ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - The Ouachita Tigers football team suffered their first loss of the 2016 at the hands of Southeastern Oklahoma State by a final of 45-38. Despite 545 yards of total offense, the Tigers could not overcome three second-quarter fumbles, including one in the red zone. Junior quarterback Austin Warford finished the game 260 yards passing and 174 yards rushing.

Ouachita jumped out to an early 10-0 lead in the first quarter. After a Cole Antley field goal put the Tigers up 3-0. senior running back Brandon Marks scored on a 4-yard run to make it 10-0. Ouachita finished the first quarter with 138 rushing yards, 111 of those coming from Warford on four carries.

Southeastern cut the Ouachita lead to 10-7 to start the the second quarter on a touchdown pass of 60 yards. Southeastern scored touchdowns of of two straight Ouachita turnovers and then recovered a late second quarter onside kick with just over seven minutes left in the first half. A field goal of 22 yards gave Southeastern a 24-10 lead the half. 

After a Southeastern touchdown drive opened the third quarter, the Tigers scored on a 21-yard run by senior wideout Ke'Vontae Pope. The drive was set up by an interception by defensive lineman Waymon Johnson Jr. Another Southeastern touchdown left the Tigers trailing 38-17 with 6:46 remaining in the third quarter. Running backs Kris Oliver and Brandon Marks scored rushing touchdowns on back-to-back possessions to cut the Southeastern lead to seven. Heading into the fourth quarter, Ouachita trailed 38-31.

After forcing a Southeastern punt, the Tigers drove 72 yards on their first fourth-quarter possession but ame away empty after a missed field-goal attempt of 31 yards. Southeastern scored on the ensuing drive to take a 45-31 lead. Ouachita scored it's final touchdown with 47 seconds remaining in the game when Warford completed a 64-yard pass play to Drew Harris. The catch gave Harris 111 receiving yards in the game. A failed onside kick attempt would end the game with Ouachita falling by a final of 45-38. 

Ouachita will return home to face Southwestern Oklahoma State on Sept. 17. Kickoff at Cliff Harris Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m.