ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Ouachita Tiger football team suffered their third loss of the year, falling to Arkansas Tech by a final of 49-17. Allie Freeman caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season and running back Barry Bennett scored his first of the year. Xavier Johnson led the defense with seven tackles.

Quarterback Lucas Reed made his first start for the Tigers in place of the injured Austin Warford. Reed went 14-32-0 for 182 yards and the touchdown pass to Freeman. He also carried the ball six times for 34 yards.

The Tigers took an early 3-0 lead on their opening drive behind a 23-yard field goal by Cole Antley. Tech answered with a touchdown on the ensuing drive and led 7-3 at the end of the quarter. Back-to-back three and outs by the Tigers turned into 14 Tech points, giving the Wonder Boys a 21-3 lead with 6:25 remaining in the first half.

A pass interference call on Tech put the Tigers on the visitor's 31 yard line. On a second and ten, Reed found Freeman in the corner of the end zone to give Ouachita their first touchdown of the game. Tech scored their third touchdown of the quarter with 40 seconds remaining and led 28-10 at the half.

Ouachita's Jon Johnson forced a Tech fumble to start the second half and it was recovered by linebacker Elijah Jones. The Tigers' drive would end when Tech stopped the Tigers on a fourth and goal at their two yard line.  The Wonder Boys took a 35-10 lead on a two-yard touchdown run.

A blocked field goal attempt on the Tigers next drive was returned 71 yards and the Wonder Boys extended their lead to 42-10 at the end of the third quarter. Trailing 49-10, the Tigers started their final drive on their own 47 yard line.  On a second and five, Barry Bennet broke free on the near sideline and scampered 38 yards for the final touchdown of the game.

The Tigers would fall by a final of 49-17 and go to 3-3 on the season. The Tigers will face Southern Arkansas next weekend at Cliff Harris Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon.