On a cold Thursday afternoon in the fall of 1895, both the Tigers of Ouachita Baptist College and the Reds of Arkansas Methodist College (as it was formerly known) dug in deep to burn off the calories of their early morning Thanksgiving feasts. They would take the field on that fateful afternoon and initiate one of the oldest and most unique rivalries in all of college football.
Fast-forward 118 years to the 2013 Battle of the Ravine. Undefeated Henderson State, which had already clinched a playoff berth, visited A.U. Williams Field to play the underdog Ouachita Tigers. Before a crowd of 9,630 fans from both schools finding seats wherever they could, even on the grass berms in the end zones, the Ouachita Tigers found themselves down 31-21 as the fourth quarter began. But the Tigers were not dismayed behind a rushing attack that would hit three rushing touchdowns on the day. Benson Jordan also threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns.
The Tigers scored on a pass to Ka’Vontae Pope from Jordan. After a three-and-out from the Reddies, Etauj Allen took a punt all the way back for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 35-31 lead. Henderson St. scored again and the Tigers tied with a field goal from Matthew Ehasz as time expired to push the game to overtime.
In the third overtime, Jordan threw an interception on fourth down to end the game. After a game time of over four hours, all 9,630 fans were still glued to their seats.
The game, which has been labeled by many as the “Greatest Battle of the Ravine Ever,” will live infamously in the Ouachita fans’ hearts that attended. For Henderson St. fans, victory was hard-fought and won impressively. Last year, Ouachita was victorious: a win that capped a season marked by incredible distinction for the history of the Ouachita Baptist football program.
For many alumni, the rivalry is remembered from the pranks that were pulled. From usual tales of egging and glitter, to unusal tales invovling presidential candidates and movie stars.
One story includes the Ouachita homecoming queen being kidnapped by Henderson St. cheerleaders. They held her kidnapped in a Hot Springs lakehouse, where she wasn’t able to make any phone calls. Ike Sharp, a particularly keen friend of hers, began searching. He was rumored to have had a shotgun hidden in his overalls. Luckily for everyone involved, she was returned in time for the game, but the story was cemented.
As an addition to that story, current athletic director David Sharp’s father, Ike Sharp was the one on a mission to find the homecoming queen, who eventually married none other than the famous Ouachita basketball coach Bill Vining.
On a much less serious note, a group of Henderson St. students spraypainted marshmellows and commandeered a plane from another student. They then proceeded to drop them all over the campus of Ouachita.
No matter the prank, the tradition is one that has reigned on the campuses of both Universities for a long time and isn’t likely to let up any time soon.
The Tigers will certainly face a tough team on Saturday, embodying the Reddie Spirit—A team, determined to take away any joy that Ouachita fans might have.
In the heart of every Tiger lies passion. It’s what drives them to be who they are. The Tiger spirit is alive and well — it is what makes Ouachita so unique. No doubt that will show on Saturday afternoon at Cliff Harris Stadium. The Tigers, who will play the Henderson St. Reddies at 1 p.m., will bring thousands of fans with them, ready to cheer on the Tigers as they do battle.
And no matter the weather or circumstances, the fans will be there in full support: nothing stops a Tiger from its passion. Nothing stops it from doing as it pleases.
That’s the spirit of a Tiger.
Within the blood of a Tiger runs purple. It’s a fact that can’t be disputed by any biologist, veterinarian, or zoologist. It roams football fields nationwide, searching for prey to devour.
It has found it’s prey headed to the house of the Tiger—Cliff Harris Stadium. On Saturday, the Tiger will defend home. Will you be there to watch?
