ARKADELPHIA – The 16th-ranked Ouachita Baptist University football team scored on offense, defense, and special teams leading to a 49-14 victory over the University of Arkansas at Monticello on Saturday at home.
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Tigers marched four yards at a time to open the game with a lead. The opening drive was 13 plays for 61 yards in 6:25 capped by a one-yard touchdown run by
Kendel Givens.
The Ouachita defense and special teams showed out for the next two scores. After pushing the Weevils (2-2) back on their opening drive,
Chance Taylor sacked the UAM quarterback in the endzone and forced a fumble in the process, which was pounced on
Mikey Gonzalez for the defensive touchdown.
UAM scored on a long touchdown pass on its next drive to make it 14-7 in favor of the Tigers with 5:15 remaining in the opening quarter. The Weevils then forced Ouachita to punt on the next drive, which was downed at the 11-yard line which set up the next non-offensive score. The Tiger defense forced a three-and-out, and
Josiah Johnson went untouched to block the punt, which was covered up by
Malique Reliford in the endzone for the special teams touchdown.
The Tigers scored twice more in the second quarter to take a 35-7 lead into the break at halftime.
Connor Flannigan scored his first career rushing touchdown at the 10:19 mark on a 16-yard sweep to cap an eight-play, 62-yard drive.
Eli Livingston then scored on a three-yard touchdown run at the 1:18 mark to cap an eight-play, 63-yard drive.
Ouachita held possession for more than half of the third quarter, most of which coming on a 14-play, 88-yard drive that used 8:20. That was capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Livingston to Flannigan in the corner of the endzone to put the Tigers up 42-7.
UAM scored its final touchdown next with 17 seconds remaining in the third period on a drive aided by a Ouachita penalty.
With the reserves in the game, the Tigers finalized the scoring on a 19-yard touchdown run by
Nate TenBarge at the 5:26 of the fourth quarter.
Livingston finished the game 13-for-17 through the air for 156 yards and added 55 rushing yards on nine carries. Givens finished with 72 rushing yards on 19 carries.
Defensively, the Tigers came into the game ranked first in the nation in tackles for loss and recorded right at their average of 12 in the win over UAM.
Josiah Johnson led the way with nine total tackles.
Jax Miller added seven tackles.
Rovell Carter,
Chance Taylor, and
Mikey Gonzalez all had sacks in the win.
Overall, Ouachita outgained UAM 385-255, including a 211-29 margin in rushing.
The Tigers are on the road next Saturday, October 5 to take on Southeastern Oklahoma State. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. in Durant.
