ARKADELPHIA – The Ouachita Baptist University football team is set for the 2026 season opener this Thursday night at home against East Central University.

The battle between the two sets of Tigers gets underway at 7 p.m. from Kluck-Benson Field at Cliff Harris Stadium.

General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the stadium starting at 4 p.m. Tickets purchased online can be claimed at the will call window.

The Ouachita Sports Digital Network and the Ouachita Football Radio Network will broadcast the game free of charge. Pregame shows start at 6 p.m. For a list of radio affiliates and links to online broadcasts, visit www.OBUtigers.com/broadcast. Live stats will be available at www.OBUtigers.com/LiveStats.

The purple Tigers have been picked No. 2 in the Great American Conference preseason coaches' poll for the 2026 campaign after a 7-4 finish in 2025. More than 50 lettermen return from last year's squad, including 10 that have earned All-GAC honors in their respective careers. The 2026 roster features more than 20 athletes with significant experience as a starter either at Ouachita or their respective previous school.

The orange Tigers went 6-6 overall last season and have been picked No. 6 in the GAC preseason poll. ECU returns 12 of its 23 All-GAC performers from last year's squad that defeated Ouachita 24-22 in the season opener in Ada, Oklahoma.