2024 Ouachita Baptist Tigers football team

The 2024 Ouachita Baptist Tigers football team represented Ouachita Baptist University during the 2024 NCAA Division II football season as a member of the Great American Conference (GAC). Led by twenty-fifth year head coach Todd Knight, the Tigers played their home games at Benson–Williams Field at Cliff Harris Stadium in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Knight was named the American Football Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year for Region 4.[1][2]

2024 Ouachita Baptist Tigers football
GAC co-champion
ConferenceGreat American Conference
Ranking
AFCANo. 9
Record10–2 (10–1 GAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJay Derby (20th season)
Offensive schemePro spread
Defensive coordinatorRoy Thompson Jr. (6th season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumBenson–Williams Field at Cliff Harris Stadium
Seasons
← 2023
2025 →
2024 Great American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 4 Harding +^   10 1     11 1  
No. 9 Ouachita Baptist +^   10 1     10 2  
No. 23 Southern Arkansas   9 2     9 2  
Henderson State   8 3     8 3  
Arkansas Tech   5 6     5 6  
East Central   5 6     5 6  
SE Oklahoma State   5 6     5 6  
Arkansas–Monticello   4 7     4 7  
Southern Nazarene   3 8     3 8  
SW Oklahoma State   3 8     3 8  
NW Oklahoma State   2 9     2 9  
Oklahoma Baptist   2 9     2 9  
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • ^ – NCAA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from AFCA Poll

The Tigers finished the regular season with a record of 10–1, clinching a share of the GAC title.[3] The Tigers were selected for the Division II Playoffs, falling to Central Oklahoma 31–38 in overtime in the first round.[4]

Preseason

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The GAC released its preseason prediction poll on August 1, 2024. The Tigers were predicted to finish second in the conference, though they also received one first place vote.[5]

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteResultAttendance
September 57:00 p.m.SW Oklahoma StateNo. 19
W 42–33,582
September 126:00 p.m.at NW Oklahoma StateNo. 18
W 56–21,834
September 216:00 p.m.at Southern ArkansasNo. 17
W 25–206,869
September 286:00 p.m.Arkansas–MonticelloNo. 16
  • Cliff Harris Stadium
  • Arkadelphia, AR
W 49–143,452
October 52:00 p.m.at SE Oklahoma StateNo. 14
W 25–92,543
October 1212:00 p.m.East Central No. 10
  • Cliff Harris Stadium
  • Arkadelphia, AR
W 40–05,875
October 197:00 p.m.No. 1 HardingNo. 9
  • Cliff Harris Stadium
  • Arkadelphia, AR
W 17–137,322
October 262:00 p.m.at Arkansas TechNo. 5
W 38–72,871
October 316:00 p.m.Southern NazareneNo. 3
  • Cliff Harris Stadium
  • Arkadelphia, AR
L 17–181,581
November 92:00 p.m.at Oklahoma BaptistNo. 9
W 55–02,226
November 1611:00 a.m.at Henderson StateNo. 9W 27–209,736
November 231:00 p.m.at No. 8 Central Oklahoma*No. 9L 31–38 OT3,995
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

[6]

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112Final
AFCA1919*1817161410953 (2)999
D2 Football171717161614121175121211

* A new poll was not released for this week, so for comparison purposes, the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.

Game summaries

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SW Oklahoma State

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Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs at No. 19 Ouachita Baptist Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bulldogs 0 0 033
No. 19 Tigers 7 21 14042

at Cliff Harris Stadium, Arkadelphia, Arkansas

  • Date: September 5
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 82 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 3,582
  • Referee: Darin Lair
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • OUA – Chris Henley Jr. 73-yard pass from Eli Livingston (Jax Daggers kick), 0:44. Tigers 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 73 yards, 0:18.

Second quarter

  • OUA – Kendel Givens 3-yard run (Jax Daggers kick), 8:16. Tigers 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 3:04.
  • OUA – Carter McElhany 54-yard pass from Eli Livingston (Jax Daggers kick), 5:44. Tigers 21–0. Drive: 2 plays, 63 yards, 0:27.
  • OUA – Garrison Jackson 4-yard pass from Eli Livingston (Jax Daggers kick), 1:20. Tigers 28–0. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 3:12.

Third quarter

  • OUA – Eli Livingston 8-yard run (Jax Daggers kick), 13:40. Tigers 35–0. Drive: 2 plays, 21 yards, 0:39.
  • OUA – Kendel Givens 1-yard run (Jax Daggers kick), 9:46. Tigers 42–0. Drive: 3 plays, 5 yards, 1:38.

