Tigers win Murphy USA Classic over Muleriders
Ouachita Athletics
Nick Bushart
EL DORADO – Ouachita takes down Southern Arkansas, 38-21, in the Murphy USA Classic behind Brockton Brown’s 149 yards and three touchdowns.
Allie Freeman became the first player in Great American Conference history to record over 5,000 career all purpose yards. Freeman brought in six receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown. He was Brayden Brazeal’s favorite target who went 8-15 on the day with 130 yards and a touchdown.
Brown led the rushing attack for the second week in a row scoring three touchdowns in bouth of the last two games. Shun’cee Thomas and TJ Cole both put in great games for the Tigers. Thomas recorded 81 yards also putting in a touchdown while Cole added 82 yards on the ground.
The Tigers defense flew to the ball during the game led by Austin Guymon and Terrell Gibson who both recorded 11 tackles a piece. Jonathan Harris had eight tackles and a forced fumble while Gregory Junior had seven tackles, five of which were solo tackles. Anthony Freeman was vital in the trenches with two quarterback pressures in the game.
On the first drive, Ouachita took the ball and drove 75 yards for a touchdown. The drive was capped off by a one yard rush by Brown. After the defense forced a punt, Ouachita regained possession at their own 16 yard line. It did not take long for Brown to put in his second touchdown on a 42 yard rush giving the Tigers a 14-0 lead.
The Muleriders punted the ball again before the end of the first quarter setting up the Tigers third touchdown in the first 17 minutes. The Tigers showed off the passing game during the third drive with Freeman catching a 35 yard touchdown pass from Brazeal. The Muleriders scored again before the half as the teams went into the break with the score 21-7.
After the Muleriders scored on their first drive of the second half, the Tigers answered with Brown’s third score of the day with a four yard rush extending the Ouachita lead to 28-14. Going into the fourth SAU put up another score which was answered by a Tigers field goal. With 7:31 left in the game the score sat at 31-21. On the kickoff after the field goal Jonathan Harris forced a fumble recovered by Cole Edrington and gave the Tigers the ball back up 10. In two plays Shun’Cee Thomas put in a 26 yard rushing touchdown. That is all the Tigers needed to capture the win.
The Tigers will back at Cliff Harris Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9 against Arkansas at Monticello at 1 p.m. For up to date information on Ouachita Tiger Football follow their Twitter, (OuachitaFB) , Facebook (OuachitaTigerFootball) and Instagram (OuachitaFB). Also follow Ouachita Athletics on social media at Twitter (OuachitaTigers), Facebook (Ouachita Athletics) and on Instagram (OuachitaTigers).