OBU Tigers Head To Heart of Texas Bowl

COPPERAS COVE, Texas – The OBU Tigers will face the Tarleton State football team in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl in Copperas Cove on Saturday, Dec. 7.

The Texans, who finished the regular-season 7-3 overall and claimed a share of the Lone Star Conference title with a record of 5-1, will face Ouachita Baptist. The Tigers went 7-3 overall, finishing in third place in the Great American Conference.

The game will be played at Bulldawg Stadium in Copperas Cove, with a kickoff set for 6:30 p.m.

“Our student athletes, coaches, managers and trainers are all deserving of this honor and we look forward to playing the Lone Star Co-Champion Tarleton State University,” Coach Knight said.

Athletic Director David Sharp said he also is pleased about the Tigers’ bowl opportunity. “This team has worked hard all season and has been successful both on and off the field,” Sharp said. “I’m very happy that the players get the chance to play one more game this year.”

“We are excited about the opportunity to continue to play,” Tarleton head coach Cary Fowler said. “The Heart of Texas Bowl gives us an opportunity to play a very good team in Ouachita Baptist University. I am excited that we have three weeks to practice our young team and continue to develop our young talent.”

The Texans will be making its first bowl appearance since 1986 and its fourth appearance overall. Tarleton’s last trip to a bowl game came back on Nov. 22, 1986, against Benedictine (Kan.) in the Sunflower Bowl in Winfield, Kan. The Texans won the contest 40-38.

The Texans and Tigers have met just three times in series history, with OBU leading the all-time series 2-1. The Heart of Texas Bowl will mark the first match-up between the two teams since 1994.

The bowl is sponsored by C.H.A.M.P.S., (Communities Helping Americans Mature Progress and Succeed) a school-based program aimed at educating students about the dangers of the abuse of illicit drugs and alcohol, and was founded by Copperas Cove Head Coach and Athletic Director Jack Welch.

Participating teams will be expected to arrive Friday before the game. The bowl committee will provide various meals and entertainment for the participants, including a Friday night banquet. Also, both teams will have the opportunity to participate in learning and community engagement activities while in Copperas Cove.

Tickets will go on sale on Monday, Nov. 25. Tickets can be purchased through the office of the Ouachita Athletic Department by calling (870) 245-5182 or by emailing sharpd@obu.edu.

Ticket prices will be $20 for adults and $10 for students.