Ouachita marked the opening of Cliff Harris Stadium tonight as the Ouachita Tigers defeated the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm 28-7.
Sticking to the run game early, the Tigers picked up their initial first down of the game on the legs of Stephen Kehner. Frazier then hit Jalen Jones for another first down, advancing the Tigers to the Crimson Storm 37 yard line. Frazier again found Jalen Jones on a laser pass for 28 yards. From the 12-yard line, Frazier rolled to his right and found Jalen Jones on a crossing route in the end zone for the Tigers’ first touchdown of the season.
Southern Nazarene’s Brian Yenor scampered for a first down in the early part of the Crimson Storm’s drive. On second down, the Tigers’ Dave Fair sacked Quarterback James Mauro for an 11-yard loss. The third down pass was incomplete and the Crimson Storm had to punt.
“It was good to get a good solid win,” Head Coach Todd Knight said. “We didn’t come out with any major injuries and we handled many of the distractions well.”
The punt was short, being downed at the nine-yard line. There was a flag and the Crimson Storm had to re-punt. On the return, Etauj Allen return the punt back for a touchdown but a block in the back put the Tigers with first-and-ten on their own 40 yard line.
On third-and-one from the Crimson Storm 46-yard line, Stephen Kehner broke away to score with 4:45 left in the first quarter. The extra point was good giving the Tigers a 14-0 lead.
Austin Williams of Southern Nazarene caught a 10-yard pass from Mauro to give the Crimson Storm a first down. After a pass interference call to advance the Crimson Storm to their own 49, the Crimson Storm fumbled on third down and Gerald Warner returned it to the Crimson Storm 35. Frazier then hit Jalen Jones at the 14-yard line for another first down. Kiehl Frazier then fumbled the ball on the Crimson Storm 10 yard line and Southern Nazarene recovered.
After a five-yard penalty for illegal procedure, the Tigers took over after a Southern Nazarene punt at the Southern Nazarene 36-yard line. Kehner, off a slip screen, pick up 10 yards and set up a third down where Frazier threw for the end-zone but was off-target. On fourth down, the Frazier rolled to his right again and threw for Ke’Vonte Pope, but the pass was broken up.
Responding to Ouachita’s turnover-on-downs, Yenor broke free for a Southern Nazarene first down advancing the Crimson Storm to their own 45-yard line. Mauro, rolled to his right on third down, throwing short of his intended receiver. Zack Mitchell intercepted the pass for a turnover.
Frazier hit Jalen Jones again for another first down to start the drive. Then, Frazier hit Brandon Marks who took the ball all the way for another Ouachita Tiger touchdown. The Tigers lead 21-0 with 6:43 left in the second quarter.
Lorenzo Alexander busted free on the Crimson Storm’s next drive for a 56-yard rush. The next play, Mauro passed for another first down on the Tiger 6-yard line. After stalling there, the Crimson Storm attempted a run on fourth-and-goal and was stuffed by the Ouachita defense.
At the end of the first half with Ouachita ahead 21-0. Frazier was 12-20 for 155 yards and 2 TD’s. Jalen Jones had nine receptions for 104 yards and a score. Kehner also added 79 yards on 7 rushes. Brandon Marks also scored a touchdown and had 25 yards rushing.
To start the second half, Southern Nazarene failed to get a first down and punted on their first series. Frazier, hitting on all cylinders in the first drive of the second half, marched the Tigers down the field completing multiple passes and also rushing for two first downs on the drive. From the one yard line, Stephen Kehner punched the ball into the end zone for his second touchdown on the day and a 28-0 lead with 10:32 left in the third quarter.
Frazier was pulled in the fourth quarter, along with a few other starters
“Kiehl had a good night tonight,” Coach Knight said. “He looked really good in the first half.”
Frazier finished the game completing 19-30 passes for 209 yards and 2 TD’s. He also rushed for 51 yards on 11 carries. Stephen Kehner had 16 carries for 106 yards rushing and 2 TD’s. Jalen Jones had 12 receptions for 119 yards.
