ARKADELPHIA – Henderson State played keep away to beat 10th-ranked Ouachita by a final score of 31-27 on Saturday at Cliff Harris Stadium in the 96th Battle of the Ravine.
With its win, HSU snaps Ouachita's six-game win streak in the rivalry and moves the series closer to even at 46-44-6 in favor of the Tigers.
The Reddies (9-2) ended the game with 39:35 in the time of possession category, more than 19 minutes more than the Tigers (9-2) with at 20:25. HSU used a high-percentage of third down conversions to keep its offensive unit on the field at 13-for-18.
HSU pulled away in the third quarter with 11 minutes of possession and a 14-0 edge in scoring to lead 28-13 heading into the final quarter. It was more of the same in the fourth with the Reddies holding possession for 11 minutes.
The Tigers rallied in the final five minutes, getting a rushing touchdown from
Eli Livingston with 1:38 remaining to cap a 12-play, 77-yard drive that used 2:46. A two-point conversion pass from Livingston to
Connor Flannigan made it a 10-point game at 31-21.
On the ensuing kickoff, Ouachita successfully converted an onside kick by
Gabe Goodman, recovered by
Trey Proctor. The Tigers then marched 50 yards in five plays capped with another score by Livingston. A missed extra point made it 31-27 with 44 seconds remaining.
Another onside kick attempt followed with HSU recovering this time and then running out the clock for the win.
Highlights of the game for Ouachita included a trio of school records broken with
Riley Harms now holding the single-season passing touchdowns record with 22,
Gabe Goodman now holding the single-season extra point record with 55, and
Kendel Givens now holding the Ouachita career scoring record with 378 points.
