ARKADELPHIA – The fifth-ranked Ouachita Baptist University football team had its 2019 season come to an end on Saturday at home in a 41-38 shootout loss to Lindenwood University in the opening round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

The Tigers (11-1) and Lions (9-3) combined for 927 yards of total offense. The Tigers ran 63 offensive plays for 482 yards of total offense, averaging 7.7 yards per snap. The Lions countered with 69 plays for 445 yards, an average of 6.4 yards per play.
  
THE BASICS
Score: Lindenwood 41, Ouachita 38
Records:  Lions (9-3), Tigers (11-1)
Date: Saturday, November 23, 2019 | 1 p.m. Kickoff | TOG: 2:35
Location: Cliff Harris Stadium (Arkadelphia, AR) | Attendance: 4,689
Series: Lindenwood now leads 1-0.


HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After taking a touchback on the opening kickoff, the Lions scored first on a field goal at the end of a 17-play, 71-yard drive that used just under six minutes. LU's Brett Garner connected on a 21-yarder from the left hash, his seventh made field goal of the season.
• The Tigers answered quickly on the ensuing possession. After a 15-yard kickoff return by senior Allie Freeman, senior running back Brockton Brown found on a seam on the LU sideline for a 72-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage. It was a career-long for Brown. Freshman Gabe Goodman added an extra point to put the Tigers up 7-3 with 8:58 remaining in the first.
• Lindenwood answered on the next drive and took a 10-7 lead on a 14-yard touchdown keeper by quarterback Cade Brister to cap a seven-play, 78-yard drive that used 2:35.
• The Tigers closed the first-quarter scoring by regaining the lead at the 4:09 mark on a 12-yard touchdown run by Brockton Brown to cap a five-play, 74-yard drive that used 2:08.
• Ouachita took a two-score lead early in the second quarter on a nine-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Brayden Brazeal to sophomore Hayden Waller to cap a 13-play, 66-yard drive that used 7:06. The Tigers led 21-10 at that point.
• The Lions capped the first-half scoring on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Brister to Erik Henneman with 6:34 remaining before half to cap a seven-play, 65-yard drive that used 3:45. Ouachita led Lindenwood 21-17 at the halftime break.
• The second half scoring started with the Lions taking a 24-21 lead on a four-yard touchdown run by Nash Sutherlin with 11:02 remaining in the third to cap a seven-play, 63-yard drive that used 2:43.
• The Tigers answered to take a 28-24 lead at the 7:31 mark of the third on Brockton Brown's third rushing touchdown of the game, this time from four yards out to cap an eight-play, 75-yard drive that used 3:31.
• LU had the final score of the third quarter with 1:07 on the clock, taking a 31-28 lead on a 22-yard touchdown pass from Brister to Glen Gibbons to cap a 13-play, 75-yard drive that used 6:17.
• The shootout continued in the fourth quarter with Ouachita striking first at the 12:25 mark. Brazeal found Waller wide open down the Tiger sideline for a 47-yard touchdown pass to put the home team back on top 35-31.
• Lindenwood answered on the ensuing kickoff when Spencer Redd weaved through the OBU coverage unit for a 97-yard return for a touchdown to give the Lions a 38-35 lead with 12:07 remaining.
• Ouachita's freshman kicker Goodman tied the score at 38-all with 6:02 remaining with a 22-yard field goal to cap a 12-play, 55-yard drive that used 6:01.
• The Lions put what ended up being the game-winning points on the board with 1:24 remaining in the fourth on a 30-yard field goal by Brett Garner to cap a 10-play, 62-yard drive that used 4:38.
• The stage was set for a potential come-from-behind score once again for the Tigers. Following a kickoff return to the Ouachita 42-yard line, Brazeal connected with freshman receiver Keemontrae McKnight on a pass to the sideline for 14-yards, but on the next play, Brazeal was picked off by LU's Jordan Perry on a long pass down the same sideline to seal the victory.

 
OFFENSIVE NOTEABLES:

• For the 10th time in his Ouachita career, Brockton Brown had at least two rushing touchdowns in a game. He finished with 20 carries for 161 yards and three touchdowns. It was the seventh game of his career with three rushing scores.
• Through the air, Brazeal finished 17-for-22 with 204 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He was sacked twice.
• Brazeal's favorite target was Freeman, who hauled in nine catches for 77 yards.
• Waller added five receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns, the first two scores of his Tiger career.
• LU's Brister finished the game with 367 yards of total offense. He was 28-for-36 through the air for 273 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, he led the Lions with 94 yards on 18 carries and one touchdown.
• Brister's favorite target was Nash Sutherlin, who had eight receptions for 76 yards.

 
DEFENSIVE NOTEABLES:

• Junior linebacker Hunter White led the Tigers with 12 total tackles in the loss. Senior Keandre Evans added 10.
• Senior defensive lineman LaFoy Smith had Ouachita's only sack in the game, giving his 7.5 sacks this season.
• LU's Grady Daniels posted 11 tackles. Tayvian Weary had eight.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTEABLES:

• Ouachita's Goodman was 5-for-5 on extra points in addition to his 22-yard field goal.
• LU's Brett Garner book-ended the game's scoring with field goals early in the first and late in the fourth. He was also 5-for-5 on extra points.
   

OTHER NOTEABLES:

• Lindenwood advances to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs and will travel to Maryville, Missouri next Saturday, November 30 to face off against Northwest Missouri State. The Bearcats defeated Harding 7-6 in the first round.