ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The tenth-ranked Ouachita Baptist University proved too strong for the East Central University football team on Saturday afternoon as the purple Tigers defeated the orange Tigers 40-0 at Cliff Harris Stadium for their first shutout of the season.
 
The last time ECU failed to muster any points was in the 2022 season opener against Harding University, where they lost by a final score of 28-0.
 
Ouachita dominated on both sides of the ball, with the purple Tigers' defense limiting ECU to just a mere 88 yards of total offense while they racked up an impressive 505 yards of offense. Half of ECU's offensive drives ended in three-and-outs, with their longest series reaching nine plays for 32 yards in the second quarter before ending in a punt. The orange Tigers were forced to punt a total of ten times throughout the game.
 
Ouachita established an early lead in the first quarter, taking a 14-0 advantage with two touchdown passes. Although ECU's Keebler Wagoner made a crucial interception on Ouachita's next possession that could have shifted momentum, the purple Tigers immediately countered with an interception of their own, stifling ECU's progress.
 
Despite ECU's defense preventing Ouachita from scoring a touchdown in the second quarter, including Keebler Wagoner coming up big once again by forcing a fumble recovered by teammate Elijah Thibodeaux, the orange Tigers struggled to get on the scoreboard. In contrast, the purple Tigers launched two long-range field goals. The first was a 49-yarder and the second was a 60-yarder just before halftime, extending their lead to 20-0.
 
After the break, Ouachita further asserted their dominance with two touchdowns in the third quarter for a commanding 34-0 lead heading into the final stanza. One last touchdown pass by the purple Tigers capped off the scoring, ending the game with a decisive 40-0 victory.
 
Sergio Kennedy finished the game 10-for-20 for 59 yards with one interception. Cade Searcy led the rushing attack with eight carries for 20 yards, while Deqavius Bowens was the top receiver, making four catches for 22 yards. Anthony Garza had the longest reception of 20 yards.
 
Defensively, Keebler Wagoner spearheaded the effort with a forced fumble, interception, pass breakup, and a team-high nine tackles. Caden Pickens, Davion Hodge, Tavare Smith Jr., Lane Johnson, and Isaiah Byrd each came up with a tackle for loss, with Pickens registering the team's only sack.
 
The ECU football team will look to bounce back next week as they get ready to host Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 3 pm.