SHAWNEE, Oklahoma – The ninth-ranked Ouachita Baptist University football team cruised to a 55-0 road victory over Oklahoma Baptist University on Saturday at Crain Family Stadium.
The Tiger defense came up with five takeaways in the win, highlighted by a 40-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Mario Ganter, Jr. Three different players came up with interceptions in the win, and JT Towers came up with another fumble recovery in addition to Ganter's.
The offense clicked for 401 yards of total offense, averaging out to 6.4 yards per play. Freshman quarterback Nate TenBarge was 9-for-17 for 103 yards and two passing touchdowns in his third start of the season. He also had 47 rushing yards on seven carries. Kendel Givens turned in 106 rushing yards on 20 carries, including a 25-yard touchdown run. He also had four receptions for 41 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown catch. Carter McElhany had three receptions for 92 yards, including two touchdown receptions.
Ouachita (9-1) scored on the first drive of the game on a 25-yard run by Givens, but was forced to punt on its other three drives in the first quarter. Givens' 33-yard touchdown catch came next early in the second quarter to start a stretch of five straight Tiger drives coming away with points. Chris Henley, Jr. got in on the scoring with a 16-yard touchdown run with 4:47 remaining in the second quarter.
Meanwhile, the Tiger defense allowed minimal yardage to the Bison (2-8) and ended up holding Oklahoma Baptist to just three third down conversions on 17 attempts. Ouachita outgained OKBU 401-195, including a 238-56 edge in rushing.
Dax Jaggers made one of his two field goals for the Tigers as time expired in the second quarter to put Ouachita up 34-0 at halftime.
Ganter's fumble recovery for a touchdown came on the opening drive of the second half. The other second half scores came on a 53-yard pass from Riley Harms to McElhany late in the third quarter and a 30-yard run by Lyric Tredwell early in the fourth.
Jax Miller led the defensive with eight tackles and a sack. Ganter and Dawson Miller both had six tackles. JT Towers and Joey Ortego both had five. Josiah Johnson, Brock Baker, and Torion Phillips all had interceptions in the win.
The final score gave Ouachita its second shutout of the season and handed Oklahoma Baptist its first scoreless game since the football program was reinstated in 2013.
Ouachita wraps up the regular season next Saturday, November 16 with a walk across the street to face Henderson State University for the 97th Battle of the Ravine. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. More information about that game will be released throughout the week.
