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SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
MULERIDERS
6-3 (6-3 GAC)
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(RV) OUACHITA
TIGERS
7-2 (7-2 GAC)
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GAME NOTES | SAU | OUA | GAC Weekly FB Notebook
Setting the Scene: South Arkansas Showdown: Muleriders, Tigers meet in El Dorado for Murphy USA Classic
For the fourth-straight year and seventh time overall, the Southern Arkansas Mulerider Football team will make the short trip east along U.S. Highway 82 for a Great American Conference tilt at the Murphy USA Classic at Memorial Stadium in El Dorado, Arkansas. The Muleriders (6-3, 6-3 GAC) meet (RV) Ouachita Baptist (7-2, 7-2 GAC) for the second time in the classic with the 2017 edition holding heavy postseason implications for both teams.
The Tigers are making their third trip to El Dorado and first since a 2015 defeat to Southern Arkansas that came down to the game's final play. On Saturday, SAU and OBU meet for the seventh time since the pair became charter members of the Great American Conference in 2011 with the series tied at three during that time span. The Muleriders will look to avenge a heart-breaking quadruple overtime loss to Ouachita last season in Arkadelphia, while attempting to stay in the mix atop the league standings. For the Tigers, they are looking for their fourth consecutive win, with hopes of improving on their No. 7 ranking in the latest Super Region Three Regional Rankings. Kickoff from Union County is scheduled for 2 p.m.
About Ouachita
SCHEDULE
The Ouachita football team enters play this weekend with a 7-2 overall record and a 7-2 record in the Great American Conference. The Tigers are in a two-way atop the GAC standings with Arkansas Tech. Ouachita has won their last three games and have scored 107 points over their last two games.
THE COACH
The Tigers are coached by Todd Knight, who is in his 19th season at Ouachita and his 25th overall as a collegiate head coach. In his time at Ouachita, Knight has amassed a 98-93 overall record and has led the Tigers to a winning season each of the past 10 years including this season, going 70-32 (.686) in that time. Prior to returning to his alma mater to coach, Knight was the head coach at Delta State for six years. In his time at Delta, Knight went 28-32-2 overall, but led the Statesmen to an 8-3 record and a trip to the NCAA DII playoffs his final season in 1998.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively, the Tigers are averaging 37.8 points per game and 445.9 yards of total offense per game as well. 245.4 of those yards per game is coming on the ground while the remaining 200.4 yards are being gained through the air. In the GAC, the Tigers rank second in Total Offense, Scoring Offense, and in Rushing Offense, while ranking 9th in passing offense.
The signal-caller for the Tigers is Austin Warford and the redshirt senior has completed 121-of-182 passes for 1,714 yards and 9 TDs while throwing just 2 INTs.
Warford also leads the team in rushing with 631 yards and sixtouchdowns on 103 carries. Kris Oliver is the primary tailback and is second on the team with 620 yards and three touchdowns on 100 rush attempts. Primary wide receiver Drew Harris has also seen significant time as a ball-carrier with a GAC-best 15 rushing touchdowns. Harris has also totaled 336 yards on 55 carries.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively, the Tigers are allowing 22.7 points per game and 409.2 yards of Total Offense per game with 230.0 of those yards coming through the air and 179.2 yards on the ground. Among the GAC rankings, the Tigers rank third in Scoring Defense, sixth in Rushing Defense while also ranking eighth in Total Defense and ninth Passing Defense.
On the year, the Tigers have forced 16 turnovers with 10 being interceptions and six being fumble recoveries.
The leading tackler for the Tigers is Elijah Jones with 74. John Rachal leads the team in sacks with 3.5 and four Tigers are tied for the team lead in interceptions with two apiece.
THE SERIES
This will be the 74th meeting all-time between the Muleriders and the Tigers with Ouachita holding a slight lead in the series, 37-35-1. Since 1970, however, the two teams have met 44 times with SAU edging out Ouachita 23-21. This will be the second time that the Muleriders and Tigers have met in the Murphy USA Classic. SAU won that initial neutral site clash in 2015, beating Ouachita 32-28.
Record Watch
Records Within Reach - Career (Individual)
» Pass Attempts - (Record: 1,166 - Tyler Sykora, 2009-13)
Current:
Barrett Renner (1,141 | -25)
» Reception Yards - (Record: 2,852 - Nik Lewis, 2000-03)
Current:
Jonathan Weisheit (1,985 | -867)
Current:
Tanner Hudson (1,921 | -931)
» Receptions - (Record: 175 -
Jonathan Weisheit, (2014-present)
Current:
Tanner Hudson (132 | -43)
» TD Receptions - (Record: 36 - Nik Lewis, 2000-03)
Current:
Tanner Hudson (24 | -12)
» All-Purpose Yards - (Record: 4,184, Mark Johnson, 2008-13)
Current:
Jonathan Weisheit (3,045 | 1,139)
» Total Points Scored - (Record: 264 - Mark Johnson, 2008-13)
Current:
Bradford Grems (245 | -19)
» Punt Return Yards - (Record: 629 - Nik Lewis, 2000-03)
Current:
Jonathan Weisheit (545 | -84)
» Sacks - (Record: 25.0 - David Sanders, 1989-1992)
Current:
Davondrick Lison (18.5 | -6.5)
(-# indicates number from TYING record)
New Records Set - Career (Individual)
» Pass Completitions - (New Record: 737 -
Barrett Renner, 2015-present)
Former Record: 658 - Tyler Sykora, 2009-13
» Receptions - (New Record: 175 -
Jonathan Weisheit, 2014-present)
Former Record: 162 - Nik Lewis, 2000-03
» Total Offense - (New Record: 9,706 -
Barrett Renner, 2015-present)
Former Record: 8,847 - Tyler Sykora, 2009-13
» Passing TDs - (New Record: 86 -
Barrett Renner, 2015-present)
Former Record: 82 - Tyler Sykora, 2009-13
» TDs Responsible For - (New Record: 88 -
Barrett Renner, 2015-present)
Former Record: 83 - Tyler Sykora, 2009-13
» Passing Yards - (New Record: 9,072 -
Barrett Renner, 2015-present)
Former Record: 9,010 - Tyler Sykora, 2009-13
