SWOSU Football Game Notes | vs. Southern Nazarene | 10.17.2026

SWOSU Football hosts Southern Nazarene Saturday afternoon as the Bulldogs look to build on last week's 28-18 victory over Southern Arkansas. SWOSU enters the matchup 2-4, while the Crimson Storm come to Weatherford at 1-5 following a 49-14 loss at Ouachita Baptist.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. from Flex-Chem Field at Milam Stadium. The game was moved from its original Thursday night slot, and admission is free for all fans.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

1. SATURDAY SWITCH
SWOSU hosts Southern Nazarene Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. following a schedule change from Thursday night. Admission is free as the Bulldogs seek consecutive wins for the first time this season.

2. FINISHING STRONG
The Bulldogs erased a 10-7 fourth-quarter deficit against Southern Arkansas with 21 unanswered points in 5:07. Kelton Moore's 43-yard interception return and a subsequent strip-sack helped turn a three-point deficit into an 18-point lead.

3. GROUND GAME SHOWDOWN
Southern Nazarene averages 277.5 rushing yards per game, with 15 of its 16 offensive touchdowns coming on the ground. SWOSU has rushed for at least 215 yards in three straight games.

4. THIRD-DOWN TURNAROUND
SWOSU converted 9-of-17 third downs against Southern Arkansas after going 2-of-14 at Henderson State. The Bulldog defense held SAU to 1-of-10 and now faces an SNU offense converting 43.2% of its third-down opportunities.

5. PROTECTING POSSESSION
The Bulldogs played turnover-free football against Southern Arkansas while producing two takeaways. SNU enters with nine turnovers committed and five gained, including five interceptions thrown and four fumbles lost.

SCOUTING SOUTHERN NAZARENE

2025: 2-9 (2-9 GAC)
Head Coach: Dustin Hada (6th Season)
Preseason GAC: 11th
2026 Record: 1-5 (1-5 GAC)

Southern Nazarene enters Saturday following a 49-14 loss at Ouachita Baptist. The Crimson Storm's lone victory came Oct. 3 against Arkansas-Monticello, when SNU rushed for 446 yards in a 40-34 overtime win.

The running game accounts for 277.5 of SNU's 370.2 yards of total offense per game, ranking second in the GAC. Quarterbacks Maddox Olatunde and Jaxon Worley have combined for 783 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. Fifteen of the Crimson Storm's 16 offensive touchdowns have come on the ground, while the passing game averages 92.7 yards per contest.

Defensively, SNU allows 463.8 yards per game, including 238.7 rushing yards. Wyatt Brown leads the team with 57 tackles, followed by Matt Stuckey with 55. Opponents have converted 30-of-60 third downs against the Crimson Storm.

Brett Leonardt averages 40.6 yards per punt and has made both of his field-goal attempts, including a 50-yarder against Arkansas-Monticello. SNU carries a minus-four turnover margin with five takeaways and nine giveaways.

SERIES SNAPSHOT

All-Time Series: SWOSU leads, 10-4
GAC Era: SWOSU leads, 9-4
GAC Era in Weatherford: SWOSU leads, 6-1
Current Streak: SWOSU, W2
Last SWOSU Win: 2025, 31-6

Last Three:
2025: W, 31-6
2024: W, 24-17
2023: L, 7-41

BULLDOG BITES

GROUND-HEAVY STORM: SNU averages 277.5 rushing yards per game and ran for 446 in its lone victory against Arkansas-Monticello. Fifteen of SNU's 16 offensive touchdowns have come on the ground, while its passing game averages 92.7 yards.

FINISH THE DRIVE: SWOSU has scored on 16-of-22 red-zone possessions, with five trips ending on downs, including last week's stop at the SAU 1-yard line. The Bulldogs have scored touchdowns on 13 of those 22 trips. SNU has allowed touchdowns on 20-of-25 opponent red-zone possessions.

