The Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm traveled to Searcy, Arkansas on September 7 with a tough assignment -- to face the Harding University Bisons, defending national champions in NCAA Division II football.
That national title was apparently no fluke.
The Bisons thumped the Storm 59-0.
SNU will reboot this Saturday night in Bethany, with a 6 p.m. kickoff vesus Arkansas Tech University.
Southern Naz entered this 2024 season coming off an historic year, during which the team posted its best record in the Division II era.
The Bisons (1-0, 1-0 Great American Conference - GAC) controlled the first quarter last seek, tacking on two touchdowns to take an early lead over the Storm (0-1, 0-1 GAC).
The Storm struggled to get momentum from the jump as the Bisons got a quick three-out, followed by a botched snap on the punt attempt, giving Harding the ball on the SNU 20-yard line.
It was not long before the Bisons used a short 5-yard rush to put up their first touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead.
The Storm looked for a response and was once again shut out.
Harding used their defensive momentum to tally yet another rushing touchdown to go ahead 14-0.
The second quarter proved to be the same as the Bisons controlled the offensive side of the ball.
They scored another four touchdowns, stretching their lead to 42-0.
The Storm looked to get on the board in the second half, but the Bisons had other plans. They notched another opening drive touchodwn to go ahead 49-0.
The Bisons used the final two minutes of the third quarter to go down the field for yet another field goal stretching their lead once more.
The Storm struggled to find a response to the tough Harding offense going into the fourth quarter.
One final 20-yard rushing touchdown finished the Storm's tough night.
The Bisons claimed the opening 59-0 victory over the Storm in Searcy.
SNU is focused on the Arkansas Tech game. Over the past decade, the Crimson Storm have only won two out of ten games versus the Wonder Boys.
However, two of those wins came in the past four jousts -- last season's 38-31 win at Russelville, and the 41-24 win at home in 2019.
Head football coach Dustin Hada has been characterized as "upbeat" about the new season.
( https://www.citynewsokc.com/sports/oklahomas-southern-nazarene-university-storm-competitive-division-ii-squad-based-in-bethany-hopeful-as-2024/article_b40c6308-58c6-11ef-84bc-f77133ac2801.html )
The SNU athletic website pointed out: "In each of their last two seasons, Southern Nazarene has set new DII program records for wins in a season. Last year, the Crimson Storm earned their first bowl game berth in the DII era."
( https://snuathletics.com/news/2024/6/27/james-love-promoted-to-full-time-assistant-football-coach.aspx )
Terra Deupree, director of business and finance for SNU Athletics, has told CityNewsOKC that "walk-up" ticket purchases on home game days are most convenient for supporters, with efforts under way to help patrons avoid transaction fees.
According to the SNU website, the Football Stadium is located on Northwest 50 Street in Bethany, "just west of Council Road on the corner of” N.W. 50 and N. Stinchcomb Avenue. Of interest, “The football practice fields and indoor facility are also located on the stadium grounds."
NOTE: Pat McGuigan, editor emeritus, contributed to this report.
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