Ouachita Baptist University will open the 2009 football season on the road on Saturday, Sept. 5, when the Tigers visit NAIA-member Texas College for the season opener at Chapel Hill High School in Tyler, TX.
The Tigers look to extend a five-game winning streak that dates back to Oct. 11 of the 2008 season, and also continue a five-game non-conference winning streak, as well.
The difference in 2008 came in the form of red zone efficiency. The Tigers led the Gulf South Conference in red zone offense and fourth-down conversion efficiency. The result was a 7-3 season, which the Tigers hadn’t witnessed since 1985.
“This team is one of the more fun teams we’ve ever coached,” Ouachita Baptist Head Football Coach Todd Knight said. “These guys have such a positive attitude and work ethic and there’s just a lot of great leaders on this team. The bottom line is that we’ve got to get better. We’re excited about 7-3, but we’ve got to make that next step from conference contenders to conference champions and make it to the regional playoffs.”
Ouachita looks to use a balanced attack against a Texas College squad, which enters the matchup coming off of a 68-0 loss to Concordia-Selma. The matchup will mark the first meeting between both schools.
On the offensive end, the Tigers were fourth in scoring in the GSC in ’08 with 34.1 points per game, scoring 40-plus points in each of the final three games. The squad ranked among the top five in the GSC in six statistical categories: rushing (4th), passing efficiency (3rd), turnover margin (2nd), red zone offense (1st), time of possession (4th), and field goal percentage (1st).
Among the eight returners on offense will be All-Gulf South Conference preseason team member Keldrick Johnson at running back. The senior from Monroe, Louisiana led all GSC running backs in rushing with 996 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. Johnson has also been honored to the D2Football.com All-GSC team, as well.
At quarterback, junior Eli Cranor of Russellville will lead the Ouachita passing attack. Cranor will be making his Division II debut as a starting quarterback, after serving as a backup to record setter Lance Parker last season.
Senior Jeremy Young returns after leading the GSC in all-purpose yards last season with 1,584 yards. Young is also the leading returner for the Tigers in receiving yards with 686 yards and six touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the football, the Tigers return eight starters, including senior Jerry McNeil at defensive end. McNeil finished 2008 with 10 sacks to lead the GSC, and has been named to the All-GSC preseason team this season.
McNeil finished as a second team All-GSC performer in ’08. Other key returnees include junior Blake Burkett at linebacker and junior defensive tackle Bryan Church. Burkett is the leading returner in tackles with 58, while Church totaled 38 stops and six sacks. n
