GAC WEEK 9 SCHEDULE
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Southern Nazarene vs [3/5] Ouachita Baptist 6:00 P.M
Cliff Harris Stadium – Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Series History: Ouachita Baptist leads 10-0
Last Meeting: OUA, 49-28 (October 26, 2023)
Southern Nazarene Notes
No notes available.
Ouachita Baptist Notes
TIGER TRACKS
TRICK-OR-TREAT
We’ll see about the tricks, but the Ouachita football team hopes to treat fans to a victory over Southern Nazarene this Thursday night at Cliff Harris Stadium. Ouachita is one of six remaining unbeaten teams in the NCAA Division II with an 8-0 record following a 38-7 road victory over Arkansas Tech last Saturday. SNU is the only team in the Great American Conference without a win this year at 0-8 following a 31-30 loss at home to East Central last Saturday, losing on a field goal with seven seconds remaining in regulation.
SENIOR DAY
Thursday night’s game is the final home game of the regular season. The Tigers will honor their 26 seniors prior to the game. The players being honored include: Joel Allen, JaRaylon Burks, Braylen Butler, Rovell Carter, Connor Flannigan, Nathan Frater, Kendel Givens, Mikey Gonzalez, Riley Harms, Hank Hatfield, Chris Hightower, Josiah Johnson, Kenta Jones, Melvin Kumwenda, Eli Livingston, Kee McKnight, Dawson Miller, Jax Miller, Josh Mumphrey, Jake Norman, Rickey Rogers Jr., Whitt Sparks, Chance Taylor, JT Towers, Jeremiah Turner, and Gaylon Williams. This group includes seven individuals that have already earned their undergraduate degree and are currently pursuing a master’s degree. This group of seniors, some of which joined the program in 2019, have helped Ouachita win 48 games over the past five seasons and have been key contributors to two undefeated regular seasons, two GAC championships, and two NCAA playoffs appearances.
TOP 5 TIGERS
Ouachita is now a consensus top five team in NCAA Division II football, moving up two spots to No. 3 in the latest American Football Coaches Association top 25 poll and up two spots to No. 5 this week by D2Football.com. The No. 3 ranking by the AFCA matches a program-best, last accomplished in the 2022 season. The Tigers have now been ranked nationally by the AFCA in 72 of the last 73 polls. Ouachita is one of three teams in the GAC receiving national recognition this week. Harding responded after losing to Ouachita in week seven by beating Southern Arkansas 49-17 last Saturday in Searcy, leading to a slight bump in the rankings up to No. 6 and No. 7 by the AFCA and D2Football.com, respectively. SAU, which was ranked No. 22 and No. 25, respectively, fell out of both polls, but are still receiving votes by the AFCA.
NO. 2 IN NCAA POWER RANKINGS
NCAA.com D2 columnist Wayne Cavadi publishes weekly power rankings that highlight the top 10 teams in the nation. The Tigers moved up seven spots this week to No. 2: “Now we get to Ouachita Baptist who took down No. 1 Harding last week and just kept rolling this week, stomping a 4-3 Arkansas Tech for the Tigers’ fourth win over a plus-.500 team this season. The Tigers trail only Harding and Kutztown in scoring defense and score 36.50 points per game. Their resume still has a chance to improve with the Battle of the Ravine against Henderson State remaining. The Tigers are well on their way to a first-round bye, but not locked in just yet.”
TIGERS IN CONSIDERATION FOR PLAYOFFS
The NCAA released its first regional rankings of the season this Monday. The Tigers compete in Super Region 3, consisting of teams from the Great American Conference (GAC), the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), and the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). This week’s release included an alphabetical list of 10 teams in consideration for the playoffs. The first numerical rankings will come out next week. The top seven make the playoff bracket with the No. 1 seed receiving a first-round bye. Ouachita is the only undefeated team in SR3. The Tigers are seeking their sixth playoffs appearance. Other teams from SR3 to make the list this week include Central Oklahoma (MIAA), Emporia State (MIAA), Ferris State (GLIAC), Grand Valley State (GLIAC), Harding (GAC), Pittsburg State (MIAA), Saginaw Valley State (GLIAC), Southern Arkansas (GAC), and Indianapolis (GLVC).
