked off a North American pass and took it 35 yards to the house, securing Nelson's final touchdown of the night. White's electrifying play capped off a dominant defensive performance.

Key defenders such as Joseph Chavez, Xavier Garcia, and Ronnie Murphy led the charge. Chavez notched 7 total tackles, including a sack, while Garcia forced two fumbles. Quaveann Mitchell also forced a fumble and had a pass breakup.

North American's only points came in the fourth quarter, when Cristobal Salga kicked a 17-yard field goal with 1:49 remaining, preventing the shutout but never truly threatening Nelson's commanding lead.

Kicker Ryan Lewis was a steady presence, converting 4 of 5 extra points and punting 4 times for 139 yards. Lewis contributed significantly, averaging over 61 yards per kickoff, helping Nelson control field position.
 

Next Up?
The Lions will return home to Waxahachie for their Homecoming game on Saturday, November 2. They will face Louisiana Christian University at Lumpkins Stadium, with kickoff set for 2:00 PM. 

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