Fourth quarter

  • SWO – Ethan McBee 25-yard field goal, 11:08. Tigers 42–3. Drive: 7 plays, 15 yards, 3:01.
Statistics SWO OUA
First downs 17 15
Total yards 247 334
Rushing yards 97 128
Passing yards 150 206
Turnovers 3 3
Time of possession 39:45 20:15
Team Category Player Statistics
SW Oklahoma State Passing Kai Kunz 13/21, 94 yards, INT
Rushing Kai Kunz 15 rushes, 85 yards
Receiving Baylor Nash 6 receptions, 48 yards
Ouachita Baptist Passing Eli Livingston 8/10, 195 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Eli Livingston 9 rushes, 91 yards, TD
Receiving Chris Henley Jr. 1 reception, 73 yards, TD

at NW Oklahoma State

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No. 18 Ouachita Baptist Tigers at Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 18 Tigers 7 14 211456
Rangers 0 2 002

at Ranger Field, Alva, Oklahoma

  • Date: September 12
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 1,834
  • Referee: Dewayne Barbee
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • OUA – Connor Flannigan 35-yard pass from Eli Livingston (Jax Daggers kick), 13:27. Tigers 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 76 yards, 0:50.

Second quarter

  • OUA – Garrison Jackson 14-yard pass from Eli Livingston (Jax Daggers kick), 15:00. Tigers 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 79 yards, 1:39.
  • NWO – Team safety, 10:03. Tigers 14–2.
  • OUA – A. J. Jones 25-yard pass from Eli Livingston (Jax Daggers kick), 1:01. Tigers 21–2. Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards, 0:37.

Third quarter

  • OUA – Carter McElhany 100-yard kickoff return (Jax Daggers kick), 14:47. Tigers 28–2.
  • OUA – Kendel Givens 5-yard run (Jax Daggers kick), 5:43. Tigers 35–2. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 4:57.
  • OUA – Chris Henley Jr. 11-yard run (Jax Daggers kick), 1:52. Tigers 42–2. Drive: 2 plays, 52 yards, 0:30.

Fourth quarter

  • OUA – Carter McElhany 58-yard pass from Nate TenBarge (Jax Daggers kick), 14:37. Tigers 49–2. Drive: 1 play, 58 yards, 0:11.
  • OUA – Jayden Smith 11-yard run (Jax Daggers kick), 7:37. Tigers 56–2. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:37.
Statistics OUA NWO
First downs 21 9
Total yards 535 134
Rushing yards 267 62
Passing yards 268 72
Turnovers 3 1
Time of possession 24:39 34:23
Team Category Player Statistics
Ouachita Baptist Passing Eli Livingston 9/17, 171 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Kendel Givens 18 rushes, 145 yards, TD
Receiving Keemontrae McKnight 2 receptions, 71 yards
NW Oklahoma State Passing Beck Moss 12/26, 61 yards, INT
Rushing Darian Gill 14 rushes, 33 yards
Receiving Mark Zamora 4 receptions, 24 yards

at Southern Arkansas

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No. 17 Ouachita Baptist Tigers at Southern Arkansas Muleriders – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 17 Tigers 6 10 2725
Muleriders 7 7 0620

at Wilkins Stadium, Magnolia, Arkansas

  • Date: September 21
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 97 °F (36 °C)
  • Game attendance: 6,869
  • Referee: Allen Tatum
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • OUA – Kendel Givens 10-yard run (kick failed), 3:28. Tigers 6–0. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 5:38.
  • SAU – Darrel Henderson 30-yard fumble return (Daniel Gauna kick), 0:44. Muleriders 7–6.

Second quarter

  • OUA – Jax Daggers 34-yard field goal, 11:32. Tigers 9–7. Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 4:04.
  • OUA – Bo Baker 14-yard pass from Eli Livingston (Jax Daggers kick), 6:53. Tigers 16–7. Drive: 5 plays, 55 yards, 3:11.
  • SAU – Cole Williams 11-yard pass from Judd Barton (Daniel Gauna kick), 1:16. Tigers 16–14. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 5:37.

Third quarter

  • OUA – Team safety, 11:10. Tigers 18–14.

