SHAWNEE – Receiver
Darius Melton and quarterback
Kenny Rosenthal teamed up twice for long touchdowns during Oklahoma Baptist's 35-17 Great American Conference victory over Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday.
The win improved the Bison's record to 2-5 with a date at Northwestern Oklahoma State next Saturday in Alva.
A massive statement was made from the start by OBU. After its defense forced a three-and-out, the offense put together an incredible 19-play, 83-yard scoring drive that ran 11:42 off the clock. Eighteen of those plays were on the ground and it was capped by
EJ Moore's 2-yard rushing touchdown.
Southwestern responded in the second with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Kai Kunz to Jax Smith, cutting the deficit to 14-7. And soon after, Southwestern's special teams forced a fumble on a punt return and watched as Austin Houk returned it 20 yards to tie the game.
However, Oklahoma Baptist regained control quickly. Rosenthal connected on a 58-yard touchdown pass to Melton, who snagged the ball away from SWOSU's defensive back and raced about 25 yards to the endzone. By halftime, the Bison led 28-17.
At the break, Rosenthal dominated the air, completing 7 of 7 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns to Melton and
Kai McCarty.
Southwestern's offense sputtered in the second half courtesy of a couple turnovers forced by OBU's defense.
Michael Grandy had an interception, his first, while
KJ Price Jr., forced a fumble that
Jylun Spence recovered. Over the final two quarters, the green and gold held SWOSU scoreless.
As for the Bison, Rosenthal hit Whitebear with a beautiful throw down the OBU sideline for a 19-yard touchdown in the third.
By game's end, Melton had two catches, both touchdowns, and 109 yards receiving. Moore had 84 rushing yards and that first-quarter score, and Rosenthal finished with 204 yards passing, four touchdowns and one interception. Defensively, Price led the team with 13 tackles while
Brayden Johnson notched 11 tackles and half a sack.
