Waxahachie, Texas- October 24, 2015- The Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) football team topped Wayland Baptist University (WBU), 40-14. The Lions are now 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the Central States Football League (CSFL). WBU is 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the CSFL.
The Lions are now tied for the winningest season on record, when back in 2013 SAGU went 6-4.
Head coach Frank Tristan thought his team worked well through the rain and wind, “I was very proud of our guys especially with the weather conditions and a very physical Wayland Baptist team. Our defensive backs played exceptionally well.”
SAGU’s defense was top-notch. WBU threw the ball 53 times and only completed 11. The defensive backs had 15 pass break-ups for the game. Currently, SAGU ranks no. six in total defense per game, allowing only 280 yards per game.
The first score of the game came after junior linebacker Ethan Eastwood i ntercepted a WBU throw, and ran the ball for a 20-yard touchdown. Chadd Dearen ’s extra kick was good and the Lions went up 7-0.
On WBU’s next possession, Eastwood tipped the ball and Paul Ellis caught it for the interception. From 13-yards out, quarterback CJ Collins scrambled into the end zone for the second touchdown of the game. Dearen’s kick was good and SAGU took the lead, 14-0.
At the end of the first quarter, Dearen kicked a 32-yard field goal making the score 17-0 with six minutes left.
After a SAGU fumble in the red zone, WBU made it on the board when Payson Bain threw a touchdown pass to Trey Rowe , making the game 24-7.
With 2:10 left in the first half, SAGU junior D’Vonn Brown tackled Wayland’s quarterback in the end zone for a safety. SAGU headed into halftime ahead, 26-7.
With 4:00 left in the third quarter, the Pioneers were able to capitalize on a Lion turnover, making the score 26-14.
From this point on, SAGU was able to hold the Pioneers scoreless while sophomore quarterback CJ Collins threw for two touchdowns, one to Chaz Moncriffe and one to Jeremy Carr .
Offensively the Lions were led by sophomore quarterback CJ Collins who went 18 for 32 with 241 yards and three touchdown passes. Freshman Jeremy Carr had an impressive game with three catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Chaz Moncriffe had five catches for 56 yards and one touchdown and sophomore Toras Hill had five receptions for 76 yards. Sophomore Ricky Bickham rushed for 51 yards on 11 carries, with a long of 25 yards.
For the defense junior Ethan Eastwood had 10 tackles, one interception and one touchdown. Junior Marquise McCormick had seven tackles and one interception. Junior D’Vonn Brown had six tackles, three sacks, and three tackles for loss.
On Saturday, October 31, 2015 the SAGU Lions will travel to Phoenix, Arizona to play Arizona Christian University . ACU is currently in the top spot in the CSFL with a record of 4-0 and 4-3 overall. Game time is at noon and it will be broadcast live by ACU HERE .
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
Contact: Natalie Tristan, SAGU SID, [email protected]
