MAGNOLIA, Ark. – As the 2026 season gets set to kickoff in just two short days, Brad Smiley enters his fifth season at the helm of the Mulerider football program ready for another season where he looks to improve on the teams 8-3 record just a year ago.
 
Broadcast Information
The Mulerider opener will be broadcast on the GAC Sports Network. Jeff Harrington and Ryan Phillips will also be calling the action on KMVZ 99.1.
 
The Muleriders will look to have a repeat of last year's performance against the Bison as they dominated the meeting in 2025, winning 49-14. Both sides of the ball were on full display in last season's meeting in Magnolia as the defense had three interceptions, including a 99-yard pick-six. The Blue and Gold also dominated the ground game, totaling 304 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Adam Parker and Hezekiah Harris combined for 233 passing yards and four touchdowns.
 
SAU Preview
SAU will have many familiar faces on the offensive side of the ball this year as they return eight players who started or made starts in games at one point during last season. These familiar faces include Adam Parker, Jacob Trussell, Cooper Sanders, Connor Hagerty, Tate Settle, Matthew Elder, Arkez Gomez, and Braden Stafford. These eight were pivotal parts of an offense that scored 28.8 points per game while also averaging 401.3 total offensive yards per game.
 
The defensive side of the ball will see the most change this year as only three players that saw significant action last year return. These players include Kendrick Juniel, Jaylon Blackston, and Junior Brown.
 
OBU Preview
The Bison will look to improve on a tough season finish last year as they totaled a 2-9 record. OBU made some major roster moves during the offseason, adding 34 freshmen and 20 transfers. The Bison offense will have a new face at quarterback this season as Brady Bricker is set to lead the offensive attack, while the top target from last year returns in Nick Harris.
 
The defense will be led by seniors Brady Luff and Bryce Starlin. Starlin totaled 17 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss last year while Luff totaled 57 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.
 
Series Notes

• The Muleriders lead the series 9-1 all time, with the Bison's only win coming on 10/30/2021 in Magnolia
• SAU is undefeated in Shawnee with a perfect 4-0 record
• The Muleriders average 50 points per game against the Bison and have scored 500 total points through 10 games played
• The largest margin of victory in the series was the SAU 65-10 win on 10/10/2024
• The smallest margin of victory in the series came on 9/14/2019, a 30-28 SAU victory