OUACHITA STAT NOTABLES
• Ouachita is one of just six unbeaten teams remaining at the NCAA Division II level. • Ouachita is the fewest penalized team in the GAC and ranks 24th nationally with an average of 5.4 flags going against the Tigers per game. • Ouachita is third in the GAC and 15th in the nation in fewest first downs allowed (112-14 per game). • Ouachita is fourth in the GAC and 11th in the nation in kickoff return defense, giving up just 15.3 yards per return. • Ouachita leads the GAC and ranks seventh nationally in kickoff returns with an average of 27.4 yards per return. Carter McElhany leads the GAC and ranks 11th in the nation individually with an average of 30.8 yards per return. • Ouachita leads the GAC and ranks second in the nation in net punting (42.9 yards per punt). Tom Weston leads the GAC and ranks ninth in the nation individually at 44.4 yards per punt. • Ouachita is third in the GAC and 12th in the nation in with an average of 15 yards per pass completion. Quarterback Eli Livingston leads the GAC and ranks sixth in the nation individually with an average of 16 yards per completion. Livingston also leads the GAC and ranks 14th nationally in passing efficiency with a 165.6 QB rating. • Ouachita is second in the nation in punt return defense, actually allowing a negative average of three yards per return. • Ouachita leads the GAC and ranks seventh in the nation in punt returns at 18.8 yards per return. Connor Flannigan leads the GAC and ranks fourth in the nation individually at 20 yards per return. • Ouachita leads the GAC and ranks ninth in the nation in red zone offense at 91 percent. • Ouachita is one of five teams in the nation to hold their opponents to single digit points per game. The Tigers rank second in the GAC and third in the nation at 8.5 points allowed per contest. • Ouachita is second in the GAC and ninth in the nation in total defense, giving up 247.4 yards per game. • Ouachita leads the GAC and ranks fourth nationally in tackles for loss with an average of 10 per game. Mikey Gonzalez leads that category for the Tigers with 1.3 TFL per game and just under on sack per game. • Ouachita had six sacks in the win over Arkansas Tech last Saturday. The Tigers now rank second in the GAC and 22nd in D2 with an average of 2.88 per game. • In addition to his passing contributions, Eli Livingston has also accounted for 439 rushing yards this season on 68 carries for a GAC-best 6.5 yards per attempt. • Running back Kendel Givens leads the GAC and is fourth in the nation with 11 rushing touchdowns. He is third in the GAC and 22nd in the nation in scoring with an average of 8.3 points per game.
STORM STOPPERS
Ouachita looks to remain undefeated against SNU in the all-time history between the two programs that dates to the 2013 season, when the Crimson Storm joined the Great American Conference. Last year’s 49-28 win in Bethany moved Ouachita to 10-0 all-time against SNU. In games played at Cliff Harris Stadium, Ouachita has outscored SNU 127-14.
SCOUTING THE CRIMSON STORM
Southern Nazarene missed out on its first win of the season by seven seconds last Saturday at home in a 31-30 loss to East Central. With under a minute left, ECU had a big gain on a busted play to set up a 54-yard field goal by Brandon Perez with seven seconds remaining in regulation for the game-winner. SNU enters Thursday’s game against Ouachita at 0-8. The Crimson Storm are the only team in the GAC without a win. SNU has lost three games this year by just one score. Dual-threat quarterback Bryson Evans leads SNU’s offensive attack with 921 yards of total offense, which is 48 percent of SNU’s yards this season. SNU ranks last or next to last in the GAC in 23 team categories. The Crimson Storm leads the GAC with four blocked kicks this year. Three of those blocks have come from David Omosigho. Aaron Randle is tied with six other players for the nation lead in fumbles recovered with three. Dezmond Williams is one of six players in the GAC with a punt return for a touchdown this year. Carter Brock is third in the GAC and 17th in the nation with an average of 9.5 tackles per game.
