Coming off of a victory in the Boomtown Classic over University of Arkansas-Monticello on Saturday, the Tiger football team is currently one of two undefeated programs in the inaugural season of Great American Conference play. The only other program that is carrying an unbeaten record to date is Southeastern Oklahoma State.
The Tigers look to use their previous two victories as momentum going into their game on Thursday night against the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions, who are currently 0-2 on the season after losing a heartbreaker to Upper Iowa in their first match-up by a score of 15-14 and then being completely overwhelmed by Midwestern State, losing by a score of 63-17. The Tigers are hoping that they can stretch their current winning streak, dating to last season, to four, with a win over the Lions.
First year starter and junior quarterback Casey Cooper has lit a fire under the Tiger offense, helping them to average 34.5 points per game and a total of 464.5 yards per game as well. Cooper has helped them both through the air and on the ground, currently averaging 68.5 yards per game with his legs, while throwing for 275.5 yards per game, including a 63.6 completion percentage and three touchdowns. Junior receiver Brett Reece has been Cooper’s favorite target this season, currently averaging 113 yards per game and being on the receiving end of one of Cooper’s three touchdown passes. Also helping Cooper out so far this season has been sophomore running back Chris Rycraw, who comes into Thursday’s contest with four rushing touchdowns after a spectacular 127 yard, two touchdown performance against UAM.
The Tigers have also received ample support from their defense, which is currently helping the Tigers out by forcing four turnovers and not allowing a score through the air so far this season. They have also been very adamant at stopping the run so far, holding their opponents to 119 yards per game, including a spectacular performance against East Central in which they only gave up 68 yards on the ground. The Tiger defense is led by senior linebacker Terrence Garrett, who is eating up opposing ball carriers with a team-high 16 tackles so far this season, including a sack. Also helping the Tigers out has been junior Dennis Stratton, who currently leads the team with three sacks, which he complements with his 14 total tackles and a forced fumble.
Other notable Tiger players are sophomore punter Clark Gaddis, who has been a special teams force for the Tigers, averaging 40.1 yards per punt and pinning opponents behind their own 20 yard line four times. Gaddis also collected a first down in Ouachita’s victory over UAM, when he saw some daylight and took off running for a gain of five yards and saving the Tiger offensive drive. Senior receiver Travis Anderson has also performed well for the Tigers, as he has currently collected 13 receptions on the season for a total of 140 yards.
As the Tigers travel to Commerce, they are going to be keeping a close eye on Lion receiver Taylor Fore, who will have to carry the load at receiver as fellow receiver Kenzee Jackson, who currently leads the Lions in receptions and yards, has been ruled out of the game due to injury. The Lions have been using two quarterbacks, Yogi Gallegos and J.J. Harp, both of which have been instrumental in helping the Lions to their 330 yards per game because their running game has been shut down by opponents. The current leading rusher for the Lions is Marcus Graham, who is currently only averaging about 40 yards per game on 11 rushes for a 3.7 yard per carry average.
The Lion defense is currently led by linebacker Cory Whitfield, who has collected 18 tackles this season, including three tackles for loss. Also notable are linebacker Matt Claggett, who has 14 tackles so far this year, and defensive back Israel Hughes, who currently holds nine tackles on the season.
The Tigers are looking to finish with a winning record for the fourth consecutive season this year. If they are able to succeed, it will be the first time since 1965-1968, which were the first four years of the tenure of the late Buddy Benson.
The contest will kick off at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Commerce, Texas. It will be broadcast on the Ouachita Football Network with pre-game coverage beginning at 6 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Wesley Kluck.
