Tigers host Tigers in Arkadelphia
ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist will look to preserve its undefeated record today when the Tigers face off against the East Central Tigers at 6 p.m. in Cliff Harris Stadium.
Ouachita (3-0) is looking to open the season with a 4-0 record for the fourth time this decade. The Tigers started the season 4-0 in three consecutive seasons from 2012-14.
A win today would extend Ouachita’s winning streak to six games against East Central (1-2). Ouachita has twice won five games in a row against East Central, including a 6-1 mark since the formation of the Great American Conference in 2011.
Ouachita entered the top 10 of the American Football Coaches Association Poll this week. The No 9 ranking is the highest mark since the Tigers’ undefeated regular season in 2014.
Their calling card this season has been hard-nosed running and a smash mouth defense. They scored 18 unanswered points a week ago to take a 3216 victory on the road at Southeastern Oklahoma State (1-2).
Ouachita ranks ninth in the country in rushing yards per game with 279. Junior running back Shun’cee Thomas has taken over the workload in the backfield with 270 yards, including a season-high 114 yards against Southeastern. He is averaging 9.13 yards per carry, which ranks him fourth nationally.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Brayden Brazeal had a breakout game against the Savage Storm. Brazeal threw for 108 yards and ran for an additional
136 yards. It was the first time in his career he was able to run and pass for at least 100 yards in the same game.
Allie Freeman has been the go-to guy for Brazeal when throwing the ball. Freeman has caught 18 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown.
Ouachita’s defense turned into a “no fly zone” against the Savage Storm. The Tigers hauled in four interceptions and
12 pass breakups.
Senior defensive back Airric Parker was named GAC Defensive Player of the Week after setting a career high in tackles with 15. He also broke up three passes and returned an interception for a touchdown. Fellow defensive back Keandre Evans ranks fourth in the nation with 2.3 pass breakups per game.
East Central is coming off its first win of the season, 29-27, against Arkansas-Monticello (1-2) for first-year head coach Al Johnson’s first-ever college win as a head coach. The Tigers managed to win the game despite registering only nine first downs in the game.
They ran for -36 yards on 29 attempts and threw for 213 yards. Monticello outgained East Central, 503-177, but the Tigers managed two interceptions, including one returned 30 yards for a touchdown.
Ouachita jumped out to a 21-0 lead behind three touchdowns by senior Drew Harris a year ago. Two of the final three touchdowns of a 45-14 win in Ada, Okla., were scored by defensive players.