LAST TIME OUT VS. SNU
Five different players scored at least one touchdown to lead the then-ranked No. 14 Tigers to a 49-28 Thursday-night road win over SNU in week nine of the 2023 season. Ouachita scored touchdowns on its first four offensive drives, all from different players. Kendel Givens, Jeremiah Turner, Carter McElhany, Eli Livingston, and Garrison Jackson all found the endzone in the win. Riley Harms threw two touchdown passes. Trey Proctor paced the defense with 10 tackles. As a team, Ouachita outgained SNU 550-483. SNU quarterback Gage Porter kept the Crimson Storm in the game with 372 yards of total offense, including 192 rushing yards. However, the Ouachita defense held SNU to 3-for-11 on third down attempts to force five punts. Two other SNU drives ended on interceptions by Ouachita’s Mario Ganter, Jr.
Southeastern Oklahoma State vs [6/7] Harding 7:00 P.M.
First Security Stadium – Searcy, Arkansas
Series History: Harding leads 26-8
Last Meeting: SE, 55-0 (October 28, 2023
Southeastern Oklahoma State Notes
Noteworthy…
• The 2024 season marks 111th season of Southeastern football overall, 27th since joining NCAA Division II, and the 14th season as a member of the Great American Conference. • Saturday’s matchup with SWOSU is the 35th meeting between the two programs all time. The first meeting came during the 1978 season, a 30-8 win for SE. The teams would meet every season from 1978 through 1999, with the closing out that run as Lone Star Conference rivals before HU departed the league for the Gulf South Conference after the 1999 season. SE trails in the series by an 8-26 margin, including a 1-11 record in GAC play, with the lone conference win coming by a 32-31 margin during the 2021 season • After snapping a five-game losing skid in the state of Arkansas with a win over UAM, the Storm return to Oklahoma where it has compiled a 31-4 record over Oklahoma opponents in the six-plus seasons under head coach Bo Atterberry, and is currently on an eight-game winning streak versus instate foes. • Southeastern junior linebacker Braeden Winters was named the D2Football.com Defensive Player of the Week following his 14 tackles, four TFL, and two sack performance in the week four win over Northwestern Okla- homa State. • SE heads into the 2024 season picked to finish fifth in the GAC Preseason Poll. The poll, voted on by the league’s coaches, saw the Savage Storm pick up 72 points in the voting, finishing eight points ahead of Arkansas Tech in sixth. Harding was the preseason top pick with 10 of the 12 possible first-place votes, followed by Ouachita Baptist in Second and Southern Arkansas in third place with one first-place nod apiece. Henderson State was fourth just ahead of the Storm, while Oklahoma Baptist checked in seventh, followed by Arkansas-Monticello and East Central in eighth and ninth, respectively. Southern Nazarene, Southwestern Oklahoma State, and Northwestern Oklahoma State would round out the poll in order. • SE returns a pair of All-GAC honorees, both in the backfield as DJ Brown was the team’s leading rusher and was a second team pick at running back, while Ryan Hirt was the number two rusher and was a selection for his special teams play. • The Storm return five players who started at least five games last season on offense, and six on the defensive side. • SE’s initial 2-deep features plenty of youth as 10 of the 22 listed offensive players are sophomores in standing or younger, including three starters. Defensively the number is also 10, with four in starting roles. Storm special teams has just one but returns all its starters from last season. • SE RB DJ Brown is one of a record 178 nominees for the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team which features players and coaches from across the country and at every four-year collegiate level. A junior from Leonard, Texas, he becomes the fourth Savage Storm player in the last eight seasons to earn a nomination to the team. He put together 641 yards and four touchdowns on the ground in his first season with the Storm and added 94 yards and two scores receiving on his way to a second team all-GAC honor. Off the field, he has been an academic All-GAC selection and will be the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee for the upcoming season.
