OUAZ Defense Posts Shutout in 27-0 Victory Over Langston

Ottawa University Arizona controlled the scoreboard from beginning to end, defeating Langston 27-0 behind four scoring drives and a defense that kept the Lions out of the end zone for the entire game.

Langston opened the game with the football and moved from its own 21-yard line into OUAZ territory. The Spirit defense stopped the drive when Steele Wasel fumbled, giving OUAZ possession near midfield.

OUAZ later broke through with a 10-play, 54-yard scoring drive late in the opening quarter. Luke Giron connected with Jeremiah Ballard for 16 yards to reach the Langston 4-yard line before a defensive offside penalty moved the ball to the 2. Giron finished the drive himself with a 2-yard touchdown run with 1:13 remaining. Eric Cline converted the extra point to give OUAZ a 7-0 lead.

The Spirit added another touchdown in the second quarter. Starting from their own 41, Giron completed passes to Rylan Stevison and Ballard as OUAZ moved into Langston territory. A 16-yard completion to Dyontae Navarrete and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Langston helped move the Spirit inside the 15.

On third-and-goal from the 3, Giron found Frankie Valentino for the touchdown with 8:50 remaining in the half. Cline's extra point increased the lead to 14-0.

OUAZ threatened again late in the second quarter, reaching the Langston 11 before Mason Johnson intercepted Giron in the end zone and returned the ball 21 yards.

Langston attempted to capitalize before halftime, but OUAZ's defense continued applying pressure. Kenny White recorded a sack for a seven-yard loss during the Lions' final extended possession of the half.

The Spirit regained possession with 20 seconds remaining and quickly moved to the Langston 2 following a 20-yard completion from Giron to Valentino, but the half expired with OUAZ holding its 14-0 advantage.

OUAZ received the second-half kickoff and immediately extended the lead.

Giron opened the drive with an 11-yard run before later finding Valentino for 19 yards on third-and-11. The Spirit continued moving on the ground until Kendric Smith broke through for a 27-yard touchdown run with 11:45 remaining in the third quarter. Cline converted his third extra point, pushing OUAZ ahead 21-0.

Langston responded with one of its strongest drives of the game, reaching the OUAZ 16. The Spirit defense held again, stopping Charles Carter for six yards on fourth-and-11 and forcing a turnover on downs.

Penalties disrupted portions of the second half for both teams, but OUAZ continued protecting the shutout.

Langston entered the fourth quarter still searching for its first points. The Lions reached the OUAZ 15 early in the period, but a fourth-down completion to Carter resulted in a two-yard loss and another turnover on downs.

Langston soon received another opportunity when Savella Greer recovered a Dyontae Navarrete fumble at the OUAZ 25.

The Lions moved all the way to the OUAZ 1-yard line, putting the Spirit's shutout under its greatest pressure of the night. OUAZ responded at the goal line.

Shamar Adams and Labarron Kennedy Jr. stopped Carter for a two-yard loss on first-and-goal. Kennedy Jr. and Alex Cordova then held Carter to no gain. Following a Langston false start, consecutive incomplete passes on third and fourth down ended the threat and preserved the shutout.

OUAZ took possession at its own 8 with 7:16 remaining and responded with a 12-play, 92-yard touchdown drive.

Giron connected with Isaiah Dickerson for 13 yards before Dickerson added a 16-yard run. Navarrete later gained 15 yards to midfield, setting up a series of runs by Jelani Guerrero.

Guerrero broke runs of 23 and 21 yards to move OUAZ inside the Langston 10. On third-and-goal from the 4, Guerrero finished the drive with a four-yard touchdown run with 1:01 remaining.

Cline's extra-point attempt hit the upright and was unsuccessful, leaving OUAZ with its final 27-0 advantage.

Langston ran one final play before time expired, completing the shutout for the Spirit.

Following the game, senior defensive back J'Vier Johnson credited OUAZ's preparation and coaching staff for helping the Spirit remain composed throughout the victory.

Johnson said the team entered the game after giving "110%" during the week of practice and knew it needed to execute on both sides of the football to secure the win and protect the shutout.

The second half brought repeated penalties and stoppages, but Johnson said OUAZ's coaches kept the players level-headed despite the disrupted rhythm.

"Our coaches always keep us level-headed," Johnson said. "I give kudos to the coaches in keeping us level-headed throughout the second half."

OUAZ ultimately finished what its defense started, keeping Langston scoreless through four quarters and walking away with a 27-0 victory.