Oklahoma Baptist opened the 2026 season with a strong second-half performance Thursday night, pulling away for a 38-20 victory over Southern Arkansas in the GAC opener at Crain Family Stadium. The Bison improved to 1-0 overall and 1-0 in conference play after overcoming an early deficit and scoring 21 unanswered points over the final 26 minutes.

Southern Arkansas struck quickly when Arkez Gomez broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run on the Muleriders' opening possession. Oklahoma Baptist answered with a seven-play, 61-yard drive capped by Brady Bricker's 11-yard touchdown pass to Devan Daniels, tying the game at 7-7. After the Muleriders regained a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter, the Bison defense changed the momentum early in the second when Jeremiah Jennings intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown.

The teams traded scores throughout the second quarter before Bricker connected with Nick Harris for a 29-yard touchdown pass with seven seconds remaining in the half, giving OBU a 24-20 advantage heading into the locker room.

The Bison defense took control after halftime, holding Southern Arkansas scoreless over the final two quarters. Oklahoma Baptist's offense added a fourth-quarter touchdown when Jason Ceniti found Kai Helton for a 19-yard score, extending the lead to 31-20. Minutes later, Jordan Garcia sealed the victory by scooping up a fumble – on a Morgan Cobb sack - and returning it 28 yards for a touchdown.

OBU out-gained Southern Arkansas 441-343 and recorded 25 first downs. Bricker completed 18-of-26 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns, while Ceniti added 68 passing yards and a touchdown. Harris paced the receiving corps with seven catches for 127 yards and a score. Daniels contributed 79 total yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Jennings delivered a game-changing pick-six and added seven tackles, while Garcia's fumble-return touchdown highlighted a unit that forced two turnovers and kept the Muleriders off the scoreboard in the second half.

Next Saturday the 12th, the Bison will travel to Arkadelphia to face Henderson State who rolled Southern Nazarene 57-21 on Thursday.