Fourth quarter

  • OUA – Eli Livingston 6-yard run (Jax Daggers kick), 9:34. Tigers 25–14. Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 5:44.
  • SAU – Judd Barton 3-yard run (pass failed), 2:25. Tigers 25–20. Drive: 12 plays, 89 yards, 3:40.
Statistics OUA SAU
First downs 20 16
Total yards 356 297
Rushing yards 223 92
Passing yards 133 205
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 34:45 25:15
Team Category Player Statistics
Ouachita Baptist Passing Eli Livingston 9/18, 133 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Eli Livingston 21 rushes, 120 yards, TD
Receiving Bo Baker 2 receptions, 48 yards, TD
Southern Arkansas Passing Judd Barton 18/32, 205 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Judd Barton 12 rushes, 38 yards, TD
Receiving Cole Williams 4 receptions, 56 yards, TD

Arkansas–Monticello

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Arkansas–Monticello Boll Weevils at No. 16 Ouachita Baptist Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Boll Weevils 7 0 7014
No. 16 Tigers 21 14 7749

at Cliff Harris Stadium, Arkadelphia, Arkansas

  • Date: September 28
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 80 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 3,452
  • Referee: Michael Gervais
  • Box score, Recap
Statistics UAM OUA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Arkansas–Monticello Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Ouachita Baptist Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at SE Oklahoma State

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No. 14 Ouachita Baptist Tigers at Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 14 Tigers 0 15 7325
Savage Storm 0 6 309

at Paul Laird Field, Durant, Oklahoma

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 88 °F (31 °C)
  • Game attendance: 2,543
  • Referee: Brad Frisby
  • Box score, Recap
Statistics OUA SEO
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Ouachita Baptist Passing
Rushing
Receiving
SE Oklahoma State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

East Central

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East Central Tigers at No. 10 Ouachita Baptist Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
ECU Tigers 0 0 000
No. 10 OUA Tigers 14 6 14640

at Cliff Harris Stadium, Arkadelphia, Arkansas

  • Date: October 12
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 81 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 5,875
  • Referee: Chuck Scott
  • Box score, Recap
Statistics ECU OUA
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
East Central Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Ouachita Baptist Passing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 1 Harding

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No. 1 Harding Bisons at No. 9 Ouachita Baptist Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Bisons 7 6 0013
No. 9 Tigers 7 3 0717

at Cliff Harris Stadium, Arkadelphia, Arkansas

  • Date: October 19
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear, 64 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 7,322
  • Referee: Brad Frisby
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • HAR – Dane Romberger 13-yard pass from Braden Jay (Magnus Lepak kick), 9:30. Bisons 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 4:16.
  • OUA – Kendel Givens 3-yard run (Dax Jaggers kick), 3:42. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 69 yards, 5:48.

Second quarter

  • HAR – Magnus Lepak 52-yard field goal, 9:55. Bisons 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 44 yards, 5:35.
  • OUA – Dax Jaggers 25-yard field goal, 5:44. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 61 yards, 4:11.
  • HAR – Magnus Lepak 42-yard field goal, 0:24. Bisons 13–10. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 4:08.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

  • OUA – Eli Livingston 4-yard pass from Connor Flannigan (Dax Jaggers kick), 12:58. Tigers 17–13. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 2:42.
Statistics HAR OUA
First downs 15 12
Total yards 288 198
Rushing yards 218 85
Passing yards 70 113
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 33:02 26:58
Team Category Player Statistics
Harding Passing Cole Keylon 5/12, 57 yards
Rushing Cole Keylon 14 rushes, 78 yards
Receiving Darius Brown 3 receptions, 38 yards
Ouachita Baptist Passing Eli Livingston 10/18, 109 yards, INT
Rushing Kendel Givens 13 rushes, 47 yards, TD
Receiving Connor Flannigan 5 receptions, 62 yards

at Arkansas Tech

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No. 5 Ouachita Baptist Tigers at Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 5 Tigers 21 0 71038
Wonder Boys 0 0 077

at Thone Stadium, Russellville, Arkansas

  • Date: October 26
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 73 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 2,871
  • Referee: Allen Tatum
  • Box score, Recap
Statistics OUA ATU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Ouachita Baptist Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Arkansas Tech Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Southern Nazarene

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Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm at No. 3 Ouachita Baptist Tigers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Crimson Storm 3 3 3918
No. 3 Tigers 7 3 7017

at Cliff Harris Stadium, Arkadelphia, Arkansas

  • Date: October 19
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 72 °F (22 °C)
  • Game attendance: 1,581
  • Referee: Jimmy Malone
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • SNU – Kameron Van Prooyen 30-yard field goal, 10:07. Crimson Storm 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 11 yards, 2:57.
  • OUA – Kendel Givens 1-yard run (Dax Jaggers kick), 3:23. Tigers 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 71 yards, 6:36.

