November 2, 2025
Waxahachie, TX – The Nelson University Lions returned to Lumpkins Stadium on a vibrant Saturday afternoon, energized by the spirit of Homecoming. Alumni, current students, and loyal fans gathered in high anticipation, fueled by pre-game tailgates, yard games, and roaring support from Judah, the beloved Lion mascot.
Game Recap
The game commenced with a burst of excitement as Nelson's Marvin Sanders ignited the scoreboard with a 31-yard touchdown run, giving the Lions an early 7-0 lead. The first half, however, turned into a fiercely contested battle. Louisiana Christian responded in the second quarter with Daylon Charles punching in a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful field goal by Levi Hilborn and another Charles rush to take the lead.
The Lions fought back with Sanders once again breaking through for a 9-yard touchdown in the third quarter. However, a missed PAT allowed Louisiana Christian to stay ahead 16-13 after a stunning 97-yard PAT return by Jaheim Mitchell. The Nelson defense, highlighted by standout performances from Joseph Chavez (16 tackles) and Xavier Garcia (13 tackles), kept the pressure on but could not completely stymie the Wildcats.
Nelson rallied with a 14-yard touchdown run by Sanders in the fourth quarter, capturing a 26-18 lead. Yet, Louisiana Christian's Ethan Christman struck back with a game-changing 59-yard touchdown pass from River Thompson, setting the stage for a dramatic finale. With just under 8 minutes left, Charles scored his third touchdown, sealing a narrow 30-26 victory for the Wildcats.
Statistical Highlights
- Offense: Quarterback Briley Green finished with 140 passing yards. Marvin Sanders led the ground attack with 86 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
- Defense: Chavez, Garcia, and Quaveann Mitchell anchored the defensive effort with double-digit tackles. Jay Mosley added pressure with two tackles for loss.
- Special Teams: Ryan Lewis averaged 38.6 yards per punt, with a long of 75 yards.
Next Up?
The Lions (3-5, 2-5 SAC) will look to bounce back as they face Oklahoma Panhandle State University on November 9 at 2:00 PM in Lumpkins Stadium. Join us for another thrilling Saturday in Waxahachie.
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
