Phoenix, AZ- On the strength of a strong defensive effort and great field position throughout, Arizona Christian routed Texas College 57-7 on Saturday.  Junior Gerrit Groenewold accounted for five touchdowns- three passing and two rushing- on the day.  Senior Kori Hurd used four tackles for loss including 1.5 sacks to lead the defense.

A stout defense allowed the ACU offense to work with a short field most of the day as six of their drives started inside Texas territory.

Groenewold and the offense went to work from there.  A bad snap on a punt attempt by the Steers (0-6, 0-3 CSFL) allowed the Firestorm (4-2, 6-0 CSFL) to take their first offensive snap at the Texas 19.  On their first play, Groenewold lofted a pass into the end zone and Junior Johnathan Parks came down with the ball in the end zone.

After just the one touchdown and extra point in the first quarter, ACU exploded for 29 points in the second quarter as Groenewold hit Junior Justin Carroll for one TD pass and Junior Streeter Turner with another TD throw.  Sandwiched in between was two touchdown runs by Groenewold.  Junior Derek Brush kicked three extra points while Sophomore Tyler Hunt ran in a two point conversion.

Only playing the first half after a 36-0 lead at the break, Groenewold concluded his day 11 of 15 for 149 yards passing and 21 yards coming on the ground.

Junior Ryan Esslinger ran the offense in the second half and was impressive himself with a 9-10 two touchdown throwing performance.  He hit Parks with a bullet at the goal line to give Parks his second TD on the day.  Freshman Mark Wood was on the receiving end of a nice catch and run for Esslinger's second TD.

Defensively, the Firestorm forced three turnovers- two interceptions (one by Senior Gary Stevenson and another by Senior Justin Barnes) and fumble recovery returned for a touchdown by Junior Ricky Bradley.

ACU tacklers spread the wealth around as 10 players recorded three tackles or more in the game.  Joining Hurd as the top tacklers were Senior Timothy Clayton (4.5 tackles) and Junior Robert Harding III and Bradley with four tackles each.

In all, Arizona Christian produced 14 tackles for loss.  Hurd, Senior Marty Henderson, Junior Bryton Green, and Sophomore Bobby Ealim were all credited with at least one sack.

Head Coach Jeff Bowen offered these thoughts, "Great TEAM win.  As a staff we felt we had a great week of preparation.  We knew a performance like this was on the verge of happening for our team. We're 1-0 today and we are excited about the win!"

On Saturday, the Firestorm will be on the road for the final time in the regular season as they head to Batesville, AR, to tangle with Lyon College.  Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm CDT/ 4:00 pm AT.