Southern Arkansas held off a good second half showing by the Bison to defeat Oklahoma Baptist 38-20 in Magnolia, Arkansas, Saturday.
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The Muleriders scored on two long drives in the first half and three
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Barrett Renner threw to Tanner Hudson for a nine-yard touchdown pass to complete an 83-yard drive for a 7-0 lead two minutes into the second quarter.
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Deandre Jenkins ran one in from seven yards out to finish off a 73-yard drive for a 14-0 lead with 2:46 to go in the half.
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Jailen Garrett and
Phillip Spess had interceptions and
Kimes Gilbert and
Tanner Robertson had sacks to thwart other SAU first-half drives.
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OBU's defense helped set up the first Bison score as Gilbert forced a fumble and Garrett got on the loose ball at the SAU 16.
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Dez Stegall scored on a keeper from there to make it a one-score game, 14-7, with 21 seconds gone in the third quarter.
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The Muleriders got the next three scores, scoring touchdown on drives of 36 and 30 yards and a field goal to cap a drive that started at the OBU 30. Renner threw to Garrett Turnbull for the first touchdown and Corey Jenkins ran in the second before Bradford Grems added a 31-yard field goal for a 31-7 lead.
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Cooper Koons had a 65-yard punt to the SAU one, which eventually got OBU great field position after a Mulerider punt.
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Jordan Barnes had a 21-yard run and Stegall passed to
Connor Kinsey for a nine-yard touchdown pass to finish a 37-yard drive.Â
Trey Tully added the PAT to make it 31-14 with 51 seconds left in the third quarter.
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Zach Bishop interception set the Bison up at the SAU 12 and after a pass interference call on SAU on a fourth down, Stegall scored on a quarterback sneak to make it 31-20 with 13:41 left in the game.
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The Muleriders got a back-breaking touchdown on fourth down from the one on a Jenkins dive to make it 38-20.
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OBU allowed 378 yards of offense. Garrett led the Bison with eight tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception and Robertson had seven tackles and two tackles for loss.
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OBU allowed a season-high five sacks.
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Jordan Barnes led the Bison with 85 yards on 18 carries. OBU had 21 yards through the air for the game.
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The Bison dropped to 1-5 on the season.
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Oklahoma Baptist's search for its first road win of the season continues next week when the Bison visit Northwestern Oklahoma State in Alva.
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