In front of a packed home crowd on Saturday night, ninth-ranked Ouachita Baptist University handed top-ranked Harding University its first loss in 26 games with a thrilling 17-13 victory. The win not only snapped Harding’s monumental streak—which included the 2023 national championship—but also propelled the Tigers to the top of the Great American Conference standings with a 7-0 record.

Defense Delivers Against Formidable Offense

Ouachita’s defense proved to be the deciding factor, shutting down Harding’s previously unstoppable offense. Entering the game, the Bisons were averaging 554 yards and 61 points per game. Against the Tigers, they managed only 288 total yards and 13 points. Ouachita’s relentless defensive effort forced two fumbles, limited Harding to a 1-for-12 performance on third downs, and allowed just one red-zone trip throughout the game.

“Our defense rose to the occasion tonight,” said head coach Todd Knight. “We knew what we were up against, and these guys never wavered.”

Harding Strikes First, Ouachita Answers

Harding opened the scoring with a seven-play, 69-yard touchdown drive midway through the first quarter. But Ouachita responded with a methodical 10-play, 69-yard march capped by a three-yard touchdown run from Kendel Givens.

The Bisons edged ahead again early in the second quarter with a 52-yard field goal from Magnus Lepak. Once more, the Tigers matched their opponents, with kicker Dax Jaggers nailing a 25-yard field goal to level the score at 10-10.

Harding capitalized on a late drive in the first half, with Lepak adding another long field goal, this time from 42 yards out, to give the Bisons a narrow 13-10 lead heading into halftime.

Creative Play Seals the Upset

After a scoreless third quarter, the Tigers unleashed some offensive creativity. Early in the fourth, Connor Flannigan took a handoff and lobbed a pass back to quarterback Eli Livingston for a four-yard trick-play touchdown, giving Ouachita a 17-13 lead.

From that moment, both defenses dug in, trading stops until the game’s final moments. Harding mounted a late 10-play drive, but Ouachita’s defense held firm, forcing an incomplete pass as time expired to seal the victory.

Standout Performances

• Eli Livingston: Completed 10 of 18 passes for 109 yards and caught the game-winning touchdown.
• Kendel Givens: Contributed 47 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
• Connor Flannigan: Recorded five receptions for 62 yards and threw the game-winning touchdown pass.
• Dawson Miller: Anchored the defense with 16 tackles, while Jaraylon Burks added 12 tackles, and Kenta Jones forced a critical fumble.

Looking Ahead

The Tigers, now riding a wave of momentum, hit the road next Saturday to face Arkansas Tech in Russellville. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Harding, meanwhile, will aim to regroup as they prepare for their next opponent in hopes of starting a new winning streak.

For Ouachita, Saturday’s victory stands as a defining moment in their season—a win that cements their place as legitimate contenders in Division II football.