Waxahachie, Texas- November 15, 2015- The 2015 season for the Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) has officially become the winningest season ever for the football team with a record of 7-3. The Lions topped Bacone College , 48-26 on senior day.
First year head coach Frank Tristan was impressed with his team’s effort, “It was a great win for our seniors and program as a whole. Defensively, we were able to force turnovers. Offensively, CJ Collins did a great job. We were able to eliminate mistakes and put the ball in the end zone.”
The Warriors were first to score. They made a 57-yard field goal to go up 3-0 with five minutes left in the first quarter. The Lions were quick to respond and 1:30 later Toras Hill caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from CJ Collins. Chadd Dearen’s extra point was good and SAGU took the lead 7-3.
The next kick-off was mishandled by Bacone and recovered by SAGU freshman Marco Matthews who was brought down at the Bacone 50-yard line. Less than two minutes after the first touchdown, SAGU was able to score again off of a Collins touchdown pass to Venique Benton . The first quarter ended with SAGU in the lead, 13-3.
The first series in the second quarter the Lions scored after Collins connected with freshman Justin Allen for a touchdown. Dearen’s kick was good. SAGU’s offensive attack just kept coming, with 8:00 left in the first half, sophomore JP Lowery had a touchdown run, making the score 27-3. For the final touchdown of the first half, Lowery scored his second on the day. SAGU went into halftime leading 34-3.
On the opening play in the 2 nd half, senior Deonte Morrison intercepted a Bacone pass and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. On the next possession, sophomore Carl Morgan intercepted a Bacone pass and returned it 67 yards for another SAGU score. The Lions led 48-3.
Around 10 minutes left in the third quarter, Bacone kicked a 39-yard field goal to make the score 48-6.&
In the fourth quarter, the Warriors were able to rally and score three touchdowns. BC quarterback Trey Seward completed a touchdown pass to Johnny Thomas, making the score 48-12. SAGU’s Glendez Matthews intercepted their attempt for two.
The Warriors Roderic Mackey had two touchdowns in the final minute 1:30 in the game. The first touchdown run was with 1:14 left in the game and the second came with 0:39 left. The final score was 48-26.
Running back JP Lowery had 90 yards on 12 carries for two touchdowns. Ricky Bickham had 79 yards on 12 carries. Quarterback CJ Collins was 15 for 26 for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Jeremy Carr had four catches for 62 yards, with a long of 38 yards. Toras Hill had three receptions for 41 yards and one touchdown.
For the defense, Carl Morgan , Deonte Morrison and Marco Matthews each had one interception. Morgan and Morrison each had a touchdown. D’Vonn Brown had seven tackles, 2.5 of those for a loss, as well as one sack. Morrison and Mohamed Mansaray each had six tackles.
Before the game, the Lions honored 13 seniors; Venique Benton , Shakeem Taylor , Tyler Jenkins , Eric Smith , Jeremiah Maat, Brishad Richardson , Derius Griffin, Caleb Shelly , Michael Umphenour , Deonte Morrison , Mohamed Mansaray , Trevor VanKempen and Austin Hines .
The 2015 seniors are the first seniors to earn a winning record while at SAGU. With the win on Saturday they will end their college football careers with a record of 21-19. All 13 seniors have been at SAGU for four years.
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]
