October 3rd, 2022 7:00am
Week five in the GAC produced pretty consistent results across the board. As we come up on the halfway point of the season, we debut a new recap format here in the GAC column.
Here are the results from Saturday:
Southwestern OSU 37, Arkansas-Monticello 27
Ouachita Baptist 48, Northwestern OSU 7
Arkansas Tech 48, Southern Nazarene 35
Henderson State 31, Southeastern OSU 23
Harding 38, Oklahoma Baptist 23
East Central 34, Southern Arkansas 22
How we did this week: 4-2
Season record: 21-9
Most Impressive Performance: Southwestern OSU
The Bulldogs' improvement is for real. The SWOSU defense picked off UAM quarterback Demilon Brown three times, sacked him six times, and held one of the nation's best rushing attacks to just 94 yards. The Bulldogs fell to Henderson State in the season opener on the road, but will be at Ouachita this week and still gets to host Harding at home later in the season. Everyone's paying attention now.
Most Impressive Performance Part II: East Central
The Muleriders certainly aren't the class of the conference this year, but they're still a good team and Magnolia isn't an easy place to play. But the Tigers went down and put up over 500 yards of offense while picking up a big win. Quarterback Kenny Hrncir was terrific, tossing three touchdowns and 309 yards while also contributing a rushing touchdown.
Stepping Up: Jack Grissom, QB, Arkansas Tech, Landon Ledbetter, QB, Henderson State
Both Arkansas Tech and Henderson State found themselves down or tied at the half, but both Grissom and Ledbetter rallied the troops in the second half to pull off wins. In Grissom's first career start, he finished the day with 184 passing yards and, most importantly, no turnovers. Tech outscored SNU 17-0 in the fourth quarter to rally for the win. Ledbetter has been banged up a lot of the year and Andrew Edwards has been great in his stead. But with a porous Southeastern run defense there for the taking, the Reddies turned to Ledbetter in the second half, and he gashed the Savage Storm for 103 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He also threw for 84 yards and a score. As always, be ready when your number is called.
Three Weird Stats
-There were just two possessions in the third quarter between Henderson State and Southeastern OSU. The Reddies started with the ball and embarked on a 12-play, 52-yard touchdown drive that drained 6:12 off the clock. The ensuing Southeastern possession took 15 plays and 8:33 of game time, draining the remaining time in the third quarter, before ending with a 40-yard field goal early in the fourth.
-Southern Nazarene quarterback Gage Porter rushed for 217 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries in the first half against Arkansas Tech. He officially had two yards on eight carries in the second half.
-Northwestern OSU had the ball for 38:34 against Ouachita on Saturday, their best time of possession number of the season by nearly eight minutes. Unfortunately for the Rangers, it didn't mean much in a 48-7 loss to the Tigers.