Evans seals OBU homecoming W with 103-yard interception return

ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist puts its stamp on its homecoming victory against Arkansas Tech on Saturday with timely defense and a

103-yard interception return for a touchdown in the final minutes of the game.

The 103-yard score by Keandre Evans stunted Arkansas Tech’s offense and sealed the 24-7 win on homecoming for the Tigers (5-0). They improved to 7-2 in homecoming games since 2010. Ouachita is 5-0 for the first time since 2014.

The Tigers have outscored three opponents,

107-15, at home this season. Evans led the defense on Saturday with 10 tackles, two pass breakups and two interceptions. Jon Johnson made nine stops in the game, while Hayden Lassister also made an interception earlier in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Brayden Brazeal added 116 passing yards and 88 yards on the ground. Allie Freeman and La’Darius McElroy both ended the game with more than 50 receiving yards.

Running back Kris Oliver crossed the 100-yard threshold for the first time this season and scored for the first time since Week 2.

Arkansas Tech (2-3) accumulated 432 yards of offense, but quarterback Carter Burcham was only 22-for-47 for 325 yards with the three interceptions. Bryan Allen ran for 104 yards and Terrez Hampton caught seven passes for 130 yards.

The game was scoreless until Ouachita engineered an 83-yard drive that took 5:40 off of the clock. Oliver had runs of 21 and 13 yards during the drive before finishing it off with a one-yard

score.

Ouachita took over again with 2:47 in the half. Brazeal connected with McElroy for a 32-yard pass into Arkansas Tech territory. A timeout enabled senior kicker Cole Antley to hit his longest field goal of the season at 45 yards for a 10-0 halftime lead.

Arkansas Tech opened the second half with a 10-yard drive deep into Ouachita territory. The home defense forced a field goal, but Carson French missed his 38-yard attempt. The Wonder Boys were 1-for-3 in the red zone.

A 67-yard gain in the fourth quarter set up a two-yard touchdown run by Tanner Gaines as Arkansas Tech pulled within 10-7 with 9:16 left in the game. Ouachita was held to a three-and-out on the next drive before Burcham was intercepted by Lassiter, who returned the ball inside Tech’s 10-yard line.

Brown ran in for an eight-yard score, his seventh of the season, for a 17-7 lead. Arkansas Tech advanced inside the Ouachita 10 on the next drive until Evans sealed the win.

Ouachita will face its toughest test this season on Saturday with a road trip to Harding (4-1).