OBU Tigers Go to 2-0; OBU 24-ECU 17

OBU 24-ECU 17

ADA, OKLA. – The East Central University football team dropped a 17-24 decision to Ouachita Baptist at Norris Field in Great American Conference action.

The Tigers (1-2, 1-2 GAC) scored two touchdowns and a field goal, with sophomore Spencer Bond helping on both TD’s.  Bond finished the game 21-of-38 passing and rushed 10 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. Junior JoJo Snell added 56 yards rushing, while senior George Robbins was the top connection for Bond, with six catches for 82 yards.

Defensively ECU was led by senior Fred Gaines, with eight total tackles (6-4) and three pass break-ups. Junior Daniel Holland was also a strong defensive force, with 5.5 (4-3) total tackles, one sack (three yards), two tackles-for-loss (seven yards) and one quarterback hurry.

The teams traded points in the opening half of action, with ECU scoring first in each quarter.  The Tigers first tallied a 25-yard field goal from freshman Trevor Hunt, with 10:52 left in the first quarter.  OBU (2-0, 2-0 GAC) added its own field goal to end the first quarter tied at three.

The Tigers then took a 10-3 advantage, with 14:20 left in the second quarter, when Bond connected with Junior Michael Allen for a 20-yard passing TD.  OBU tied the game at 10-all, with a touchdown with just 1:02 left on the clock before the intermission.

After the break OBU came out and took control of the momentum, scoring a touchdown in both the third and fourth quarters for a 24-10 advantage.

The Tigers tried to make a come-back late in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to one TD when Bond took the ball in himself for a 10-yard rushing TD, with 3:31 left in the game.

However, that was all ECU would be allowed to do on offense for the game, as OBU ran out the clock on their final possession for the win.

ECU earned a 423-381 yard advantage in total offense, but was only able to garner 18 first downs to 27 by OBU.  The main reason for the difference in first downs was penalties.  The Tigers committed 13 penalties for 124 yards, while OBU was penalized just three times for 29 yards.

The ECU Tigers hit the road for a GAC match-up with No. 10 Henderson State, Saturday, Sept. 28 in Arkadelphia, Ark.  Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium at Ruggles Field.

The OBU Tigers host Southeastern Oklahoma St. Sept. 28, in Arkadelphia.

Courtesy ECU Department of Athletics