Box Score WAXAHACHIE – The turnover bug bit Wayland Baptist and Southwestern Assemblies of God University a total of a dozen times during a Central States Football League game here Saturday afternoon, but the Pioneers came away with the most bites – eight – as the Lions posted a 40-14 victory.
Wayland (3-4 overall, 1-2 CSFL) lost the ball on five interceptions and three fumbles to the Lions (6-2, 3-1), who are ranked the equivalent of 30
th in the NAIA. SAGU gave it away on three fumbles and a pick.
The Pioneers struggled in the passing game throughout, completing just 12-of-54 passes to go with the five INTs. Wayland rushed for 74 yards on 38 carries, compared to SAGU's offensive production of 68 yards on the ground and 257 in the air on 21-of-36 aerials.
Wayland received the opening kickoff and drove to the SAGU 28-yard line where
Daniel Martinez missed on a 45-yard field goal.
After the Pioneer defense forced a three-and-out, the Lions scored the first points of the day on a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown.
A second interception on Wayland quarterback
Payson Bain's next pass attempt led to another SAGU score on a 13-yard run with one second left in the first quarter.
Following a SAGU field goal, another WBU turnover, this time a fumble by Bain near midfield on the next-to-last play of the first quarter, paved the way to SAGU taking a 24-0 lead on a 19-yard pass.
It was finally Wayland's turn to benefit from a turnover after
James Battley III recovered a fumble forced by
Reggie Pierce at the Pioneer 12-yard line. A 39-yard pass completion to
Preston Woodard set up a 30-yard TD pass from Bain to
Trey Rowe, and the Pioneers were on the board, trailing, 24-7.
The Lions later sacked Bain for a safety to take a 26-7 lead into intermission.
Third-period action saw the teams trade missed field goals, with Martinez errant from 51 yards, before a blocked punt by Wayland's
Nathan Askins set up the Pioneers at the SAGU 6-yard line. A penalty set WBU back 15 yards, but two plays later Bain hooked up with
Chris Acosta for the TD, and the Pioneers were within 26-14.
Wayland had a couple of possessions to cut the gap a bit closer, but couldn't. Then the Lions made the Pioneers pay on the first play after an interception. SAGU completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to extend its lead to 33-14.
The scoring ended early in the fourth quarter when for the third time SAGU struck for a touchdown on the first play following a turnover, this time after a Bain fumble that the Lions turned into the final game's seven points on a 16-yard pass.
The Pioneers return home for their next two games, on Oct. 31 against Bacone and Nov. 7 against Langston. Bacone (1-7, 1-2) fell at home to Langston (4-3, 2-1) on Saturday, 49-7.
