SEARCY, Arkansas – The fifth-ranked Ouachita Baptist University football had its 18-game Great American Conference win streak snapped on Saturday night on the road by ninth-ranked Harding with a final score of 41-10.
The turning point of the game was when the Bisons (7-0) forced and recovered a Tiger fumble late in the third quarter and then scored three plays later to take the game's first two-score lead at 20-10. After Ouachita (6-1) had a field goal blocked on its next drive, Harding responded with a five-play, 58-yard drive capped by a touchdown to take a 27-10 lead with 11:13 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Bisons added on two touchdowns in the final four minutes to finalize the scoring.
Ouachita was unable to get a touchdown off turnovers in the first half, despite forcing and recovering a fumble on the game's opening possession and then later getting an interception by
Steven Weston early in the second quarter. Following that interception, the Tigers scored their first points on a 45-yard field goal by
Gabe Goodman with 8:23 remaining before halftime.
Riley Harms gave Ouachita its only touchdown of the game on the first drive of the second half with a two-yard rushing touchdown to cap a 10-play, 75-yard drive.
The Bisons outgained the Tigers 427-231. All 427 of Harding's yards came on the ground.
Kendel Givens had a big game for the Tigers with 23 carries for 146 yards.
Kenta Jones,
Josiah Johnson, and
Jax Miller all reached double-digits in tackles with 12, 10, and 10, respectively.
Ouachita will back in action next Saturday, October 21 at home against Arkansas Tech. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Cliff Harris Stadium.
