RUSSELLVILLE, Arkansas – The fifth-ranked Ouachita Baptist University football team moved to 8-0 for the fifth time in program history with a 38-7 road victory over Arkansas Tech University on Saturday.
The Tigers jumped out to a quick lead with touchdowns on their first three offensive drives, while the defense forced five consecutive three-and-outs and had an interception on Tech's sixth drive. The Tiger defense held the Wonder Boy offense to negative six yards in their first five possessions.
Kendel Givens scored three rushing touchdowns in the win with the first two coming on Ouachita's first two offensive possessions. A 21-yard punt return from
Connor Flannigan set the Tigers up for a short scoring drive early in the first quarter. That was capped by a one-yard score by Givens. After forcing another three-and-out, Ouachita got the ball back three minutes later and then marched 61 yards on six plays capped by a 23-yard touchdown run by Givens.
Quarterback
Nate TenBarge put the Tigers up 21-0 in the final minute of the first quarter with a 25-yard touchdown run to cap a seven-play, 54-yard drive.
The Tigers were held scoreless in the second quarter with two punts and a missed field goal.
TenBarge added his second rushing touchdown of the game late in the third quarter, this time from two yards out to cap a seven-play, 76-yard drive.
Tech (4-4) put together an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive to start the fourth quarter, capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass.
Ouachita finalized the scoring with a touchdown and a field goal in the fourth quarter. Givens recorded his third score early in the fourth to cap a four-play, 44-yard drive. Backup kicker
Lucas Wilbur got in on the scoring with his first career field goal, a 30-yarder with six minutes remaining in the game. Wilbur also had two extra point kicks in the win.
Ouachita ended with a 323-277 lead in total offense, including a 195-100 edge in rushing. Givens finished with 14 carries for 87 yards and three scores. TenBarge finished with eight carries for 59 yards and two scores. Through the air, TenBarge was 12-for-21 for 128 yards.
Connor Flannigan had 90 receiving yards and 64 punt return yards.
Carter McElhany had 48 receiving yards and 52 kickoff return yards.
The Tiger defense had 11 tackles for a combined loss of 42 yards in the win, including four sacks for 26 yards, and also collected five pass breakups and five quarterback hurries.
Jax Miller led overall with nine tackles.
Dawson Miller added six.
Mikey Gonzalez added five tackles and three quarterback hurries.
Chance Taylor had two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Steven Weston helped negate a 68-yard drive for Tech with an interception in the endzone late in the second quarter.
Ouachita now looks ahead to its final home game of the regular season this upcoming Thursday, October 31 against Southern Nazarene. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Cliff Harris Stadium. The Tigers will honor the team's seniors at approximately 5:30 p.m.
