Batesville, AR- Big plays including a 95 yard rushing TD by Junior Justin Carroll, 85 yard rushing TD by Sophomore Damario Fair, and a 64 touchdown reception by Junior Johnathan Parks helped the Firestorm amass 682 yards of offense and earn a 34-17 win over Lyon College on Saturday.

A missed field goal on their first possession, a deep punt by the Scots (3-5, 2-2 CSFL), and an illegal block in the back saw the Firestorm (5-2, 4-0 CSFL) started drive number two at their own five yard.  But no problem as Carroll took the handoff and scampered 95 yards for his third rushing touchdown (sixth overall TD) of the season and earn the ACU record for the longest play from scrimmage.  The two point conversion was turned away.

The first quarter came to a close with the score staying put at 6-0 ACU.  Lyon tacked on a field goal in the second quarter and the teams went to the locker room with a 6-3 score.

Lyon marched the first possession of the second half right down the field to grab 10-6 edge.

Senior Donovan Smith returned the ensuing kickoff 37 yards to the ACU 47.  A 13 yard loss created a fourth and 21 for ACU.  But Junior Gerrit Groenewold connected with Parks- playing in his home state- and 64 yards later Parks was standing in the end zone.  The fifth touchdown of the season for Parks add in the extra point and ACU moved in front for good.

The very next offensive snap for ACU saw Fair bust an 85 yard run for a 20-10 cushion.  Two offensive plays following the Fair TD, Groenewold found Junior Derick Hughes for an 18 yard touchdown catch.  In a span of four offensive plays ACU went from down 10-6 to up 27-10.

Senior Quinta Thomas (pictured) rushed the rock a team high 13 times and was rewarded with a two yard rushing TD in front of his home state crowd.  His fifth touchdown on the ground capped the ACU scoring.

Defensively, the Firestorm allowed the most yards on the ground (279) of the season but their fewest passing yards in a game (171).  Senior Will Johnson topped the defensive effort with eight total tackles including one resulting in a tackle for loss.  Juniors Travon Richardson and Zhi'irKane James each added seven tackles.  James recovered a fumble as well.  Two of the six tackles for Junior Joshua Carter were for a loss.

Head Coach Jeff Bowen stated, "We are getting better every week but we need to clean up the mental errors if we really want to reach our potential.  We are still undefeated in league and we've only scratched the surface of what we can be."

Next Saturday, Arizona Christian will play out of CSFL action for the final time in the regular season as they host Warner (FL).  The Firestorm and the Royals are set for a kickoff time of 12:00 pm at Shadow Mountain High School.