HENDERSON STATE AT HARDING WHEN 2 p.m.
WHERE First Security Stadium in Searcy RADIO KDEL-FM, 100.9, in Arkadelphia; KZNG-AM, 1310, in Hot Springs; KVHUFM, 95.3, in Searcy INTERNET hsusports.com, hardingsports.com RECORDS Henderson State (7-0, 6-0 Great American Conference), Harding (5-1, 5-1) COACHES Henderson State: Scott Maxfield (85-46 overall, 56-35 in ninth season at Henderson State). Harding: Ronnie Huckeba (36-32 in seventh season at Harding and overall) SERIES Henderson State leads 30-17-1.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR This one could go a long way toward determining the Great American Conference champion, and the ground game and defense could be the keys. Harding will put the best rushing offense in NCAA Division II (403.3 yards allowed per game) against a Henderson State team that leads the GAC in total defense (allowing 292.7 yards per game). The Bisons will want some long drives to keep the Reddies’ quick-strike offense off the field. Henderson State, ranked No. 5 in Division II, averages 596.6 yards and 56.6 points per game. Henderson State will want to contain Romo Westbrook (101.3 yards a game) and the Harding rushing attack to keep the offense on the field and the Bisons on the ropes.
OUACHITA BAPTIST AT ARKANSAS TECH WHEN 3 p.m.
WHERE Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville RADIO KHTE-FM, 96.5, in Little Rock; KFMD-AM, 1340, and KFMD-FM,105.3, in Springdale and Rogers; KAMD-FM, 97.1, in Camden; KYXK-FM, 106.9, in Arkadelphia and Gurdon; KNAS-FM, 105.5, in Nashville; KUOR-FM, 105.3, in Mena, KWKK-FM, 100.9, in Russellville INTERNET obutigers.com, athletics.atu.edu RECORDS Ouachita Baptist (5-1, 5-1 GAC), Arkansas Tech (3-4, 3-3) COACHES Ouachita Baptist: Todd Knight (93-112 overall, 65-80 in 15th year at Ouachita Baptist); Arkansas Tech: Raymond Monica (48-38 in eighth season overall, 3-4 in first season at Arkansas Tech) SERIES Arkansas Tech leads 41-28-7.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR Ouachita Baptist has one of the top rushing offenses in the GAC, led by Chris Rycraw, who is tied for the conference lead with 10 touchdowns, while the Tigers’ defense is allowing 18.8 points per game. That may not bode well for Arkansas Tech, which is last in the conference in total offense, allowing 347.1 yards per game, and last in red zone defense. Tech may get a boost from playing at home in a homecoming game, but whatever happens this could be a grind-it-out, low-scoring game as the Tigers are first in the conference in time of possession (34:20) and the Wonder Boys are second (31:39).
SOUTHERN NAZARENE AT ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO WHEN 3 p.m.
WHERE Cotton Boll Stadium in Monticello RADIO KHBM-FM, 93.7, in Monticello INTERNET uamsports.com RECORDS Arkansas-Monticello (4-3, 3-3 GAC); Southern Nazarene (0-7, 0-7)COACHES Arkansas-Monticello: Hud Jackson (10-19 in third season at UAM and overall); Southern Nazarene: Mike Cochran (86-55 overall, 40-43 in eighth season at Southern Nazarene) SERIES First meeting
WHAT TO LOOK FOR Arkansas-Monticello hasn’t lost a home game in four games this year and doesn’t figure to today against winless Southern Nazarene, which has found tough sledding in its first year as an NCAA member. Expect the Boll Weevils to try all three of their quarterbacks, as they have done in five games this year, and go with whoever finds a rhythm. Last week that was Cody Trimble (26 of 29 for 290 yards and 4 touchdowns). Freshman kicker Jamie McGee averages a national best two field goals per game and the Boll Weevils defense leads the GAC with a plus-nine turnover margin. It could all add up to a long day for the Crimson Storm and a happy homecoming for the Boll Weevils.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
Harding 36, Ouachita Baptist 33 Southern Arkansas 66, Southern Nazarene 17 East Central (Okla.) 64, NW Oklahoma State 14 Ark.-Monticello 41, Lindenwood-Belleville 27 Henderson State 45, Arkansas Tech 14
TODAY’S GAMES - All times Central
Henderson State at Harding, 2 p.m.
Southern Nazarene at Ark.-Monticello, 3 p.m.
Ouachita Baptist at Arkansas Tech, 3 p.m.
Southeastern Oklahoma State at Northwestern Oklahoma State, 3 p.m.
East Central at Southwestern Oklahoma State, 6 p.m.
Sports, Pages 23 on 10/26/2013