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OUAZ Athletics

Marcelous Chester-Riley - September 18, 2021
Richard Martinez
31
Texas Wesleyan TXWES 2-1 , 2-1
45
Winner OUAZ OUAZ 3-0 , 3-0
Texas Wesleyan TXWES
2-1 , 2-1
31
Final
45
OUAZ OUAZ
3-0 , 3-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
TXWES Texas Wesleyan 0 7 7 17 31
OUAZ OUAZ 21 3 7 14 45

Game Recap: Football |

No. 18 Spirit Down Texas Wesleyan to Stay Unbeaten

SURPRISE, Ariz. – In a matchup that should prove crucial in the final results of the Sooner Athletic Conference race, the 18th-ranked OUAZ football team made sure the run to the crown will go through Surprise with a 45-31 win over Texas Wesleyan on Saturday night at Spirit Field.

It didn't take long for OUAZ (3-0, 3-0 SAC) to establish who was the team with championship pedigree when Eric Holman returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown on the game's second play. After forcing Texas Wesleyan (2-1, 2-1) into a punt on the next possession, the Spirit would go 85 yards in 11 plays, with Marcelous Chester-Riley capping the drive with a 16-yard reception from Austin McCullough.

The Spirit defense – playing without multiple regular starters – would hold the Rams to just one first down through a quarter and a half and built a 24-0 lead with 6:50 to play in the first half with a one-yard run from Chester-Riley and a 36-yard field goal from Michael Hall.

Texas Wesleyan continued to chip away at the deficit, and with 8:56 to play in the fourth quarter, they had cut the OUAZ lead to 31-24. Chester-Riley then carried the Spirit offense with 54 yards rushing and a 17-yard score during a 10-play, 77-yard drive that gave the Spirit a two-score lead.

OUAZ sealed the win by holding the Rams on fourth down on the ensuing possession and then getting a 21-yard score from McCullough to Jonah Alicea three plays later.

Texas Wesleyan had a 408-401 edge in total yards when it was over, but the Spirit defense held the nation's No. 10 rushing offense entering the game 131 yards below their average while forcing three turnovers. OUAZ also had a 25-15 advantage in first downs with 142 rushing yards.

Chester-Riley ran for 140 yards – his second career 100-yard game and first since 2018 – with another 45 yards receiving and three total touchdowns. McCullough threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns, and he completed passes to six different receivers.

Richard Montello had seven catches for 84 yards to lead the group. Jermaine Trotman Jr. added four grabs for 43 yards and a score.

On the defensive side, Brandon Tomerlin Jr. once again led the Spirit with ten tackles. Xavier Alexander added eight tackles. Seth Ham recorded three tackles-for-loss, and David Sow had one sack.

OUAZ now sits tied atop the Sooner Athletic Conference standings with Langston through three games. The Spirit will now travel to Pineville, La., with a seven-game winning streak dating back to last season. They will face SAC newcomer Louisiana College on September 25 at noon (Central) / 10 a.m. (Arizona).
 
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