Big plays fueled nationally sixth-ranked Ouachita Baptist University’s 42-13 Great American Conference football win over Arkansas Tech University at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville on Saturday night.
The Tigers (2-0) scored on a 54-yard touchdown run by Brockton Brown and touchdown passes of 45 and 75 yards by Brayden Brazeal as part of building a 28-13 lead early in the third quarter.
Ouachita sealed its 19th consecutive GAC win with two scoring drives in excess of six minutes.
The first resulted in a 2-yard touchdown run by Brown with 41 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The second culminated in a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Shun’Cee Thomas with 7:25 to go in the fourth period.
Gabe Goodman added his sixth point after touchdown kick of the night following Thomas’ touchdown to set the final score.
Brazeal finished 12-of-15 passing for 227 yards and three touchdowns. Brown carried nine times for 85 yards and Thomas rushed 19 times for 72 yards.
OBU’s Allie Freeman caught seven passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. The Swoboda brothers — Tucker and Hunter — both caught a touchdown pass for the Tigers.
ATU starting quarterback Manny Harris completed 16-of-24 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown. Drew Wade caught that scoring strike — a 53-yard pass with 6:42 to go in the second quarter — and finished with seven receptions for 105 yards.
LaVall McNulty led the Tech defense with seven tackles, and ATU’s Jesus Zizumbo connected on field goals of 34 and 45 yards.
The Wonder Boys (0-2) will visit Henderson State University for a 6 p.m. GAC contest at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium in Arkadelphia on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.