Harding Notes
Harding Team Notes
• Coming off its second win over a nationally ranked team this season, Harding welcomes Southeastern Oklahoma to First Security Stadium on Thursday at 7 p.m. … Harding is 6-5 in 11 previous games on Halloween, including a 7-3 victory over Subiaco College on Oct. 31, 1925, Harding’s first win ever against a collegiate varsity program. • Harding’s win over Southern Arkansas was its 14th straight at home, tying the school record set from Oct. 20, 2018-Nov. 27, 2021 … Southeastern Oklahoma has won its last three road games. • KEY STAT: Harding’s offense excels on third down, ranking third nationally with 55.4% conversions, while Southeastern Oklahoma’s defense ranks second in third down conversions allowed at 23.0%. • This will be the 35th meeting between HU and SE with the Bisons holding a 26-8 lead … Harding has won the last nine meetings with Southeastern at home, with the Savage Storm’s lone win in the 15 games played in Searcy, coming in 1989 (7-3). • Fourth-ranked Harding dominated Southeastern Oklahoma 55-0 last season in Durant, rushing for 436 yards and seven TD, while forcing five turnovers, including four interceptions, to extend their winning streak to 13 games. • Harding is ranked No. 6 in the AFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll … Harding has appeared in 73 consecutive AFCA polls. • Dominant Rushing Attack: Harding leads the nation in rushing offense, averaging 415.5 yards per game, and has rushed for over 400 yards five times this season. • Stingy Defense: The Bisons boast the top-ranked total defense, allowing just 161.5 yards per game, and have held opponents to fewer than 200 total yards in seven of eight games. • Scoring Machine: Harding’s offense leads the nation in scoring, averaging 53.5 points per game, and has scored 30 or more points in nine of its last 10 games. • Defensive Efficiency: The Bisons’ defense ranks first nationally in passing efficiency defense (73.67) and third-down conversion percentage defense (25%) … the Bisons have 10 interceptions and have allowed only three passing TD … the Bisons also have not allowed a team to pass for more than 200 yards this season. • Disciplined Football: Harding ranks among the nation’s best in fewest penalties per game (T-36, 5.63) and fewest penalty yards per game (24, 47.75) … the Bisons have had fewer than 50 penalty yards in each of the last five games. • OPPONENT WATCH: Southeastern Oklahoma ranks sixth in Division II with 33:42 average time of possession … the Savage Storm converts only 36.8% of its third downs to rank 98th nationally … Southeastern’s passing game has struggled, averaging only 184.6 yards per game and ranking 113th nationally in team passing efficiency (116.70).
Harding Player Notes
• QB COLE KEYLON … 31-3 as a starter … 3rd in GAC passing TD (9) and 11th in rushing TD (5) … 6th in HU career rush TD (26) … needs 4 pass yards to become 16th HU player with 2,000 career … t-7th in HU career pass TD (22) … 2 rush TD vs. SE in ‘23 • FB BLAKE DELACRUZ … 2nd in GAC and 11th in D2 with 10 rush TD … 12th in GSC with 445 rush yards … 5th in HU career rush yards (2,846), needs 309 yards to pass Romo Westbrook (3,154, 2011-14) for 3rd … 3rd in HU career rush TD (42), needs four TD to pass Park Parish (45, 2012-16) for 2nd … scored his 1st receiving TD vs. SAU … with 104 all-purpose yards vs. SAU, became 13th HU player with 3,000 … 9 rushes, 54 yards, 1 TD vs. SE in ‘23 • FB ANDREW MILLER … 8th in GSC rush yards (496) and 6th in rush TD (7) … 12th in HU career yards/rush (7.66) • SB BRADEN JAY … 3rd in GAC all-purpose yards (112.25), 4th in rush yards (567), 5th in receiving TD (3) and 7th in rush TD (6) … 11th in HU career rush yards (1,935), needs 65 yards to become 10th HU player with 2,000 rush yards … 9th in HU career rush TD (24) … HU career leader in yards/rush (13.07) … 16th in HU career all-purpose yards (2,710) … with TD vs. SAU, became 5th HU player with 30+ TD … 6 rushes, 70 yards, 1 TD and completed 27-yard pass vs. SE in ‘23 • SB CHAUNCEY MARTIN … 11th in HU career yards/rush (8.12) … had fourth career 2TD game vs. SAU • DL DRE HALL … 5th in GAC sacks (4.0) … 6th in HU career TFL (30.0) … 2nd in HU career sacks (22.5), needs 2.0 sacks to tie Tre’von Biglow for the school record … 1.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 FF vs. SE in ‘23 • DL GAGE PRICE … 3rd in GAC sacks (5.0) … 10th in GAC TFL (8.5) … 10th in HU career sacks (13.5) • LB CLARK GRIFFIN … 7th in GAC tackles (61, 7.6 per game) … has 227 career tackles, needs 3 to pass Aaron Gillaspie (231, 2009-12) for 9th … 10 tackles, 1 FR vs. SE in ‘23 • DB DARION DUNLAP-JOHNSON … set career high with 9 tackles vs. SAU • DB TY DUGGER … 2nd in GAC and 6th in D2 with 4 INT … had 2 INT vs. SE in ‘23 • RS KENDALE ALLEN … 2nd in HU career kick return yards (1,300), with 93 yards vs. SAU, passed Aaron Walters (1,237, 1991-94) for 2nd … 2nd in HU yards/kick return (27.66) • K MAGNUS LEPAK … 2nd in GAC in scoring (71), 3rd in FG per game (0.75), 2nd in field goal pct. (75.0) … 6th in HU PAT kick pct. (94.4) … 4th in HU FG pct. (70.0) … 33 of his 70 kickoffs have gone for touchbacks
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Henderson State vs Northwestern Oklahoma State 2:00 P.M.
