Ouachita Game Notes
Harding Game Notes 

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The No. 6/7 Ouachita Tigers and No. 19/15 Harding Bison's will meet for the 58^th consecutive year on Saturday afternoon when the Tigers travel up to Searcy to battle for the Traveling Trophy.

A win on Saturday for the Tigers will give Ouachita their first 6-0 start since the 2014 season and it will be the third time this decade they have accomplished that feat. Speaking of this decade, a win on Saturday will also give Ouachita their 65^th win since the 2010 season. That number breaks a tie with the Tiger football teams of the 1970s that hold the record for most wins in a decade.

Harding (4-1) currently holds the All-Time lead in the series 32-23-4 and a 4-3 mark since the formation of the Great American Conference. A Bison win will also give Harding a three game winning streak over the Tigers, their longest since the late 1990s.

Fans should be ready to see an old school football game between the two rivals. Both schools bring smash mouth defenses and top-10 nationally ranked rushing offenses. Harding ranks first in the nation with 332 yards per game, while Ouachita ranks tenth in the country with 284 yards per contest.

Last season the Bisons ended Ouachita's five game homecoming winning streak with a 31-28 victory. The loss sparked a fire in the Tigers as they finished the regular undefeated and a trip to the NCAA Playoffs.

Only one team so far this season has been able to hold Harding under the 40-point threshold. Southern Arkansas took advantage of a Sunday afternoon matchup after severe thunderstorms prompted the move from Saturday night. The Muleriders held Harding to just 283 yards of total offense and outscored the Bison 21-6 in the second half.

Ouachita will need to get off to a great start against a Harding offense that is known for long methodical drives. The Tigers so far this have outscored their opponents 35-7 in the opening quarter and 103-17 in the first half.

Last weekend Ouachita defeated Arkansas Tech 24-7 on Homecoming Saturday. The win improved the Tigers record to 6-2 in homecoming games this decade. Ouachita defensive back Keandre Evans (Junction City, Ark.) had a game to remember making 10 tackles, 2 pass break ups, two interceptions and a highlight reel 103-yard touchdown.

The last interception ended Tech's hopes of coming back in the game and the play has been seen all over the internet and national media outlets. The GAC named Evans Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts; Evans joins teammate Airric Parker (San Diego, Calif.) as the second Player of the Week from Ouachita this season.  

Ouachita will lean heavily on their three upperclassmen running backs Kris Oliver (Arkadelphia, Ark.), Shun'cee Thomas (Bossier City, La.) and Brockton Brown (Sheridan, Ark.). Oliver is currently averaging 83.8 yards per game and has six touchdowns on the season. Thomas is an explosive threat that can take the ball to the house every time he touches the ball. The Louisiana native is currently averaging 70 yards per game and is currently second in the GAC with 7.1 yards per carry. Brown, meanwhile, has become to the go to man in goal line situations. The Sheridan native has scored seven touchdowns this season, including three against East Central.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Brayden Brazeal (England, Ark.) has become one of the more efficient signal callers in the league. Brazeal currently ranks third in the GAC in completion percentage at 62 percent. Brazeal averages 123 passing yards and 52 rushing yards per game, the Natural State native has yet to throw an interception this season.

The Tigers no-fly zone defense will look to help defend the run this week against Harding. The Ouachita pass defense has accumulated 11 interceptions, 28 pass break ups, and two touchdowns this season. The Tigers rush defense is currently holding opponents to just 124 yards per game. Defensive linemen Dameyun McDonald (Helena, Ark.) and Ernest Reed (El Dorado, Ark.) will be looking to wreak havoc on the Harding offensive line, so linebackers Austin Guymon (Little Rock, Ark.) and Jon Johnson (Haskell, Ark.) can get to the Harding running backs.  

Harding is coming off a 47-21 road victory against Arkansas-Monticello. Harding rushed for 357 yards and six rushing touchdowns in the victory over the Boll Weevils. The

Harding's rushing attack is led by Tristan Tucker, Cole Chancey and Preston Paden. Harding has currently outscored opponents 69-7 in the first quarter and 130-28 in the opening half.

The game will kick-off tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. in Searcy. If you are unable to attend the game, be sure to log onto obutigers.com to find all the links to watch and listen to Rex Nelson call the game. For all the latest news on Ouachita football be sure to follow the official social media accounts of Ouachita Athletics and Ouachita Football.