Glendale, Ariz.- With under a minute to play in the first half, Arizona Christian took their first lead of the game against Mayville State on Saturday.  The Firestorm held off the Comets through a scoreless second half to earn their first win of the season.

The Firestorm had a completely balanced attack with 171 yards both through the air and on the ground.  Josh Bell tossed one touchdown and ran for another score.  Ty Cole cashed in what turned out to be the game winning touchdown.

Jakwon Lamb grabbed his third interception of the season to ice the game in the final minute.  Max McDowell forced and recovered a fumble deep in Firestorm territory earlier in the fourth quarter.

Game Info

• Game score: Arizona Christian - 21, Mayville State - 20
• Records: Arizona Christian- 1-2, Mayville State - 3-2
• Location:  Jerome Berg Field, Mayville State University, Mayville, ND

Offensive Stars

• Bell - 12-17, 171 yards passing, TD, rushing TD
• Cole - 16 carries, 100 yards, TD
• Nate Pele-Tukumoeatu - TD catch
• William Galvan - 82 receiving yards, 35 rushing yards
• Jordyn Bowers - 61 kickoff return yards

Defensive Stars

• McDowell - 9 tackles, forced fumble, recovered fumble
• Cam Sanderlin - 9 tackles
• Lamb- 5 tackles, INT
• Lealofi Chanwong - sack
• Charles Mason - 5 tackles
• Kellen Palm - 5 tackles

Inside The Numbers

• The Comets turned the opening drive of the game into a touchdown
• ACU's second possession covered 91 yards in four plays highlighted by Bell connecting for 48 yards to Galvan and a 22 yard touchdown toss to Pele-Tukumoeatu
• MSU returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and 14-7 lead
• A drive that started in the first quarter and ended in the second quarter needed 15 plays to milk 7:21 off the clock
• Bell scrambled for nine yards into the end zone to cap the drive
• The Comets went back in front 20-14 but missed the extra (the ultimate difference in the game)
• With 57 seconds left in the first half, Galvan punched in the game tying six points and Franklin Wilcox added the game winning extra point
• After the teams accounted for six touchdowns including a combined five possessions in a row in the first half, neither team found the scoreboard again
• Following an interception deep in their own end, McDowell stepped up to force and recover a fumble at the ACU 15
• Clinging to the one point lead, ACU had to make one last stop as MSU started their final drive with 2:19 remaining in the game
• Lamb locked up the win when he out jumped a MSU receiver to secure the interception with 49 ticks remaining

Thoughts from Coach Bowen
"I am very proud of a full team effort.  The offense did what it needed to do to score points and the defense had key stops in the fourth quarter. They keep working hard and keep getting a little better each week.  We are really looking forward to next week and another new challenge!"

Up Next
Next Saturday, Arizona Christian will be back home to host NAIA number 18 ranked Carroll College.  Kickoff will come at the ACU traditional time of 7:03 pm.