OBU ranked No. 17 in D2

ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist checked in this week at No. 17 on College Football America’s Division II Preseason Top 30, while rising junior Justin Gooseberry was named to the Starting Lineup/All-American List.

The Tigers capped off a 9-3 season last year with a third Great American Conference football championship in seven years. They won their last five games of the regular season to capture the title and earn their second-ever berth into the NCAA Division II Playoffs.

Ouachita head football coach Todd Knight picked up his 100th career victory against rival Henderson State. The GAC named Knight Coach of the Year for the third time in his career at Ouachita. The Tigers had 17 All-GAC selections at season’s end including, four on the First Team.

Ouachita and fellow GAC rival Harding are the only two GAC recognized by the publication. Harding is ranked No. 3 after a run to the national semifinals in 2017.

Gooseberry was one of only two players this past season to be voted unanimously to the AllGAC First Team. His offensive line unit ranked first in the nation in sacks allowed with an average of 0.55 allowed per game. The offensive line anchored an offense that finished second in the GAC in scoring, rushing offense and third in total offense.

Gooseberry is one of four GAC players selected to the publication’s All-American list. Harding placed sophomore running back Cole Chancey and junior linebacker Sam Blankenship on the list, while Southern Arkansas had senior defensive lineman Davondrick Lison selected.

Ouachita players return to campus this week to prepare for the 2018 season. The Tigers will kick off their title defense on the road at Northwestern Oklahoma State on Aug. 30. Their home opener is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. against Southwestern Oklahoma State.