Box Score Glendale, Ariz.- Playing their final home game of the season, No. 21 Arizona Christian would not be stopped by Wayland Baptist on Saturday. The Firestorm scored two touchdowns in all four quarters and scored 27 points in each half while not punting once.
Five of their eight touchdowns came through the air while the Firestorm averaged 6.8 yards per carry on the ground. Junior Tyler Duncan threw for four touchdowns. Senior Devin Nilson had a career day with three receiving touchdowns. Freshman Maurice Rockette ran for his first two collegiate scores. Senior Aidan Quinn produced a touchdown on the ground and receiving.
Defensively, the Firestorm pitched a shutout in the second half allowing just 113 yards after the break. Senior Jacob Hernandez was all over the field with 14 tackles and a sack. Junior Jake Farrell, Senior Deonsaye Dean, Junior DeAnte Livingston, and Sophomore Adan Zapien all jumped in on the sack fun.
Game Info
- Game score: Arizona Christian - 54, Wayland Baptist - 16
- Records: Arizona Christian- 8-2, 7-2 SAC, Wayland Baptist - 2-8, 2-7 SAC
- NAIA Top 25 Rank: Arizona Christian - 21, Wayland Baptist - not ranked
- Location: ACU Football Field, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ
Offensive Stars
- Duncan- 22-30, 303 passing yards, 4 passing TD
- Shea Morales- 8-11, 105 passing yards, TD
- Rockette- 109 rushing yards, 2 TD
- Quinn- 102 rushing yards, TD, 3 catches, 77 yards, TD
- Nilson- 10 catches, 140 yards, 3 TDs
- Brandon Johnson- 5 catches, 110 receiving yards, TD
Defensive Stars
Inside The Numbers
- The Pioneers struck first on their opening possession
- Quinn swept right went untouched down the right sideline from 27 yards out to put ACU on the board
- On the second WBU drive, Hernandez became ACU's all-time leading tackler with his third tackle of the game
- Rockette gave the Firestorm their first lead with a TD run up the gut
- Following a WBU field goal, Quinn secured a pass in the flat and raced down the left sideline for a TD
- Nilson scored three touchdowns in about five minutes of clock time (20 seconds before the half and two before five minutes ticked off in the third quarter)
- Johnson produced his first collegiate touchdown on a 73 yard catch and run from Morales
- With five minutes remaining, Rockette busted loose from 72 yards out to cap the scoring
- ACU cashed in two touchdowns on long fourth down conversions
- The Firestorm had two hundred yard passers, two hundred yard receivers, and two hundred rushers in the game
- ACU scored on eight of their 11 possessions (two fumbles and turnover on downs slowed them)
- The ACU defense allowed just 17 yards rushing in the second half
Thoughts from Coach Bowen
"It was a great job by the guys today. Very proud of their efforts on both sides of the ball and special-teams. It was a nice way for our seniors to go out. Eight wins and two losses in a year is one heck of a season. The win gives us a chance to get into the playoffs… now we just sit and wait and see. Hopefully we get in and we might even win a conference championship."
Up Next
The Firestorm hope their 8-2 record and at least No. 21 ranking will carry them into the NAIA Championship Series which begins next weekend. The NAIA will announce the field on Sunday.
