ADA, Okla. – In one of the most unconventional games in program history, featuring a weather delay that lasted over two hours, Oklahoma Baptist (3-1) prevailed 23-15 over East Central (1-3) on Saturday night inside Koi Ishto Stadium.
The stoppage of play, occurring at 7:08 p.m., didn't resume until a little after 9:30 p.m. Just before midnight, OBU took their final snap to wrap up the victory.
The Bison improved to 3-1 on the season after its second straight win, the program's best start since 2021.
For a second consecutive week, the Oklahoma Baptist defense shined. They compiled 10.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, and an interception. Linebacker Scooter Baker led the corps with 15 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, and a sack. Ten of Baker's stops were unassisted.
Sophomore linebacker Brayden Johnson joined Baker with double-digit stops, collecting career-high 12 tackles with one tackle for loss. Brandon Spencer turned in six tackles and collected his third interception this season, while Rian Fields and Tyler King charted four stops apiece.
Then defensive lineman Brett Karhu (2.0), Ameer Johnson (2.0), Bryce Starlin (1.0), Triston De La Rosa (0.5), and Nick Carpin (0.5) registered tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
A part of Karhu's and Starlin's totals was one sack apiece, accounting for losses of five and 11 yards, respectively. It was the fourth sack of the year for Karhu and the first career for Starlin. Johnson added a sack for 15 yards and the second forced fumble of his career. Additionally, Carpin and De La Rosa were credited with a half of a sack for seven yards.
Cornerback Tainique Taylor got in on the action wih four pass breakups, the most by any Bison in a game this season.
Offensively, OBU racked up 357 yards, averaging five yards per play. On the ground, EJ Moore ran for 153 yards on 23 carries to lead the Bison's 161 total rushing yards.
Aidan Thompson threw for 196 yards, three touchdowns, and a couple of interceptions. Jaiden Henry hauled in one of those scores, finishing his night with a five receptions and 54 yards. The other two recipients, Nick Harris and Sam Sharp, caught touchdowns from 18 and 13 yards out.
Harris was Thompson's second-favorite target, catching four balls for 49 yards, while Michael Marshall recorded three receptions for 31 yards.
Special teams also get in on the action as Luke Watkins nailed a 43-yarder for the game's first points and had two punts land inside the 20-yard line. Watkins averaged 41.5 yards per punt, including a game-long boot of 56 yards.
After Watkins put OBU on the board first, Thompson found Harris in the endzone to put the green and gold up 9-0.
Not long thereafter, the officials called for a stoppage of play. Up to that point, the seven-minute mark in the second quarter, OBU had 139 yards of offense, including 121 yards through the air. On the other side of the ball, the Bison defense had an interception and a sack.
The momentum carried on after play resumed as a touchdown catch from Henry extended the Bison advantage to 16-3 late in the second quarter.
East Central would narrow the margin late, drawing the tally 16-12 early in the third stanza, but another Thompson dart saw Sharp reach paydirt for OBU's final touchdown.
The opposition mustered a field goal with 29 seconds remaining before a failed onside kick, recovered by Thomas Meadough, sealed the victory.
Oklahoma Baptist will return to Shawnee next Saturday for the annual Hall of Fame Game at 7:00 p.m. against Henderson State (3-1).
