Football Season in Review

SHAWNEE – The 2016 Bison football season concluded at 2-9 for the second consecutive year and while the win total was less than what was desired, there were plenty of accomplishments along the way.
 
OBU claimed Great American Conference wins over East Central and Arkansas Tech – marking the first such wins over those programs.
 
The Bison now have registered wins over four of its 11 GAC opponents in two seasons of transition to NCAA Division II.
 
OBU had several individual accomplishments as well, headlined by offensive tackle Zach Clark's inclusion on the All-State Good Works Team – a national honor that will earn Clark recognition at half time of the Sugar Bowl. The honorees are selected based on their leadership and service to the community.
 
On the field, OBU set a number of offensive records. Sophomore running back Isaiah Mallory broke school records in single game rushing yards (236 against East Central) and single season rushing yards (1,083). He also had a school-record 86-yard run.
 
Junior quarterback Dezmond Stegall set new records for passing yards in a season (2,255), completed passes (188) and total offense (2,414). He also had single game records with 25 completed passes and 332 yards passing – both against Southwestern Oklahoma State.
 
Josh Pettijohn led the team with 43 receptions, six touchdown catches and 594 yards. He also caught a 73-yard scoring pass from Stegall, which also is a school record.
 
Defensively, linebacker Levi Jennings set the school record for assisted tackles with 52 and led the team with a total of 96 tackles and a team-best nine tackles for loss and three sacks. Charles Taylor III and D'Ante Meeking had three interceptions each and Meeking tied a school record with two interceptions returned for touchdowns. Meeking also broke up 10 other passes.
 
OBU was ranked No. 1 in the National Christian College Athletic Association throughout the season. Mallory was OBU's first First-Team All-Great American Conference selection. Mallory and Clark were First-Team All-NCCAA selections with Meeking earning Second-Team accolades. Wide receiver Cagney Roberson and linebacker Brynden Pitzer were honorable mention selections.