What you need to know about the Ouachita/ECU matchup
Ouachita has 3-1 advantage over east Central since joining the GAC. They also lead the all-time series 13-5.

The last time that Ouachita lost a season opener was in 2006. Since then Ouachita has opened the season with a 4-0 record on the road and a 5-0 record at home.

Ouachita begins the season ranked 12^th in the AFCA Preseason Division II Coaches Poll. The Tigers finished the 2014 season ranked ninth in the same poll. Tonight's opponent, ECU received two votes in the 2015 preseason poll.

The first time these two teams played was in 1947. Ouachita won that game (played in El Dorado, Ark.), 6-0.

Ouachita is 6-4 when playing the ECU Tigers on their home field in Ada, Oklahoma. Ouachita's largest margin of victory in Ada was by 14 points in (28-14) in 1990.

Last season's 41-20 win over ECU in Cliff Harris Stadium was the largest margin of victory by either team in the series.
 
Last Season's Recap
Ouachita rushed 78 times for 350 yards. Senior Steven Kehner rushed for 160 yards on 38 carries, crossing the goal line for a career high four touchdowns. Brandon Marks rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.

The Tigers ended the night with 515 yards of total offense on 98 plays. They held East Central to 88 yards rushing in the game. Ouachita was 7-8 in the red zone and 12-20 on third down conversions.

Quarterback Kiehl Frazier finished the game 11-20-0 for 165 yards passing. He rushed 11 times for 105 yards.

Safety Zack Mitchell had four tackles to go along with a career-high 3 interceptions. Ouachita picked off five ECU passes in the game.
 
What to watch for
Quarterback Austin Warford will get his first start under center Ouachita. The redshirt sophomore from Malvern, Ark. played in six games as a freshman. In those games he completed 50 percent of his passes and rushed for 112 yards, including a long of 23 yards.

Junior wideout Ke'Vontae Pope caught four passes in the 2014 contest for 70 yards. Look for those numbers to increase tonight as he slides into the Tigers' primary receiver role. Pope will also have a chance to ignite the Ouachita offense as a kickoff returner. He returned one 58 yards against ECU in the 2014 game.

Brandon Marks from Malvern, Ark. and Kris Oliver from Arkadelphia, Ark. will look to get the Tigers run game established early and often. Marks is an established dual threat in the backfield, gaining 903 total yards in 2014 and finding the end zone nine times. Marks' five receiving touchdowns in 2014 led the team.  

The success of Marks and Oliver will depend greatly on senior tackles Michael Russell of Charleston, Ark., Javin Prunty of Jonesboro, Ark., and senior tight end Johnathan Powell of Searcy, Ark. These all-conference performers will set the edges of the Tigers run offense and allow the backs to earn big yards in Ada.

Senior Waymon Johnson Jr. will be the one to watch on the Tigers defensive line. The senior from Stuttgart, Ark. should have a breakout season in 2015 and be a disruptive force versus GAC opponents. Freshman Tristan Bulice will line up next to Andrew Gendi on the defensive interior.

Seniors Mike Williamson and Kendrick Henderson will look to build on impressive numbers in 2014 as the leaders of the Ouachita linebacker corps. Williamson led the Tigers in his first season at Ouachita in 2014. Also keep an eye on Luke Holt, the sophomore from New Site, Alabama. The Tiger coaching staff expects big things from this transfer in 2015.

Sophomores Shaquille Hunter from Junctiion City, Ark. and Alex Myres from The Woodlands, Texas are the 2015 starting corners. Both possess excellent speed and will look to shut down opponents passing attacks early in games.

Ricardy Joseph of Fort Myers, Fla. Will have big shoes to fill in replacing All-American Zack Mitchell. He'll be lined up alongside Devin Price of Ruston, La in the defensive backfield.

Freshman Cole Antley takes over for Matt Ehasz with the kicking duties. The freshman has a big leg and could provide a lot of points this season for the Tigers. Shelton Wooley returns for his second season as the Tiger punter.  

Media Information

Game Notes

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