OBU Tigers Remain Perfect with Win Over SAU

 

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – A 50-yard punt return for a touchdown by Etauj Allen and two second-half rushing touchdowns by Kiehl Frazier helped the #13 Ouachita Tigers improve to 8-0 for the first time since 1914 and end a two-game losing streak to Southern Arkansas with a 38-28 win on Senior Day at Cliff Harris Stadium.

The Muleriders struck first in the opening of the first quarter. After forcing Ouachita to a three and out on their first possession, SAU quarterback Si Blackshire went 2-3 for 72 yards, completing a 40-yard TD reception to Zikerious Wade.

After trading the next two possessions, Ouachita quarterback Kiehl Frazier hit Spencer Knight on a seam route down the middle for a 47-yard touchdown pass, his first touchdown of the season. The first quarter ended with a 7-7 tie. Both teams finished the quarter with 17 plays on offense. The Tigers finished with a slight edge in total yards, outpacing Southern Arkansas 144-128.

The OBU Tigers increased their lead by seven with 9:01 remaining in the second quarter when Frazier hit Brandon Marks out of the backfield on a wheel route down the left sideline. The pass-play was good for 24 yards and gave the Tigers a 14-7 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Tigers forced a fumble from return man Deion Williams and it was recovered by Ricardy Joseph on the SAU 25 yard line. Ouachita drove down to the Mulerider 12 yard line but came away empty-handed after a missed field goal attempt.

Southern Arkansas’ Si Blackshire responded to the failed attempt with a 7 play, 80 yard drive capped off by a 15-yard touchdown pass to tie it at 14-14. On the Mulerider’s kickoff, the ball was misplayed by the Tigers special teams and SAU recovered on the Ouachita 37 yard line. On the first play of the drive, Blackshire connected on a 37-yard touchdown pass to Sydney Moore to give SAU a 21-14 lead.

Matt Ehasz connected on a 26-yard field goal to make it 21-17 in favor of Southern Arkansas. The Tigers would go into halftime trailing by four.

The third quarter ended in a scoreless stalemate, with the Tigers driving into Southern Arkansas’s red zone. The Tigers had a first-and-goal from the SAU nine yard line to start the final quarter and on the first play of the fourth, Kiehl Frazier powered his way into the end zone and give the Tigers a 24-21 lead. The scoring play capped off a 13 play, 82 yard drive that began with 5:21 left in the third quarter.

On the next possession by SAU, Tiger’s defensive lineman Waymon Johnson, Jr. sacked Blackshire, forcing a fumble that was recovered by senior Kyle Lamothe. The Tiger offense drove down the field on six plays and scored on Frazier’s second rushing touchdown of the game.

Leading 31-21, the Tigers forced the Muleriders to punt after a three-and-out. Tiger return man Etauj Allen fielded the 32-yard punt on the 50 and returned it for his third punt-return touchdown of the season and the sixth of his career. The 50-yard return gave Allen the Ouachita single-season record for punt return yards. He currently has 351 yards in 2014 breaking the record of 344 yards set in 1970 by Jim Boyette.

SAU’s Blackshire would throw for another touchdown cutting the Tigers lead to 38-28. On a fourth and 10 with 29 seconds left, Blackshire was picked off by senior Jeremy Small, his second in back-to-back games to seal the win for Ouachita.

For Ouachita, senior quarterback Kiehl Frazier finished 12-23-0 for 240 yards and two touchdowns. He also carried the ball 14 times for 39 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior running back Steven Kehner carried the ball 21 times for 86 yards and had one catch for 11 yards. Brandon Marks had 98 yards on 13 carries. He also had two catches for 45 yards and a score.   Senior fullback Spencer Knight had one catch for 47 yards and touchdown.

Senior wide receivers Jalen Jones had one catch for 23 yards and Drew White had three catches for 44 yards.

Senior Etauj Allen had two punt returns for a 23 yard average. His longest return was 50 yards, which was returned for a touchdown. He had two tackles on defense.

Senior defensive end Dave Fair had six tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. Zack Mitchell finished with five tackles and one tackle for loss. Gerald Warner and Dion Young each finished with two tackles. Jeremy Smallfinished with one tackle and one interception. Kyle Lamothe had one tackle and one fumble recovery, his third of the year. Matt Mainiero finished with one tackle.

Seniors Aaron SprinkleBrent Calhoun and Michael Rogers helped the Tigers gain 239 rushing yards and did not allow a sack by the Muleriders defense.

Senior Matt Ehasz finished 1-3 on field goal attempts and 5-5 on extra point attempts.

OBU Tigers remain perfect

 

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