MAKE THEM DEFEND THE RUN: SWOSU has rushed for at least 215 yards in three straight games, while SNU allows 238.7 rushing yards per contest. Last week, the Bulldogs possessed the ball for 35:59 and capped their scoring with a six-play, 39-yard touchdown drive consisting entirely of runs.

LIVING IN THE BACKFIELD: SWOSU is tied for the NCAA Division II lead with 9.7 tackles for loss per game. The Bulldogs have collected 58 stops behind the line through six games, including 11 against Southern Arkansas.

BRINGING THE PRESSURE: The Bulldogs lead the GAC and rank fourth nationally with 3.5 sacks per game. SWOSU's 21 sacks have accounted for 128 lost yards, with at least three sacks in five of six games.

AIR COVERAGE: SWOSU ranks seventh nationally and second in the GAC in passing defense, allowing 139.5 yards per game. The Bulldogs have held five opponents below 180 passing yards, including Southern Arkansas's 90 last week.

MAKING THROWS DIFFICULT: The Bulldogs rank 17th nationally and third in the GAC in defensive passing efficiency at 106.60. Opponents have completed just 48.6% of their passes, with five interceptions against six passing touchdowns.

DEFENSE TRAVELS: SWOSU sits second in the GAC and 26th nationally in total defense, allowing 296.2 yards per game. The Bulldogs have held each of their two defeated opponents below 275 total yards: Oklahoma Baptist at 126 and Southern Arkansas at 274.

JACKSON BEHIND THE LINE: Keshaun Jackson ranks fourth nationally and second in the GAC with 2.0 tackles for loss per game. Four of his 12 TFLs came against Southern Arkansas, when he also forced a fumble on a fourth-quarter sack.

TWO OFF THE EDGE: Jackson and Keith Hargraves give SWOSU two players among Division II's top 20 in sacks per game. Jackson ranks 15th nationally at 0.83, while Hargraves is 19th at 0.75. Their combined 9.5 sacks account for nearly half the team total.

FINDING THE FOOTBALL: Malcom Gooden and Keshaun Jackson each have two fumble recoveries, tying for fifth nationally. SWOSU's seven recoveries rank seventh in Division II and tied for second in the GAC, with five Bulldogs having recovered a fumble.

HANDS UP: SWOSU's three blocked kicks rank 14th nationally. Jaylen Niedo has blocked a PAT and a field goal, while Malcolm Murphy added another field-goal block. Both field-goal blocks came against Southeastern.

BEASLEY FINDS THE END ZONE: DeAndre Beasley's four receiving touchdowns are tied for the GAC lead. He caught SWOSU's lone passing touchdown against Southern Arkansas and ranks fourth in the conference with 403 receiving yards on 29 catches.

MUTTER ON THE MOVE: Charles Mutter rushed for a career-high 99 yards on 13 carries against Southern Arkansas, including a 59-yard run. He has 250 rushing yards this season and averages 6.0 yards per carry, giving the Bulldogs another option in the ground game.

FLIPPING THE FIELD: Christian Clarke has placed 12 punts inside the 20 and produced seven punts of at least 50 yards. Three of his five punts against Southern Arkansas pinned the Muleriders inside their 20, and SNU enters averaging just 3.3 yards per punt return.

LAST TIME VS. SOUTHERN NAZARENE

SWOSU rushed for 322 yards and built a 24-0 lead before defeating Southern Nazarene 31-6 last season in Bethany. The Bulldogs finished with 381 yards of total offense and converted 6-of-10 third downs.

MJ Rivers connected with Elijah Reed for two first-half touchdowns, while Ethan McBee added a 41-yard field goal for a 17-0 halftime advantage. Braxton Etheridge scored twice on the ground after halftime, and Red Martel led the rushing attack with 147 yards on 18 carries.

The Bulldog defense collected four sacks and held SNU to 3-of-14 on third down. Justus Conway led SWOSU with eight tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. The Crimson Storm finished with 290 yards of offense, including 157 rushing and 133 passing.