Box Score

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – McMurry University won its third consecutive game, but it was not without some anxious moments, 22-19, over Southern Nazarene University at the Gopher-Warrior Bowl. The win improved the War Hawks to 3-2 overall, while the Crimson Storm fell to 0-6.

McM was led by freshman running back Paxton Grayer, who scored all three of his team's touchdowns on runs of 52, 1 and 2 yards. Grayer carried 18 times for 158 yards, averaging 8.8 yards per carry.

Quarterback Jake Mullin was 26-of-40 for 248 yards and an interception. Mullin did not throw any touchdown passes, leaving him on 98 total for his career.

Greg Livingston had seven catches for 80m yards, heading a corps of receivers where 11 individuals caught a pass in the game.

The Crimson Storm actually tallied first in the game after taking over on downs, beginning its first possession of the day at its own 38-yard line. SNU deftly moved the ball down the field, only to see its drive stall out after 11 plays, settling for a 30-yard field goal to make it 3-0.

On its ensuing drive, McMurry looked to be in position for a quick answer. The War Hawks needed three plays to move into Crimson Storm territory before Mullin was picked off at the SNU nine to thwart the threat.

The McM defense held Southern Nazarene at bay and - after a sack by Jonathan Blair - the War Hawks took over at their own 33, first-and-ten.  Two Mullin completions moved the ball out to the 48. On the fourth play of the set, Grayer took the handoff and exploded past the SNU defense for the 52 yard jaunt that, with the PAT, made it 7-3 with2:45 left in the first quarter.

Southern Nazarene took the upper hand heading into the break thanks to a 12-play, 71-yard drive that was culminated on a 13 yard pass from Dylan Terry to Sedrick Johnson, 10-7.

The ping-pong scoring continued late in the third period when the War Hawks re-took the upper hand on Grayer's second TD run of the day. The one-yard dive capped a seven-play drive that covered 58 yards. Cory Foust's PAT made it 14-10 with 5:34 left in the third stanza.

SNU then cut into the lead by scoring a safety, tackling Reace House in the end zone, after McMurry was pinned deep in its own end by a punt.

Grayer's third TD of the game came with 9:17 left to play. McM ran a fake out of the PAT attempt, with holder Brady Lambert lunging across the end zone to make it 22-12.

Less than two minutes later, the Crimson Storm had pulled to within three points on the second Terry-to-Johnson aerial connection of the contest. The 12-yard strike and extra point made it 22-19.

The McMurry faithful had to hold their breath to the very end as SNU got the ball back one final time ner midfield with :50 seconds left to play. SNU drove from its own 45 to the McM three yard line in seven plays.

After Terry hit Jakell Everhart over the middle, McM's Cory Pippen made a TD-saving stop at the three to bring up a fourth-and-goal with just a few tics left on the clock. SNU scrambled back and Crimson quarterback Dylan Terry was told by his sideline  to spike the ball, apparently losing track of the downs as the clock expired.

A solid McMurry defensive effort was led by linebacker Matt DaPra, who had 11 tackles, nine solo. DaPra also had one sack and a pass break-up to his credit. Cory Pippen also had 11 tackles (seven solo), also notching two break-ups and one quarterback hurry.

Defensive back Desmond Guy had a pair of interceptions and booked seven tackles.

The Crimson Storm ran 25 more plays than McMurry, 98 to 73, and held a 453 to 364 advantage in total offense.