ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Ouachita Tigers' football team (3-1) defeated East Central (1-3) by a final score of 45-14 Saturday night in Ada, Okla.
Ouachita jumped out to a 24-6 lead at half-time and never looked back. A strong defensive showing in the second half resulted in two interceptions-returned-for-touchdowns and a blowout victory.
Junior wide receiver Drew Harris scored the opening three touchdowns of the game. Harris ran for his first two touchdowns and then caught a pass from Austin Warford for his second. Harris had 44 yards of total offense.
The Ouachita defense stole the show in the second half by forcing four turnovers, scoring two touchdowns and only allowing eight points from their opponents. Freshman defensive end Austin Guymon and sophomore defensive back Keandre Evans both scored for the defense. Sophomore defensive back Tevin Jones led the team with seven tackles. Senior linebacker Elijah Jones and Guymon each accrued six tackles.
The game began for the Tigers with a 12-play, 75-yard drive which ended in a four-yard touchdown run from Harris. After forcing a punt, Ouachita went on a long 71-yard drive which ended in a one-yard run from Harris. An 18-yard pass from Warford to Harris put the Tigers in a 21-0 lead with just under 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. junior kicker Cole Antley fired from 37 yards to put Ouachita's lead at 24-0 with a minute-and-a-half remaining, but ECU's Noah Holle threw a 13-yard pass as time expired in the half to cut the Ouachita lead to 24-6.a
Ouachita's defense opened the second half on a roll. Keandre Evans returned an interception 54 yards for a touchdown on the first drive of the second half. On East Central's very next possession, senior linebacker Luke Holt intercepted a pass. After a quick Ouachita turnover, Austin Guymon returned an interception 51 yards for a touchdown and gave Ouachita a 38-6 lead.
The big lead gave some of Ouachita's second-team players a chance to play. Sophomore running back Brockton Brown ran from 21 yards out to extend Ouachita's lead to 45-6. East Central scored one last touchdown with five seconds remaining to make the final score 45-14.
The Tigers will look to continue their winning ways next week in Russellville, Ark., against Arkansas Tech. Kick-off is at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Semptember 30.
