ARKADELPHIA, AR- As the Ouachita Tigers (6-2, 5-0 GAC) travel to Durant, Oklahoma for their game against Southeastern Oklahoma State this weekend, they are playing for more than just a conference victory. In fact, if the Tigers defeat the Savage Storm, they will capture the first Great American Conference championship and the first conference championship for a Ouachita football team since 1982.
LOOKING BACK A FEW YEARS
The Tigers’ last conference championship came in 1982 under legendary head coach Buddy Benson. The Tigers were still a member of the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference at the time. Since that championship, the Tigers have played in the Lone Star Conference, Gulf South Conference and now the Great American Conference. Ouachita’s history with Southeastern Oklahoma State dates way back and contains a lot of history, as Benson captured his first and his 100th win against SEOSU and former NFL star Cliff Harris played his first game as a Tiger against the Savage Storm in 1966.
OUACHITA’S SURGING GROUND GAME
The Tiger offense has been very versatile this season, as sophomore running back Chris Rycraw and junior back Daniel McGee have had an opportunity to lead the Tigers down the field on multiple occasions, while junior quarterback Casey Cooper has had opportunities of his own. Rycraw currently holds 551 rushing yards this season while scoring 11 touchdowns and averaging 68.9 yards per game. McGee currently has 480 yards of his own on the ground for eight touchdowns and 60 yards per game. Cooper currently holds 790 rushing yards on the year, including eight touchdowns and 98.8 yards per game average which he has complemented with his arm, throwing for 1396 yards so far this season and seven touchdowns. If the Tigers decide to attack Southeastern through the air, they have a group of very dependable receivers, including seniors Travis Anderson, Clint Dewitt and Phillip Supernaw, as well as junior Brett Reece. Anderson leads the team with 25 receptions, while Reece leads the team in receiving yards with 400 so far this season.
TIGER SPECIAL TEAMS IMPORTANT
Although they have been great on offense, the Tigers have received a huge boost from the play of their special teams. Junior kicker Jason Fowler has been on a roll, converting 8 of 13 field goals on the season for a 61.5 percentage while converting two from 40 yards out. Fowler has also converted 31 PAT’s this season, making him the second leading scorer on the Tigers with 55 points. Rycraw is the only player ahead of Fowler, with 72. Sophomore punter Clark Gaddis has been an ace at placing opponents within their own 20 this season, collecting 13 punts inside the 20 this season while averaging 39.9 yards per punt. He currently holds a long of 57 yards.
PACKING A PUNCH
The Tiger defense received a reward for their efforts this week, as senior Terrence Garrett was named Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Week after holding a potent Harding offensive attack to 27 points and collecting 15 tackles. The Tiger defense has collected 17 sacks on the season, putting them in the top three in the GAC, while forcing a total of 20 turnovers by opposing offenses. Garrett leads Ouachita with 65 tackles, while junior linebacker Augustine Ume-Ezeoke currently holds 57. Junior safety Dijon Benton has 47 tackles of his own, along with two interceptions, five pass break ups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
DON’T LET THEIR RECORD FOOL YOU
Although Southeastern’s record is only 2-6 so far this season, they are a very good team. So far this season, their biggest loss was a 16 point loss to Henderson State. They played Arkansas-Monticello very close, falling 24-20 in a heartbreaker and lost to East Central by only 10, falling by a score of 37-27.
STORMING DOWN THE FIELD
Southeastern boasts a very balanced offensive attack, including quarterback Logan Turner’s 1331 passing yards and nine touchdowns for a 109.7 efficiency rating. Running back CJ Kirk has been the Savage Storm’s primary option at running back, collecting 478 yards and a touchdown so far this season while averaging 59.8 yards per game. Don Brown is Southeastern’s primary short yardage back as he currently holds 125 total yards of offense but seven touchdowns. The Tiger secondary is going to have to hone in on receiver Ryan Shelley. Shelley currently holds five of the Savage Storm’s nine passing touchdowns this season on 36 receptions and 450 yards. He is averaging 56.2 receiving yards per game.
SEOSU DEFENSIVE UNIT
Southeastern Oklahoma’s defense is currently led by Houston Slemp, who has 62 tackles going into Saturday’s contest, including an interception and three pass break ups. Also notable is Johnny Seals, who has 49 tackles on the season, including 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. The Tigers offensive line is going to have their work cut out for them, as the Savage Storm have been a force in the backfield, currently holding 43 tackles for loss on the season.
Kickoff will take place at 2 p.m. All of the action can be heard by tuning into any of the Tiger Football Network affiliates listed below or by listening at www.obutigers.com.
