ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita Baptist University football team forced three turnovers and used a balanced offensive attack to earn a 35-13 homecoming victory over Oklahoma Baptist University on Saturday at Cliff Harris Stadium.
The win gives Ouachita (2-3) its seventh straight victory on homecoming and keeps the Tigers undefeated against Oklahoma Baptist (1-4) in the Great American Conference era at 10-0.
Tiger linebacker
Justin Crutchmer forced two key fumbles in Saturday's win, which gives him four total this season in what is the Hot Springs native's first year at Ouachita. That performance will only improve his national ranking in forced fumbles, which was third at the D2 level heading into this weekend's slate of games. He also tied teammate
Malique Reliford for the game-high in tackles with eight.
Cornerback
Steven Weston came up with Ouachita's other takeaway in Saturday's win with an interception on the first drive of the game with the Bison driving in the redzone. It was Weston's first interception of the season.
Oklahoma Baptist outgained Ouachita in total offense at 427-407, but with the three takeaways and three fourth-down stops, the Tiger defense came up with big plays when the team needed it most.
Offensively, Ouachita balanced its attack with 219 rushing yards and 188 passing yards. Quarterback
Nate TenBarge finished at 12-for-17 through the air for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
Chris Henley, Jr. and
Lyric Tredwell each finished with 59 net rushing yards. Henley had two rushing touchdowns. Tredwell had one.
Jaylen Boardley added 48 rushing yards on eight carries.
Carter McElhany had seven receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns. 87 of his 95 yards came after the catch.
In addition to Crutchmer and Reliford,
Joey Ortego was also a standout on defense with five tackles and a half-sack.
Cortavion McMillan was also in on that sack.
Elijah Mason and
Gabe Williams each added four tackles.
The Tigers are on the road for their next two games, starting next Saturday, October 11 with a trip to Bethany, Oklahoma to take on Southern Nazarene University for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
