September 21, 2024
Waxahachie, TX – In front of an pumped home crowd at Lumpkins Stadium, the Nelson University Lions extended their winning streak with a commanding 39-8 Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) victory over Arkansas Baptist College. The Lions capitalized on defensive power, including an early safety, and key offensive plays to secure their second win of the season.
Lions Review
Nelson's defense set the tone early, recording their second safety in as many weeks just minutes into the first quarter. The defensive unit's persistence forced Arkansas into a mistake that gifted the Lions two points. This rare yet impactful play was a sign of things to come for the relentless Lions defense.
Offensively, Nelson's Marvin Sanders opened the scoring with a 6-yard rushing touchdown, followed by Ryan Lewis' extra point, putting the Lions up 7-0. Sanders, who later added a 34-yard touchdown run, finished the game with 110 yards on 15 carries, averaging a stellar 7.3 yards per attempt.
Quarterback Briley Green showcased his dual-threat capabilities, both passing and rushing effectively throughout the game. Green connected with David Briseno in the second quarter for a 15-yard touchdown pass, marking Briseno's first career touchdown in Lion colors. This score was part of a balanced offensive attack that saw contributions from multiple playmakers, including Dakeevion Rose , who ran for 80 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
On defense, Quaveann Mitchell was a standout, earning Defensive Player of the Game honors for his eight total tackles and two sacks. The Lions' defense as a whole was imposing, sacking Arkansas Baptist quarterbacks a total of seven times and allowing just 45 passing yards all night. Mitchell's relentless pressure on the line helped keep Arkansas Baptist's offense off balance, while Xavier Garcia's forced fumble added to the Buffalos' woes.
The Lions also excelled in special teams play, with Amin White electrifying the crowd with a 38-yard punt return touchdown in the second quarter. White's return gave Nelson a commanding 23-0 lead, and Ryan Lewis added a 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
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Key Stats and Performances
What's Next?
With a 2-0 record, the Lions will turn their attention to a formidable road matchup against Ottawa University Arizona in Surprise, AZ. The contest is set for Saturday, September 28, at 6:00 PM. Nelson will look to carry their momentum westward and continue their impressive early-season form.Â
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
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