ARKADELPHIA, Ark.- Based on the stats up to this point in the season, it appears that no-one will be referring to Saturday’s game between the No. 10 Ouachita Tigers (6-0, 4-0 GAC) and the No. 25 Harding Bisons (5-1, 4-1 GAC) as an offensive shootout. In fact, it appears that it will be quite the opposite. The Tigers enter Saturday’s Top-25 match-up as the sixth best defense in the country, while the Bisons enter as the fifth ranked defense.
INTERESTING QUARTERBACK SITUATION
Ouachita is sticking with Ty Towers as the starting quarterback this week, but that doesn’t mean that Benson Jordan won’t see his share of action. Based on a combination of last week’s playing time and the fact that Jordan’s shoulder continues to heal, the Tigers are likely going to show the Bisons a number of different looks, with both quarterbacks seeing ample time on the field. Although the Tigers didn’t use the passing game much against Arkansas-Monticello, it is going to be a must against the tough defense that the Bisons are bringing to Arkadelphia.
So far this season, Harding is only averaging 92.67 yards per game through the air, with Kelvin Martin leading their attack. This isn’t due to a lack of effort or ability from Martin though, but rather Harding’s option offense. When run correctly, it can be one of the hardest offenses to stop in the game of football and Harding is as efficient as it gets. The Tiger defense will have its hands full with Martin and company.
DEFENSE GALORE
Ouachita’s front seven are going to be a pivotal group in this game, as they will have to slow down Martin and the Bisons aforementioned option attack. For the Tigers to be successful, they are going to have to snuff plays out as soon as possible and prevent the big gains. Ouachita is coming off a five interception performance from the defense, including two interception touchdowns. The Tiger defense currently sits as the fifth best in the country, but it will be up against one of the best rushing offenses in the country on Saturday.
Along with the Tigers, this year’s Harding defense is known for keeping opponents off of the board (barring their 38-10 loss to Henderson State last week). The Tiger offense is going to have to keep the Bisons off-guard by not getting too predictable if they want to be successful.
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
The Tigers and Bisons both like to focus on the ground game. For the Tigers, Chris Rycraw has been stellar. Against UAM he recorded 22 carries for 242 yards and a touchdown, averaging 11 yards per carry. A lot of his success lays on the shoulders of the Tiger offensive line, who is going to have to work much harder against the Harding front seven than they did against the Boll Weevils.
Since Harding is an option team, most of their yardage comes on the ground. Three players carry the load of work for Harding. Martin is currently averaging 61.2 yards per game on the ground this season, while his counterparts Romo Westbrook and D’Nico Jackson-Best are averaging 61.8 and 44.5 yards respectively.
A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON
This history lesson won’t involve finding new lands, overthrowing governments or creating an industrial revolution. However, the Tigers and Bisons have a storied history. The two teams have met a total of 53 times, with the Bisons currently leading the all-time series by a total of 28-21-4. The Tigers have the advantage in the recent games though, winning two of the last three meetings, including a 31-27 Tiger victory last season.
The last time that Harding recorded a victory over the Tigers was in 2009, when they spoiled Ouachita’s homecoming game with a 21-7 victory in what was a rainy mess of a game.
MEDIA COVERAGE ADDITION
Along with the normal seven stations that carry the Ouachita Football Network, Rex Nelson and company can be heard on 103.7 The Buzz in Little Rock this Saturday as well. Pre-game coverage will begin at noon on Saturday with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
Saturday’s contest will take place at A.U. Williams Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Photo by Dr. Wesley Kluck