Ranger Field – Alva, Oklahoma
Series History: Henderson State leads 8-3
Last Meeting: HSU, 51-0 (October 28, 2023)
Henderson State Notes
STORYLINES: SETTING THE SCENE
• With its fifth winning season in a row already secured, Henderson State travels to Alva, Oklahoma, looking for its seventh win of the season. The Reddies have won their last four meetings with the Rangers. • Following last week’s win against Oklahoma Baptist, Northwestern Oklahoma State has posted its first season with multiple wins since 2021. A victory over the Reddies would give the Rangers their first season with three or more wins since 2019.
REDDIES REPORT: OFFENSE
• Andrew Edwards has now recorded over 200 passing yards and zero interceptions in each of his last four games. His latest effort, which saw him tally 311 total yards of offense and four touchdowns against UAM, earned him his third GAC Offensive Player of the Week Award this season. The redshirt junior from Bentonville, Arkansas, recorded the longest individual run of his career with a 54-yard rush in the third quarter against the Boll Weevils. Edwards currently leads the league in pass completions (154), completion percentage (66.7), passing yards (1,856), and passing touchdowns (19). He also possesses the highest quarterback efficiency rating of players who have appeared in seven or more games this season. • With a 111-yard performance versus Arkansas-Monticello, running back Jeremiah Davis paces the Great American Conference with 600 rushing yards on the year. Last week’s contest marked the second time this season that the junior from Montalba, Texas, finished a game with triple-digit yardage on the ground. • Timieone Jackson continues to occupy the top spot on the GAC reception leaderboard with 42 catches in 2024. • Robbie Williams III led the Reddies receiving corps on Homecoming with seven catches that went for 77 yards and a score. • Tight end Cayden Davis remains a top 10 receiving option in the league after eight weeks (295 yards). His 19.7 yards per catch average is the second highest among players in the conference with at least 15 receptions.
REDDIES REPORT: DEFENSE
• With two sacks against Arkansas-Monticello, Jakobe Shell became the first Reddie to post two or more sacks in a game this season. The redshirt sophomore from Forrest City, Arkansas, is one of only four players in the GAC with at least five sacks this season. • Bryant Hammond II and Jaylen Powell both recorded interceptions in last week’s victory. Hammond II joined Cameron Thomas as the only two Henderson players with multiple picks thus far in 2024. • After making three stops behind the line of scrimmage against the Boll Weevils, Gary Lewis is now second in the conference with 13.5 tackles for loss. He leads the team in total tackles with 49. • HSU boasts one of Division II’s top five pass defenses (132.1 yards allowed per game).
REDDIES REPORT: SPECIAL TEAMS
• Jody Easter became the first player in the GAC to post multiple kickoff return touchdowns this season when he took a UAM kick 92 yards to the house last week. • Axel Robertson averaged 45.5 per punt and had a long of 53 yards versus the Boll Weevils. He is one of 27 Division II punters to average at least 42 yards per punt this year.
THE OPPONENT: NORTHWESTERN OKLA. ST.
