ARKADLEPHIA, Ark. – The Ouachita Tigers' football team (4-2) lost to the Harding Bison (3-3) at home Saturday afternoon by a final score of 31-28.
 
The Tigers were unable to stop Harding's triple-option offense as the Bison ran for 348 yards and found all four of their touchdowns on the ground.
 
Despite marching down the field and scoring a touchdown with 2:12 remaining to cut the Harding lead to three, the Tigers were unable to recover an onside kick and then stop Harding's offense from picking up a first down, which effectively ended the game.
 
The Tiger offense was relatively balanced on the afternoon. The team consistently found big passing plays to put itself in position for short touchdown runs. Ouachita's Austin Warford threw for 243 yards and a touchdown on the game while running for 65 yards. Junior running back Kris Oliver ran the ball 14 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Allie Freeman caught six passes for 114 yards and a touchdown.
 
The Tiger defense had a bit of difficulty stopping the triple option, but was led by defensive back Shaq Hunter who had nine total tackles. Middle linebacker Elijah Jones accumulated seven tackles in the game.
 
Ouachita opened the game with the football, but was unable to make anything of their possession as they punted the ball away after just five plays. Harding's offense came out firing on their first possession as a 53-yard run from fullback Cole Chancey put them in prime field position and a 30-yard run from quarterback Terrence Dingle on third-and-20 gave the Bison an early 7-0 lead.
 
After failing to recover a Harding onside kick, the Tigers made a defensive stop and got to put together a drive of their own. After nine plays, the Tigers finished off their 42-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown rush from Kris Oliver. The score was tied at seven with just over 12 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
 
Harding ran for a two-yard touchdown to take the lead with just under nine minutes remaining in the second quarter, but Ouachita responded on their next drive with a few big pass plays from Warford to Freeman. The drive ended with a one-yard scoop pass from Warford to Freeman.
 
Harding's next offensive possession featured a long run which brought the team into Ouachita territory, but the Ouachita defense was able to stand strong and force a 50-yard field goal attempt which was converted by Tristan Parsley to give Harding a 17-14 lead heading into halftime.
 
The third quarter featured a few scoreless drives by both teams, but Harding was finally able to break through with 3:32 remaining by scoring on a three-yard Terrance Dingle touchdown run.
 
Ouachita responded to Harding's touchdown by launching a nine-play, 74-yard drive which was highlighted by a 30-yard scramble from Austin Warford. Kris Oliver capped off the drive with a five-yard touchdown run to cut Harding's lead to 24-21 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
On Harding's next possession, they went on a 10-play, 75-yard drive to score a 4-yard rushing touchdown and extend their lead to 10 with just under 10-and-a-half minutes left in the game.
 
Ouachita came out on their next drive and found great field position thanks to a 48-yard pass from Warford to Drew Harris. They were unable to convert on their field position, however, as kicker Cole Antley uncharacteristically pushed a 35-yard field goal wide left. The miss would prove to be costly as the Tigers finished the game with a three-point deficit.
 
The defense was able to come up with a stop and give the Tiger offense the ball back and Warford led a 88-yard touchdown drive in under two minutes to cut the Harding lead to three, however the defense was unable to make a stop and the Bison were able to run down the clock and finish the game with a win.
 
The Tigers will travel to Bethany, Okla., on Thursday to face Southern Nazarene. Kick-off will be at 6 p.m.