SHAWNEE – Coming off a strong defensive effort and win last week, Oklahoma Baptist (2-4) returns to action on Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. when it travels to face East Central (4-2) inside Koi Ishto Stadium.
Last Saturday, OBU defeated Arkansas-Monticello 17-14 while the Tigers earned a 37-21 win against Arkansas Tech. The series between the Bison and ECU has favored the green and gold in the D2 era. In fact, coach
Chris Jensen's squad is 6-3 with games dating back to 2015.
The Bison Sports Radio Network crew of Todd Miller, Dave Myrick and John Brooks will be on the call of the game starting at 2:30. Below are notes on both teams.
Forcing the Issue
OBU's defense turned in multiple, game-altering plays during the three-point win over Arkansas-Monticello on Oct. 11.
Loren Johnson had an interception near the goal line;
Brady Luff notched a forced fumble and recovery after a
Robert Waters Jr., tackle and redshirt freshman
Richard Smith recorded a fumble recovery and game-clinching interception with less than a minute to play.
It marked the sixth time in OBU's D2 era that a Bison defense forced at least four turnovers in a game. Prior to last Saturday, OBU secured five turnovers against Southeastern on Sept. 16, 2023.
Smith's Unique Afternoon
How rare was
Richard Smith's one-interception, one-fumble-recovery performance against UAM? Well, quite rare. It's only the fourth time in the D2 era that a Bison defender notched a pick and fumble recovery in the same game. That last time it happened was in 2019 when former safety Myles Russell reached those totals against Southern Arkansas. The other occasions came from defensive backs Charles Taylor III (2016 vs. Arkansas Tech) and Jailen Garrett (2015 vs. SAU).
That makes Smith's achievement the first by a Bison defensive lineman in 106 all-time D2 matchups.
Special Teams Impact
Sophomore wide receiver
Matthew Young is quietly putting together a solid season in the kickoff return game. He notched a season-best 37-yard return against Arkansas-Monticello last week that eventually led to a Bison touchdown. Heading into week seven, his 22.44 yards-per-kickoff is the top mark in the Great American Conference and slotted 52nd nationally.
Furthermore, that 22.44 average is third-best in OBU's D2 history (minimum 1 KO return per game) behind Keilahn Harris' 23.53 mark in 2021 and Frankie Edwards' 23.50 average from 2017.
Receiving Threats
Quick-footed
Nick Harris and
Garrett Vaughn are putting up highly-respectable numbers this fall. Harris is the GAC leader with 482 receiving yards and per-game average (80.3) while Vaughn is slotted fifth in receiving yards per game (54.8). Plus, that duo is second and third, respectively, in the conference, with 4.17 (Harris) and 4.0 catches (Vaughn) per contest.
Also of note,
Haydn Thornton and Harris are ranked tied for third in the GAC with three receiving touchdowns.
One More Individual Point
Sophomore
Carter Lowry added another field, his fifth make of the season, in last week's contest versus UAM. The Norman native is now 5-of-7 for 71.4 percent. That's the 38th best percentage in the country and third in the GAC.
The Series with ECU
The competition against East Central as of late has been pretty close. In 2024, the Bison dialed up a 20-10 win in Shawnee. Two years ago, the green and gold won 23-15 and in 2022, ECU earned a 34-20 result over OBU. Remarkably, OBU has never lost in Ada. During the 2016 campaign, the green and gold won in triple overtime 36-34 and in 2018, escaped with a 27-26 win.
Coach's Thoughts
HC
Chris Jensen: "They are much improved from last year. Their QB is playing at a high level, and they have one of the best running backs in the conference. They appear to be much better on defense and special teams as well. It will be another challenge for our team, and we will need to be at our best this Saturday."
OC
Daniel Eaton: "ECU has always had a strong defense that plays sound. They have a great crowd and atmosphere for this game, so our focus needs to be at its best. That combination of things for them always makes this game a tough one."
DC
Tyler Roberts: "ECU has the best running back in the conference. Their quarterback has gotten a ton better this season and he does a lot of good stuff. They use a lot of different formations and personnel packages to stress you defensively."
About East Central
East Central is coming off a 37–21 win over Arkansas Tech, improving their record to 4–2 on the season.
The Tigers' defense has been active and aggressive, with 22 different players recording at least 0.5 sacks this year.
ECU ranks 30th nationally in fumbles recovered (6), showcasing their ability to create turnovers.
Keebler Wagoner has been a standout in the secondary, ranking 44th in the nation in interceptions and third in the GAC in interceptions per game (0.33).
Plus, teammate Terry Lewis II is No. 25 in Division II with 1.20 pass break-ups per game.
As a unit, ECU gives up 118.7 passing yards per game, a mark this is the best in the country.
Quarterback Sergio Kennedy earned GAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after a career-best performance against Arkansas Tech.
Kennedy completed 23 of 34 passes for a career-high 370 yards and two touchdowns and even caught a 9-yard touchdown pass on a trick play.
The redshirt sophomore from Arlington, Texas, ranks 3rd in the GAC in passing yards (1,266) and 3rd in total offense (1,317 yards) through six weeks.
Running back Cade Searcy is having an outstanding sophomore season. He is fifth in the GAC with 435 rushing yards. The Gainesville, Texas native also is tied for third with four rushing touchdowns.
Along the special team's front, East Central is 14th in the nation with three blocked kicks. Jaelyn Walker, Wagoner and Seth Aguilera have tallied those for the Tigers.
Field-goal kicker Alexander McGregor is 20th nationally and first in the GAC with 1.20 makes per game.