• Northwestern Oklahoma State’s rush defense is in the top half of the league at 1,358 yards allowed through eight weeks. On the flip side, the Rangers’ pass defense is 11th in the conference with 1,520 yards allowed. • The Rangers boast the conference’s top tackler in the form of Colby Tillman. The graduate student from Bixby, Oklahoma, currently has 80 tackles on the season, including 42 solo stops (which is also the most in the league). He is third in the GAC with 13 tackles for loss (trailing only Henderson State’s Lewis and Arkansas Tech’s Jyrin Steward). • NWOSU is tied for second in the conference with 10 interceptions. Bashu Delco leads the team with three picks. • Saturday’s hosts are currently ranked ninth in the Great American Conference in passing offense (1,173 yards). Quarterback Brodey Jones accounts for 949 of those yards and eight touchdowns: numbers he has earned by completing 91 of his 163 passing attempts in 2024. He has thrown only four interceptions, which is tied for the second-fewest among GAC passers with at least 150 attempts. • Jahmiq Johnson leads all Ranger receivers with 260 yards on 15 catches. Travis Romar follows close behind with 22 receptions that have gone for 240 yards and a team-best four touchdowns. Royal Kyle has three has tallied three touchdown catches of his own. • Darien Gill and Jashaun Foster provide NWOSU’s one-two punch at the running back position. Both men have at least 60 touches on the season. Gill paces the duo with 235 rushing yards and a touchdown. Giorgio Spiropoulos has the most rushing scores on the team with two. • Matthew Sebade has punted the ball 53 times this season: eight times more than any other player in the GAC. His punt average of 39 yards per attempt is ranked tenth in the league. He has posted four punts of 50 yards or more, including a season long of 56 yards versus East Central on October 19. • Kale Purvis took over the teams field goal and PAT duties earlier this month. Through three games, he has made three of his four field goal attempts (all four attempts occurring in the game against Oklahoma Baptist) and converted all 10 of his PAT chances.
THE LAST MEETING
• Andrew Edwards posted a season-high 331 yards passing yards and five touchdowns in a 51-0 shutout victory on Senior Day. He added 28 yards on the ground while averaging nearly six yards per carry. • Three different HSU receivers finished the game with over 60 yards apiece: Chris Hatzis (six receptions, 91 yards, touchdown), Jody Easter (73-yard touchdown reception), and Cayden Davis (three receptions, 66 yards). Marcus Manuel Jr., Micah Greene, and Sekou Konate each contributed a receiving score. • The Reddie defense tallied seven tackles for loss en route to limiting the Rangers to 85 yards of total offense and zero points. • Henderson forced three turnovers: two fumbles and a pick from Darrick Rose Jr.
AROUND THE GAC
• No. 3 Ouachita Baptist hosts winless Southern Nazarene. • On the heels of three straight wins, Southeastern Oklahoma State visits No. 6 Harding. • Six-win Southern Arkansas aims to rebound at Southwestern Oklahoma State. • East Central looks to extend its winning streak with a road matchup against Arkansas Tech.
Northwestern Oklahoma State Notes
No notes available.
Southern Arkansas vs Southwestern Oklahoma State 2:00 P.M.
Flex-Chem Field at Milam Stadium – Weatherford, Oklahoma
Series History: Southern Arkansas leads 10-2
Last Meeting: SAU, 41-10 (October 28, 2023)
Southern Arkansas Notes
No notes available.
Southwestern Oklahoma State Notes
No notes available.
East Central vs Arkansas Tech 2:00 P.M.
Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium – Russellville, Arkansas
Series History: East Central leads14-11
Last Meeting: ATU, 18-16 (October 28, 2023)
THE SERIES
This will be the 88th meeting all-time between Arkansas Tech and Ouachita in a series that dates back to 1924. This will also be the 41st game played between the two in Russellville. Overall, Tech holds a 44-36-7 advantage in the all-time series and has a 21-15-4 lead in games played in Russellville. Since transitioning to NCAA Division II, the Wonder Boys and Tigers have met 22 times previously and, in that time, the series is tied 11-11.
East Central Notes
No notes available.
Arkansas Tech Notes
KICKING OFF
For the second time this season, the Arkansas Tech football team will be facing a nationally-ranked opponent as they play host to consensus top-10 ranked Ouachita Baptist. The Wonder Boys will be looking to hand the Tigers their first loss of the season and in the process return themselves to the win column. Kick-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium.
