SHAWNEE – Coming off their first win of 2025, the Oklahoma Baptist Bison (1-2) travel to Southwestern Oklahoma State (1-2) on Sept. 27 for a 6 p.m. clash with the Bulldogs inside Flex-Chem Field at Milam Stadium.
A season ago, the Bison won 35-17 in Shawnee to boost their series advantage to 6-3 in the Division II era. SWOSU will be looking to beat OBU for the first time since 2022 when it won in overtime, 38-31.
The Bison Sports Radio Network's Todd Miller, Dave Myrick and John Brooks will be on site for the broadcast of the game starting at 5:30 p.m. Below are notes on both teams.
McMahon's First Start
TJ McMahon got the start last Saturday against Northwestern Oklahoma State and made the most of his opportunities. On top of not turning the ball over, he completed 25-of-37 passes, a 67.6 completion percentage, and passed for 316 yards. That was the most passing yards by a Bison quarterback since Dayton Wolfe reached 397 during a Sept. 1, 2022 home game against Ouachita.
Ball Security
As mentioned in last week's notes package, the Bison had serious issues turning the ball over. In fact, in weeks one and two, OBU had committed eight. That trend completely reversed last Saturday versus the Rangers. OBU did not turn the ball over once, marking the first time since an Oct. 14, 2023 road game at Southwestern Oklahoma State that the green and gold held on to the ball with no miscues.
A Diversified Portfolio
Did you notice the box score after last Saturday's win over Northwestern? There were an incredible seven players that had at least one, 10-yard catch.
Nick Harris and
Garrett Vaughn hauled in passes of 38 and 34 yards, respectively, while running back
Deuce Wise pulled in a pass for 21 yards. Plus,
Jake Parry hauled in a 20-yarder and
Donovan Dixon,
Kai Helton and
Charles Whitebear snagged 10-yard-plus catches from McMahon.
Speaking of Harris
Wide receiver
Nick Harris had statistically his second-best career performance against Northwestern on Sept. 20. He caught seven passes for 108 yards with a long of 38. The Dallas native's best career marks include nine catches during last year's season opener at Arkansas Tech and yardage wise was 115 yards during the Nov. 11, 2023 matchup at Southern Nazarene. This season, Harris ranks fifth in the Great American Conference with 12 catches and 65.0 receiving yards per game.
A Formidable Force
Each of the last three weeks, senior defensive lineman
Jahden Brown has caused trouble for opposing offensive lines. The Hewitt, Texas native has 15 total tackles along with 3.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks. His TFL count ranks third in the conference while his sack total checks in at No. 2. Over 14 games played on Bison Hill, Brown has totaled 14.0 sacks and 6.5 tackles-for-loss.
Don't Throw His Way
Senior corner
Chase Whitebear is putting together a stellar final season for the OBU defense. He's already up to six pass break-ups, which has tied his previous personal best set during the 2023 campaign. His totals this year include an interception and five PBUs. In the last game against Northwestern, the 6-foot-3 corner dialed up four pass break-ups which included two in the end zone. Heading into week-four action at SWOSU, the Haslet, Texas native ranks second in the GAC and tied for fifth in the nation with his half-dozen PBUs.
NCAA Stat Updates
Through three weeks of competition, the Oklahoma Baptist passing offense has generated 265.7 yards per game. That's the No. 24 mark (out of 157 schools) in the nation and is second-best in the GAC. Plus, the Bison's 60.2 completion percentage is 55th in Division II and fourth in the league.
Also of note, OBU has converted 3-of-4 fourth-down conversions (75.0). That mark is 15th nationally and second in the conference.
Individually, and mentioned before, Brown and Whitebear have good marks in D2. Brown is 28th in sacks (2.5) while Whitebear is fifth in pass break-ups (6).
Coach's Thoughts
HC
Chris Jensen: "They are coming off a big win in Durant so I know they will come into this game with a great deal of confidence. They play very hard on defense and have been efficient on offense and with their special teams. It is another great test for our team, and our players and coaches are excited for the challenge."
OC
Daniel Eaton: "They are really disciplined on defense. They pursue to the ball better than any team we've played yet. SWOSU is highly motivated and we have to match that on the road."
DC
Tyler Roberts: "Southwestern Oklahoma State has one of the best play-callers in the conference in Boone Feldt. They have an elite wide receiver (Baylor Nash) that can stress you in a lot of ways. The running back (Red Martel) is a big-time player too that can run through arm tackles and has big-play ability.
About Southwestern Oklahoma State
The Bulldogs are coming off a massive, 35-14 win at Southeastern Oklahoma State on Sept. 20. In the second half alone, SWOSU outscored the Savage Storm 28-0. It was the first victory against SE since the 2019 campaign.
Points came on big plays for the Bulldogs, who scored on plays of 44, 66, and 54 yards, while also adding a 43-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter.
One of the first things that jumps out about SWOSU is its pass defense. The Bulldogs defensive secondary only allows 117.7 yards per game. That's fifth-best in the nation and second in the GAC behind East Central (104.3).
Plus, SWOSU's secondary ranks 18th nationally in passing efficiency defense (100.88).
Helping lead the charge on the back end are three players: Aza'in, Jamori Ray and Jalen Bryant. That trio each have interceptions.
Remarkably, Southwestern has yet to record a sack on defense. They do have three players that have generated multiple tackles-for-loss though: Felipe Tristan (3.5); Matthew Myles (2.5) and Malcom Gooden (2.0).
For Tristan, his 1.17 tackles-for-loss per game is tops in the Great American Conference.
On the offensive end, Sam Houston State transfer MJ Rivers has been a force. The 6-foot-4 quarterback is 13th in the nation and first in the GAC with a 68.5 completion percentage. He's only thrown one interception in 54 pass attempts and registered 328 passing yards with two touchdowns.
Rivers is also a competent runner, totaling 97 rushing yards through three games.
Elijah Reed has caught the most passes (10) for the Bulldogs receiving corps while Baylor Nash has the longest reception of the season for SWOSU (54).
As for the rushing attack, Red Martel is ranked 33rd in the country and third in the conference with 287 yards. Martel's 95.7 rushing yards per game average is also 24th in America and slotted third in the GAC.
