ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita football team pulled away late for its sixth consecutive victory of the season, defeating Southwestern Oklahoma State 31-14 on Saturday in the Tigers' final home game of the year.
Ouachita's defense forced three turnovers in the win and only allowed 14 points despite the Tiger offense committing four turnovers of its own. Joey Ortego, Kendall Williams, and Kahlil Smith all forced a fumble in the win, while Elijah Mason came up with his first career interception. One of the SWOSU fumbles was recovered by a Bulldog on a strip sack by Williams.
The Tigers (8-2) scored first in the win on a 50-yard scramble touchdown run by quarterback Tre Nichols at the 9:28 mark of the first quarter. SWOSU (4-5) answered back with a 75-yard touchdown drive that took 13 plays and used 7:32.
Nichols found Carter McElhany wide open for a 49-yard touchdown pass at the 7:25 mark of the second quarter to put the Tigers back on top for a 14-7 lead, which held to be the score at the halftime break.
Both teams added a touchdown in the third period, which was dominated by an 18-play, 97-yard drive by SWOSU that used nearly 10 minutes of game clock. The Tigers answered on the ensuing drive to regain the lead when a pass from Nichols was tipped into the hands of Eli Holmes-Holt in the endzone with just under one minute remaining in the third.
Ouachita dominated the fourth quarter, holding possession for more than 10 minutes and forcing a SWOSU turnover on a fumble and a Bulldog turnover on downs. The Tigers found the endzone for the final time on a one-yard touchdown plunge by Chris Henley, Jr. with 4:31 remaining. Braden Johnson finalized the scoring with a 24-yard field goal with 2:24 remaining.
The Tigers ended up with a 373-314 edge in total offense. Nichols finished at 10-for-16 passing for 173 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Jaylen Boardley led the rushing attack with 62 yards on 12 carries. Henley, Jr. finished with 16 carries for 55 yards. McElhany finished with three receptions for 84 yards. Holmes-Holt totaled four receptions for 62 yards.
Walter Hicks led the Tiger defense with a career-high 13 total tackles, including six solo stops. Smith added 11 tackles, while Mason finished with 10. Jackson Edwards contributed nine tackles, and KJ Colen added eight tackles and three pass breakups.
The Tigers now turn their attention to next Saturday's walk across Highway 67 for the 99th Battle of the Ravine against Henderson State.