TECH(NICALLY) SPEAKING
LAST GAME The Wonder Boys are coming off a disappointing 24-13 defeat on the road at Arkansas-Monticello this past weekend. In that game, the Wonder Boys fell behind 14-0 through the first five minutes of the first quarter and were unable to fully climb out of the hole.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively after seven games, the Wonder Boys are averaging 25.0 points per game and 347.4 yards of total offense. Their ppg average ranks sixth in the GAC, while their total offense also ranks sixth. In the passing game, the Wonder Boys used a trio of quarterbacks with Ethan Forrester, Ethan Everson and Hunter Loyd making at least one start. Overall, Everson has played in all seven game and has made five starts. In his time on the field, Everson has thrown for 1,089 yards on 87-of-158 passing with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. As a team, their 217.3 passing yards per game rank third in the GAC. On the ground, the Wonder Boys have had 10 different ball carriers against this season. Deuce Wise has shouldered the largest load with 90 carries and leads the team in net yards with 441. Luke Gall is next on the team in rushing yards with 326. He also leads in rushing touchdowns with four. Myles West has come on as of late in the backfield and is up over 150 yards and has two touchdowns. Jordan Edington, who handles most of the short-yardage downs, has recorded three rushing touchdowns. The Wonder Boys’ 130.1 rushing yards per game ranks eighth in the GAC. In terms of receiving, Tech has had pass completions to 12 different targets. Joyrion Chase leads the team in receptions with 31, yards at 391 and has one receiving TD. Caleb Tanis is next with 388 yard on 26 receptions and is tied for the team-lead in touchdowns with two. Tight End Dayton Keller and wideouts Jordan Jackson and Jared Long are tied with Tanis for the lead in receiving touchdowns with two.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively through seven games, the Wonder Boys allow an average of 280.0 yards of total offense per game by their opponents and 25.1 points per game. The total defense ranks third in the GAC, while their scoring defense is fifth. Individually, Tech has six players that registered at least 25 tackles overall are led by Jyrin Steward and his 54 stops. Steward also lead the team in tackles for loss with 14.5 and has 2.0 sacks. Israel Whitmore is currently the team leader in sacks with 3.5. In terms of takeaways, the Wonder Boys have recovered three fumbles and come away with seven interceptions. Three of the picks have been hauled in by CJ Palmer. The Wonder Boys also have two pick-six interceptions this season with Diego Sanchez having a 62-yard one against Northwestern Oklahoma and Steward a 15-yard one against Southwestern Oklahoma. The fumble recoveries have been secured by Jordan Thompson, Tyler Mosley and Whitmore.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Christopher Baldazo has assumed the placekicking duties for the Wonder Boys and in seven games he is 11-for-12 in field goals with a long of 48 yards against Arkansas-Monticello. He is also 12-of-14 in extra point kicks. In the punting game, Logan Tymeson has been called upon to punt 30 times this season and is averaging 41.2 yards per punt. In the return game, Tyrique Jones leads the team in kickoff return yards with 90 yards on three returns. His long is 40 yards. On punts, he has returned three for 22 yards with a long of 16.
KNOW YO FOE
LAST GAME
The Ouachita Baptist football team is coming off a major 17-13 win in their heavyweight clash with Harding at home this past weekend. Both teams entered that game undefeated and were ranked in the top-10 in DII with Harding being No. 1 and Ouachita No. 9. In that game, the Tigers were able to do what no one had been able to do for the past 25 games and that was stiffle the Harding offense. Entering the game, Harding was averaging over 60 points per game and over 450 rushing yards a game. By the end, Ouachita held Harding to just 13 points and 218 yards on the ground.
