While most college football fans have never heard of Southern Nazarene and Ouachita Baptist, the two NCAA Division II schools provided some incredible drama Thursday night.
Winless (0-8) Southern Nazarene pulled off a stunning upset against 8-0 Ouachita, scoring a touchdown in the final seconds to knock off the No. 3 team. For fans who don’t realize how enormous that upset is, just listen to longtime Ouachita play-by-play announcer Rex Nelson on the call for that touchdown.
Quarterback Bryson Evans hit tight end Anthony Cox with an 11-yard pass with 24 seconds remaining to make the final score 18-17.
“Second and 10 from the 11, Evans out of the shotgun, rolls to his right, looks back to his left, setting up the screen,” Nelson called, “got a tight end! And he’s going to score! TOUCHDOWN SOUTHERN NAZARENE! ONLY 24 SECONDS LEFT!
“And it looks like they are going to knock off the No. 3 team in the country for their first win of the season! Unbelievable!”
FINAL SCORE | FB | @NCAADII
🚨 MAJOR UPSET ALERT 🚨
Southern Nazarene 18@SNUFootball (1-8)
#3 Ouachita Baptist 17@OuachitaFB (8-1)
This day will live on forever within the Southern Nazarene program! The Crimson Storm pick up their 1st win of the season and 100th win in… pic.twitter.com/Y02TCWrAoR
— Oklahoma Local Sports Network (@OklahomaLocalSN) November 1, 2024
As the announcer on the losing end, nice effort by Nelson to convey the excitement of the moment. Too often broadcasters on the wrong side of a game-winning play will let their voice fade in disappointment.
Here’s Nelson on the final play of the game, a Hail Mary attempt.
Southern Naz (0-8): 18
Ouachita (8-0): 17Final.
Ouachita follows up their best win in school history with maybe their worst loss in school history 5 days later.
Rex Nelson on the call.#D2FB pic.twitter.com/exykUzQCRa
— Josh Wahls (@joshwahls) November 1, 2024
Nelson is in his 41st season of play-by-play for Ouachita Baptist, making him one of the longest-serving college football announcers in the country. He’s a member of the Arkansas Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame.
[Oklahoma Local Sports Network]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.