#5 Ouachita Tigers (0-0) vs. #18 Harding Bisons (0-0)
September 5, 2019 | 7pm | Arkadelphia, Ark. | Cliff Harris Stadium
 
 
ARKADELPHIA, Ark.—The Ouachita Baptist University Tiger football team is set to kick-off the 2019 season against Great American Conference rival Harding University this Thursday, September 5^th at Cliff Harris Stadium in Arakdelphia, Ark. The game will be streamed live on the watchESPN App as well as ESPN.com as the game is the first DII football showcase of the season.
 
Coming off a historic 12-1 season, and a deep playoff run, the 5^th nationally ranked Tigers bring back reigning Freshman of the Year Brayden Brazeal. Seniors Allie Freeman, Shun'cee Thomas, and Brockton Brown are a part of eight starters that will return on the offensive side of the ball. On the defensive end the Tigers returning nine, including the entire secondary led by Cliff Harris Award Finalist, Keandre Evans. During the 2018 regular season, Ouachita was ranked first nationally in Scoring defense (9.6) and first in the GAC in turnovers gained. The defense also led in red-zone defense and Interceptions (19).
 
Harding, ranked 18^th nationally, will return 11 starters--seven on offense and four on defense
--from last year's 9-3 team. The Bisons have won eight of their last 10 season openers.
 
Ouachita was picked first in the Great American Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll with Harding picked second.
 
Last season, Ouachita defeated Harding 7-3 after a Shun'cee Thomas 19-yard touchdown with 9:22 to play in the 4^th quarter. The Ouachita defense rejected the Harding offense on a goal-line stand as time expired. This will be the first time that Harding and Ouachita have met in a week one matchup.
 
The Tigers are looking to start the season 1-0 for the 12th consecutive season. They have had 11 straight winning seasons, the most of any team in the State of Arkansas.
 
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