WAXAHACHIE, Texas – The OUAZ football team was hit with the turnover bug in Saturday's 56-34 loss at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) at Lumpkins Stadium.
 
OUAZ (2-3, 1-3 SAC) turned it over seven times, including three straight possessions in the second half, and they resulted in 35 points for SAGU (3-2, 2-1). The Lions takeaways included an interception and a fumble return for a touchdown.
 
The Spirit were trailing 14-0 less than three minutes into the game after a SAGU scoring drive and the pick-six from Christian Cross of SAGU. Things changed over the next 10 minutes as OUAZ scored 17 unanswered points featuring a touchdown run from Shamar Moreland and a passing score from Austin McCullough to Rahmi Rountree.
 
SAGU closed the half with consecutive scoring srives to lead 28-17 at intermission. They would then hit an 86-yard toiuchdown pass and return a fumble for a score to build a 42-17 lead with 9:48 to play in the third quarter. The Lions lead would reach 56-20 before late scores from Marcelous Chester-Riley and D'Montae Williams for OUAZ.
 
The Spirit ran for 243 yards and averaged 6.1 yards per rush in the loss. They added 329 yards passing to outgain SAGU 572-561 in total yards. OUAZ was just 4 of 16 on third down and failed to convert on two fourth down attempts.
 
McCullough finished the game 23 of 42 for 329 yards and two touchdowns and the four interceptions. He completed passes 11 different receivers. Williams led the team with 97 receiving yards while Jeremiah Greylock and Ronnie Martin had four catches apiece.
 
Chester-Riley gained 96 yards rushing on 16 carries and the one score. Joshua Vizcaya contributed 86 yards on nine attempts.
 
The OUAZ defense held SAGU to 90 yards rushing and had one takeaway. Kenneth Steele Jr. led the team with eight tackles, including four tackles-for-loss and one sack.
 
SAGU's CJ Collins threw for 471 yards and five touchdowns. Samuel Northey made 12 catches for 256 yards and three scores with Jeremy Carr posting 12 grabs for 130 yards and a touchdown.
 
OUAZ will return home next Saturday, October 6, to host crosstown rival Arizona Christian. The game will kickoff at 7 p.m. at Spirit Field and ticket information is available at OUAZSpirit.com/tickets.
 
The debut of the Mike Nesbitt Coaches' Show is scheduled for Monday night at 8 p.m. from the Buffalo Wild Wings in Surprise. The show will also be available on the OUAZ Athletics You Tube page.