Game of the week

SW OKLAHOMA STATE AT OUACHITA BAPTIST

WHEN Saturday, Noon

WHERE Cliff Harris Stadium, Arkadelphia

WHY THE INTRIGUE These are two of the hottest teams in the conference, with one coming as a surprise. While Ouachita Baptist is ranked No. 5 in NCAA Division II and was anticipated to be as good as it’s been, Southwestern Oklahoma State didn’t have near the expectations. The Bulldogs put an end to a long losing streak earlier this year, and now find themselves in the upper tier of the conference after back-to-back victories over Oklahoma Baptist and the University of Arkansas at Monticello. A win by Southwestern Oklahoma State will pull them within a game of first place in the GAC.

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH FOR SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE Tylan Morton, who’s been an integral part of the Bulldogs’ surge under first-year head coach Josh Kirkland. The 6-4, 215-pound quarterback has thrown for 1,382 yards and 13 touchdowns – he passed for 358 yards last week in a win over the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The South Alabama transfer will look to attack the Tigers from the outset.

KEY PLAYER TO WATCH FOR OUACHITA BAPTIST Riley Harms, who figures to be a big factor in this one. Southwestern Oklahoma State will try to slow down Ouachita Baptist’s second-ranked rushing attack by possibly having additional men closer to the line of scrimmage, which means Harms may have to produce with his arm more. He’s more than capable, as evidenced last week when he was 15-of-17 passing for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns against Northwestern Oklahoma State.