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Two special teams plays help SNU stop East Central

jeff cali, the ada news, okla.
·4 min read

Oct. 24—The East Central University football team probably deserved a better fate.

Southern Nazarene used a pair of unorthodox touchdowns just nine seconds apart to seize the momentum on the way to a 27-13 win over the Tigers Saturday afternoon inside Koi Ishto Stadium.

ECU dropped to 3-5 on the year and still hasn't won a home game, falling to 0-4 at Norris Field. The Crimson Storm left town at 4-4.

The Tigers made a pair of huge goal line stands in the first half and let 7-0 at the intermission.

Southern Nazarene used back-to-back special teams plays to turn the tide.

Facing a 4th-and-7 near midfield after their opening drive of the third quarter stalled out, the Crimson Storm executed a fake punt to perfection. Upback Nick Blanchard was the recipient of a direct snap, burst through the line of scrimmage and was off to the races with a 47-yard touchdown run. Adam Atwell's PAT kick tied the score at 7-7 at the 10:51 mark of the third quarter.

Then, during the ensuing kickoff, ECU return man Tavare Smith Jr. caught the ball at the 2-yard line and absorbed a hard hit after an 8-yard return. The ball popped out and SNU's Nave Smith scooped it up and returned in 11 yards for a touchdown. Gio Waller blocked the PAT kick, but the visitors still grabbed a 13-7 lead at the 10:42 mark.

After the Tigers got another big stop on a 4th-and-2 play at the ECU 33, East Central faced a 4th-and-short play at its own 42.

Running back David Hall took a handoff, sped through a hole on the left side of the field and sped down the sideline with a huge 58-yard touchdown run. He dragged an SNU player into the end zone from about eight yards out. Tiger kicker Tommy Yousey had the PAT kick hit the left upright, leaving the game tied at 13-13 with 2:49 left in the third period. Hall led the ECU offense with 98 yards on 13 carries.

Talented SNU quarterback Gage Porter lifted his team to victory with a pair of long touchdown runs. On the last play of the third quarter, he broke free with a 66-yard TD keeper that put the visitors on top 20-13.

Then, after the Southern Naz defense stopped Tiger running back Jaren Hendricks on a 4th-and-1 play — it was his first carry of the ballgame — at the ECU 45, Porter got loose again. His 41-yard touchdown — during which he broke at least three tackles — put the visitors on top 26-13 with 2:39 to play and all but sealed the SNU victory.

The Tigers drove to the SNU 23 on their ensuing possession but SNU defensive back Hiram Flores intercepted a pass by East Central quarterback Jaiave Magalei in the end zone to end any hopes of a comeback by the home team.

ECU's first-half touchdown came when receiver Dior Scott, running from left to right in the end zone, made a diving catch while getting his feet down for a 25-yard score. Yousey's PAT kick put the Tigers ahead 7:45 mark of the second period.

The East Central offense sputtered in the first period, finishing with 10 total yards and one first down during the opening frame.

Southern Naz had two golden scoring opportunities in the first half that were thwarted by the Tiger defense. The Crimson Storm drove to the ECU 8 before the Tigers stuffed a 4th-and-1 run for no gain. Late in the second period, SNU made it to the ECU 12 before Gio Waller stopped that drive with an interception in the end zone.

SNU gained chunks of rushing yards in the contest and finished with 399 on 49 attempts. Porter's stellar day included 264 rushing yards and the two late scores.

Neither team had a great day passing the ball. Porter finished 4-of-13 for 32 yards and an interception. Magalei completed just 10-of-23 tosses for 106 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His favorite target was Scott, who had three catches for 65 yards and a score.

ECU standout linebacker Devon Roush paced the Tiger defense with 12 tackles, including one for a 2-yard loss. Free safety Keveon Davis followed with eight tackles, including one for a loss, and linebacker Darian Williams also had eight stops.

The East Central football team is back at home Saturday, hosting Arkansas Tech University on Senior Day at Norris Field. It will also be Pink Out Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. The Wonder Boys (3-5) dropped a 31-24 decision to No. 14 Ouachita Baptist over the weekend.