Glendale, Ariz.- Trailing 24-9 at the break, Arizona Christian poured in 31 second half points aided by forcing three of the four OUAZ turnovers to complete the 40-38 comeback win over the No. 7 Spirit on Saturday.  Senior Tyler Duncan carried the Firestorm as he accounted for four touchdowns.

Duncan used his arm to pass for 258 yards and two touchdowns while using his legs to account for two touchdowns and a two-point conversion.  Bryce Washington hauled in six catches as Duncan's favorite target.

Twelve tackles each helped Stephaun Peters and Maurice Powell slow the high powered OUAZ offense.  Jordan Francis and Riley Tucker both locked in an interception.  Moses Smith forced two fumbles.

Game Info

• Game score: Arizona Christian - 40, OUAZ - 38
• Records: Arizona Christian- 3-2, 2-2 SAC, OUAZ - 4-1, 4-1 SAC
• NAIA Top 25 Rank: Arizona Christian - not ranked, OUAZ- 7
• Location:  ACU Football Field, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

Offensive Stars

• Duncan - 21-31, 258 passing yards, 2 TD, 2 rushing TD
• Aidan Quinn - rushing TD
• Washington - 6 catches, 112 receiving yards, TD
• James Alcala - receiving TD
• Sean Bailey, Jr. - 39.7 yards punting, one pass completion

Defensive Stars

• Peters - 12 tackles
• Powell- 12 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, forced fumble
• Tucker- 11 tackles, INT
• Francis - 9 tackles, INT
• Smith - 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
• Jake Farrell - 9 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss

Inside The Numbers

• OUAZ turned their opening drive into a touchdown
• Quinn punched in the first ACU points on their second possession
• The Spirit delivered two touchdowns and a first half clock expiring field goal
• Nestor Higuera mixed in a 41-yard field goal for 24-9 half time score
• Three plays into the second half, Tucker made a diving interception before three plays later Duncan outraced everyone to the corner of the endzone
• A Francis interception turned into a Duncan to Alcala touchdown
• The ACU defense denied OUAZ on a fourth down attempt
• Play one of the fourth quarter saw Bailey fake a punt and complete a pass to Tucker for a first down
• On the very next play, Duncan went over the top to Washington for a TD before cashing in a two-point conversion for a 31-31 tie
• Just after a fumble at the goal line, Powell and Tucker denied a rushing attempt out of the endzone for a safety
• A strip sack fumble gave ACU the ball at the OUAZ five and Duncan called his own number into the endzone
• All second half OUAZ turnovers resulted in ACU points
• Clinging to a two-point lead and the Spirit driving at the ACU 39, the Firestorm defense stepped up to deny OUAZ (a no gain run and three incompletions) to lock up the win
• The 15-point deficit was the fourth biggest deficit ever overcome by ACU

Thoughts from Coach Bowen

"What an amazing effort by the Firestorm.  I am so proud of the effort in all phases of the game.  Everybody that touched the field tonight contributed.  It was a great team win that we expected to have all week.  We were not surprised by the win.  We are a quality football team that can beat anybody in the country if we are on our game.  I am so proud of our guys!"

Up Next

Next Saturday, Arizona Christian will host Lyon at 7:00 pm.