ARKADELPHIA, Ark. –The Ouachita Tiger's football team traveled to Shawnee, Okla., Saturday to face Great American Conference rival Oklahoma Baptist. The Tigers defeated the Bison by a final score of 51-28. Freshman running back Shun'cee Thomas led the offense with 134 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, while junior linebacker Elijah Jones led the defense with 11 total tackles. The win brought the Tigers' record to 6-4 and ensured the Tigers a ninth straight winning season.
The Tigers accrued 393 yards of total offense, with 240 of those yards coming on the ground. Quarterback Lucas Reed went had nine completions on 16 attempts and threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Allie Freeman had over 100 yards of total offense and two total touchdowns. The Ouachita defense had eight tackles for loss in the game and halted three Oklahoma Baptist drives scoreless in the redzone.
Oklahoma Baptist started the game with the football, but were forced to punt after only three plays. Ouachita fielded the punt, but it's second offensive play, quarterback Lucas Reed threw an interception. Senior defensive back D'Ante Meeking took the interception 34 yards for a touchdown.
After the initial Bison touchdown, Ouachita dominated the first quarter by scoring 21 unanswered points. The ensuing drive saw the Tigers move the ball 75 yards in 10 plays, culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Lucas Reed to Lamar Haynes to tie the game at 7-7. Just 15 seconds later, Ouachita defensive back Jordan Jones forced a fumble and Xavier Johnson recovered the fumble and ran 29 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers forced a three-and-out on the next Oklahoma Baptist drive and received the football at their own 37 yard-line. The Tigers' offense took seven plays to drive 67 yards for a touchdown. Freshman wide receiver Allie Freeman took a hand-off at the 17 yard-line and took the ball in for a touchdown. Ouachita led 21-7 with 3:17 remaining in the first quarter.
After a missed field goal attempt by Oklahoma Baptist on its following possession, Ouachita took control of the ball and drove 68 yards in just four plays. Freshman running back Shun'cee Thomas ran 77 yards to the Bison one yard-line, however the Tigers were unable to punch the ball into the end zone in three attempts. Sophomore kicker Cole Antley made a 27-yard field goal with 13:25 remaining in the second quarter to extend Ouachita's lead to 24-7.
Both teams traded possessions before Oklahoma Baptist went on a six-play touchdown drive that covered 56 yards. The drive was capped off with an eight yard pass from Dezmond Stegall to Stephan Turner. The touchdown cut Ouachita's lead to 24-14 with only 2:12 remaining in the first half. Neither team was able to score for the remainder of the half, with Oklahoma Baptist missing a 23-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
Ouachita received the second half kick-off and scored a touchdown on the inaugural possession of the second half. The Tigers covered 57 yards in just four plays, 25 of which were made by Shun'cee Thomas on the culminating touchdown run. Ouachita led 31-14 with 13:19 remaining in the third quarter. Ouachita forced Oklahoma Baptist to punt after just three plays on the next drive and took over on its own 25 yard-line for the next possession. The Tigers covered the 75 yards ahead of them in just 5 plays. The drive was capped off by a 58-yard touchdown reception by Allie Freeman. Antley missed the following PAT to make the score 37-14 with 9:31 remaining in the third quarter.
Oklahoma Baptist scored quickly with a 62-yard touchdown pass on the next drive to make the score 37-21 with 8:55 remaining in the third quarter. After trading three-and-out's, Ouachita went on a six play, 46-yard touchdown drive. The drive was completed with a 25-yard touchdown rush by Shun'cee Thomas. The Tigers led Oklahoma Baptist by a score of 44-21 with 3:15 remaining in the third quarter.
Neither Ouachita or Oklahoma Baptist could score on their next two possessions. Oklahoma Baptist's Stephan Turner ended the drought by catching a 14-yard touchdown pass with 7:24remaining in the competition. The touchdown put a bow on a 14 play, 91-yard drive that took over five minutes off the game clock. Ouachita returned the ensuing kick-off to the 40 yard-line, where it began a 5 play drive that ended in a six-yard touchdown run from Drew Harris. The score gave Ouachita a 51-28 lead with 3:37remaining in the game. Junior defensive back Jamorien Hill intercepted a pass on the next drive, and Ouachita lined up in the victory formation to finish the game.
The Tigers will make the short road trip next week to Henderson State. The game will kick-off at 1 p.m. on November 12.?
