BETHANY, Oklahoma – The Ouachita football team overcame a sluggish start to earn a 28-7 road victory over Southern Nazarene on Saturday to even the team's record at 3-3.
The Tigers looked poised to take an early lead after getting an interception on the first drive of the game from
Braylon Johnson, but a missed field goal kept zeros on the scoreboard. The Tigers then fumbled the ball away on their next offensive drive and went three-and-out in the third series.
Meanwhile, the Tiger defense forced punts on consecutive SNU possessions to keep both squads scoreless in the first quarter.
Ouachita struck first with 12:12 remaining in the second quarter when true freshman backup quarterback
Tre Nichols scampered 43 yards for a touchdown on a fourth-down play.
SNU (1-5) responded on its next series with a 12-yard touchdown pass to cap a nine-play, 70-yard drive that used six minutes off clock time. That score was the final of the first half to force a seven-all tie at the break.
The defense pitched a shutout in the second half, while the offense came up with two field goals from
Dax Jaggers in the third quarter playing in his hometown of Bethany, Oklahoma to go along with fourth-quarter touchdowns from
Chris Henley, Jr. (two-yard rush) and
Carter McElhany (20-yard rush). McElhany's score was on a fourth-down reverse.
The Ouachita defense posted four takeaways in the win to add to its nation-leading turnover margin. In addition to Johnson's interception in the first quarter,
Malique Reliford also came up with an interception.
Justin Crutchmer added to his nation-leading forced fumbles tally with two more against SNU to give him six for the season.
Kendall Williams also had a forced fumble.
Nichols finished the game 10-for-18 through the air for 213 yards and added 102 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Chris Henley, Jr. finished with 79 rushing yards on 13 carries.
Carter McElhany finished with five receptions for 132 yards to go along with his 20-yard touchdown run.
The Tiger offense posted a season-high 507 total yards, averaging out to 6.9 yards per play. The defense had its best outing of the season also, giving up just 227 yards. Ouachita held SNU to just one third down conversion in the game on 10 attempts.
The Tigers are back on the road next Saturday, October 18 against Arkansas-Monticello. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
