ARKADELPHIA – The 12th-ranked Ouachita Baptist University football team celebrated Senior Day with a 55-14 win over Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday at Cliff Harris Stadium.
The win was highlighted by two takeaways on special teams, three interceptions on defense, and 340 rushing yards led by four touchdowns from junior running back
Kendel Givens.
With Ouachita up 7-0 following Givens' first touchdown midway through the first quarter, Oklahoma Baptist (6-4) fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which was followed two plays later by Givens' second touchdown.
The Bison scored on the next drive, but were held scoreless until the fourth quarter, while Ouachita built a 31-7 lead at halftime and a 45-7 advantage heading into the fourth. Ouachita's reserves played most of the third and fourth quarters.
The Tiger punt team earned another takeaway in the game on a muff that was recovered at the OKB five-yard line. That later resulted in three points from kicker
Gabe Goodman, who had two field goals and seven extra points in the win. His seven extra points on Saturday against the Bison makes him 54-for-54 this season, which ties Ouachita's single-season record set twice previously by Cole Antley in 2017 and 2018.
Ouachita's defense came up with three interceptions in the win, one each from
Dawson Miller,
Josiah Johnson, and
Mario Ganter, Jr.
The Tiger offense outgained the Bison 499-311, including a 340-84 edge in rushing. Givens finished the game with 22 carries for a career-high 199 yards and four touchdowns, and has now tied Cole Antley's Ouachita career scoring record with 372 points.
Boogie Carr had seven carries for 61 yards and one touchdown.
Isaac Edwards had nine carries for 29 yards and one touchdown.
Eli Livingston had seven carries for 27 yards and one touchdown. Livingston was 13-for-19 passing for 157 yards.
Connor Flannigan was his favorite target with seven catches for 69 yards.
The win moves Ouachita to 9-1 this season, marking the ninth time in program history with at least nine victories.
Ouachita now shifts its focus to the 96th Battle of the Ravine next Saturday, November 11 at home against cross-street rival Henderson State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Cliff Harris Stadium.