THE COACH
The Tigers are coached by the longest-tenured head coach in the GAC in Todd Knight as Knight enters his 26th season as head coach at Ouachita and his 32nd overall. At Ouachita, Knight has amassed a 159-101 record and since the formation of the GAC in 2011, Knight’s Tigers have been a dominant force in the league sporting an impressive 112-29 record in league play. Having led the Tigers to five NCAA DII Playoff appearances, Knight is also a five-time GAC Coach of the Year as well as a three-time AFCA Region Three Coach of the Year.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively, the Tigers feature multiple offensive attacks. Through seven games, Ouachita ranks second in the GAC in scoring average at 39.7 ppg and fourth in total offense with an average of 364.7 ypg. On the ground, the Tigers are averaging 198.9 yards per game to rank fourth in th GAC. Through the air, they rank fourth with an average of 187.6 yards per game. The leading rusher thus far has been quarterback Eli Livingston with 439 yards gained on 68 carries with four touchdowns. The Tigers’ primary running back Kendel Givens is next in rushing with 433 yards on 107 carries and has a team-leading eight rushing TDs. Under center, for the Tigers is Eli Livingston. Through seven games, Livingston has completed 56 of 93 attempts for 885 yards and nine touchdowns. He has thrown three interceptions this season. The leading pass catcher is Connor Flannigan. Flannigan has 296 yards receiving on 26 receptions and has scored two touchdowns. Carter McElhany leads the team in TD receptions with three.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively, the Tigers base out of the 4-3 scheme and currently rank second in scoring defense allowing just 8.7 ppg. Their total defense is the second-ranked unit in the GAC as they are currently only allowing 243.1 ypg of total offense by their opponents. Collectively, the Tigers have forced 10 turnovers with five interceptions and five fumble recoveries. Individually, the Tigers have two tacklers with at least 40 stops and are led by Jax Miller and his 50 tackles. Mikey Gonzalez is the team leader in tackles for loss with 10.5 and sacks with 6.0.
Oklahoma Baptist vs Arkansas-Monticello 2:00 P.M.
Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium – Monticello, Arkansas
Series History: Series tied 4-4
Last Meeting: OKB, 28-7 (October 28, 2023)
Oklahoma Baptist Notes
No notes available.
Arkansas-Monticello Notes
The University of Arkansas at Monticello Football team hosts Oklahoma Baptist University this Saturday at Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium for the 2024 Military Appreciation Game, sponsored by South Arkansas Rehabilitation.
“Really looking forward to our game against Oklahoma Baptist on Saturday,” said Head Coach Hud Jackson. “We’re extremely excited about celebrating Military Appreciation Day at the game as well. We will have several veterans and high-ranking military officers here on our beautiful campus. Our team always plays better when we’re at home. We have to be focused on doing the little things right and being able to react to the changes that occur during a game. we will continue to play hard so that we have a chance to win. Winning is what matters. Eat’em Up!”
Below you will find important information regarding live coverage, tickets, game match-ups, and social media links to keep up with the game.
THE MATCHUP
The University of Arkansas at Monticello Football team is playing Oklahoma Baptist at home for the 4th time in program history. The teams have met 8 times since 2015, with their first meeting in Shawnee, OK. The result was a 28-56 loss for the Weevils.
LAST MEETING
Arkansas-Monticello lost to Oklahoma Baptist, 28-7 on the road in 2023. The Boll Weevils tabbed 149 yards of total offense, recording one touchdown in that contest. Austin Wadsworth led the air attack, connecting with 3-5 attempts for 15 yards. Gary Ferman led the team on the ground, rushing for a net of 85 yards in the contest, with a long of 14 yards.
All-TIME SERIES
UAM is tied in the all-time series, 4-4, with the last win for the Boll Weevils coming in 2022. Monticello is 3-0 at home against Oklahoma Baptist, with the last win being a score of 40-17 in 2022. The largest margin of victory for the Weevils came during the 2017 season with a 64-21 win. The Weevils average 33.25 points against the Bison.
PRE-GAME NOTES
The Boll Weevils are currently sitting 3-5, following a road loss to Henderson State in week eight. Monticello sits seventh in the GAC in scoring and seventh in total offense, averaging 17.3 points per contest and 298.4 yards per game. The Boll Weevils land seventh in the conference in rushing, posting 1096 total yards and averaging 137 on the ground per game. Defensively, UAM ranks eighth in total defense, surrendering 367.5 yards per contest, and ninth in scoring defense, allowing 33.9 points per game. Offensively, Quarterback Demilon Brown leads the running game, averaging 63.9 yards a contest. Isaiah Cross is the sixth-ranked target in the GAC, totaling 349 yards on 28 receptions for an average of 43.6 yards per game.
