MAGNOLIA, Arkansas – The Ouachita Baptist University football team recorded its fourth consecutive victory and moved to 4-0 on the road this season with a 52-21 drubbing of Southern Arkansas on Saturday afternoon.
With Saturday's win, the Tigers have secured the program's 18th consecutive winning season, which extends the longest streak of any college football program in the state of Arkansas. The Tigers also extended their winning streak over SAU to 10.
SAU ended up with a 541-452 edge in total offense in Saturday's game. The Tigers finished with 274 passing yards and kept their streak alive of throwing no interceptions this season. On the ground, Ouachita had 188 yards on 40 carries.
Ouachita went to the ground for its first two scores on a one-yard plunge by
Jaylen Boardley and a two-yard push by
Chris Henley, Jr. to put the Tigers up 14-0 midway through the first quarter. The early lead was aided by an interception by
Joey Ortego on to halt SAU's first drive.
Braden Johnson put Ouachita up 17-0 with a 36-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
SAU scored its first touchdown following a Ouachita fumble to make it 17-7 with just under five minutes remaining in the first half.
The Tigers took advantage of a short field to go up 24-7 with just under a minute remaining in the second quarter.
Tre Nichols found
Eli Holmes-Holt in the corner of the endzone on a 13-yard pass to cap a three-play scoring drive.
SAU marched back quickly and scored with nine seconds remaining before the break to make it 24-14 in favor of the Tigers.
The Tiger defense sparked a dominant third quarter with a forced fumble on SAU's first play. Ouachita went on to outscore SAU 21-0 in the third quarter on a touchdown pass from Nichols to
JJ Pipkin a rushing score by Henley, and a 14-yard touchdown pass from Nichols to Henley.
Kahlil Smith tallied his second defensive touchdown of the season to finalize Ouachita's scoring on an 89-yard fumble return with 12:45 remaining in regulation.
SAU scored once more midway through the fourth to finalize the scoring.
Nichols finished the game 16-for-21 through the air for 239 yards and three scores. He added 54 rushing yards on seven carries. Henley totaled 90 rushing yards and two scores on 13 carries. 10 different receivers had a reception in the win.
Walter Hicks paced the Tiger defense with nine tackles.
Justin Crutchmer added eight tackles and a forced fumble.
The Tigers are back on the road next Saturday, October 31 to take on Northwestern Oklahoma State.