Second quarter

  • OUA – Dax Jaggers 25-yard field goal, 9:29. Tigers 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 52 yards, 5:22.
  • SNU – Kameron Van Prooyen 40-yard field goal, 0:11. Tigers 10–6. Drive: 10 plays, 36 yards, 3:53.

Third quarter

  • OUA – Carter McElhany 11-yard run (Dax Jaggers kick), 11:33. Tigers 17–6. Drive: 6 plays, 23 yards, 3:14.
  • SNU – Kameron Van Prooyen 41-yard field goal, 2:30. Tigers 17–9. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 3:36.

Fourth quarter

  • SNU – Kameron Van Prooyen 43-yard field goal, 11:50. Tigers 17–12. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 3:22.
  • SNU – Dalen Smith 11-yard pass from Bryson Evans (pass failed), 0:24. Crimson Storm 18–17. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 2:08.
Statistics SNU OUA
First downs 14 14
Total yards 268 260
Rushing yards 92 196
Passing yards 176 64
Turnovers 1 3
Time of possession 31:35 28:25
Team Category Player Statistics
Southern Nazarene Passing Bryson Evans 15/28, 176 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Bryson Evans 15 rushes, 70 yards
Receiving Dalen Smith 4 receptions, 52 yards, TD
Ouachita Baptist Passing Eli Livingston 5/8, 43 yards
Rushing Kendel Givens 20 rushes, 123 yards, TD
Receiving Connor Flannigan 3 receptions, 27 yards

at Oklahoma Baptist

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No. 9 Ouachita Baptist Tigers at Oklahoma Baptist Bison – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 9 Tigers 7 27 14755
Bison 0 0 000

at Crain Family Stadium, Shawnee, Oklahoma

  • Date: November 9
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 65 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 2,226
  • Referee: Michael Gervais
  • Box score, Recap
Statistics OUA OKB
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Ouachita Baptist Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Oklahoma Baptist Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at Henderson State

edit
No. 9 Ouachita Baptist Tigers at Henderson State Reddies – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 9 Tigers 3 7 01727
Reddies 3 3 01420

at Carpenter–Haygood Stadium, Arkadelphia, Arkansas

  • Date: November 16
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 9,736
  • Referee: Brad Frisby
  • Box score, Recap
Statistics OUA HSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Ouachita Baptist Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Henderson State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 8 Central Oklahoma (NCAA Division II First Round)

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NCAA Division II First Round
No. 9 Ouachita Baptist at No. 8 Central Oklahoma Bronchos – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
No. 9 Tigers 7 0 717031
No. 8 Bronchos 7 7 107738

at Chad Richison Stadium, Edmond, Oklahoma

  • Date: November 23
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 65 °F (18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 3,995
  • Referee: Craig Demaree
  • Box score, Recap
Game information
First quarter
  • UCO – Jaylen Cottrell 73-yard run (Nicky Quevedo kick), 7:07. Bronchos 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 82 yards, 0:34.
  • OUA – Garrison Jackson 1-yard pass from Kendel Givens (Dax Jaggers kick), 0:24. Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 3:47.

Second quarter

  • UCO – Jaylen Cottrell 20-yard run (Nicky Quevedo kick), 7:32. Bronchos 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 3:56.

Third quarter

  • UCO – Nicky Quevedo 29-yard field goal, 11:06. Bronchos 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 3:54.
  • OUA – Chris Henley Jr. 15-yard run (Jax Daggers kick), 7:02. Bronchos 17–14. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:04.
  • UCO – Ashton Schumann 25-yard pass from Jett Huff (Nicky Quevedo kick), 3:31. Bronchos 24–14. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 3:25.

Fourth quarter

  • OUA – Kendel Givens 36-yard run (Jax Daggers kick), 12:42. Bronchos 24–21. Drive: 4 plays, 66 yards, 2:07.
  • OUA – Carter McElhany 47-yard pass from Eli Livingston (Jax Daggers kick), 3:18. Tigers 28–24. Drive: 4 plays, 40 yards, 1:02.
  • UCO – Jacob Delso 12-yard pass from Jett Huff (Nicky Quevedo kick), 1:12. Bronchos 31–28. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 2:06.
  • OUA – Dax Jaggers 40-yard field goal, 0:05. Tied 31–31. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 1:07.

Overtime

  • UCO – Jacob Delso 3-yard pass from Jett Huff (Jax Daggers kick). Bronchos 38–31. Drive: 4 plays, 25 yards.
Statistics OUA UCO
First downs 20 26
Total yards 397 537
Rushing yards 153 166
Passing yards 244 371
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 29:54 30:06
Team Category Player Statistics
Ouachita Baptist Passing Eli Livingston 13/22, 198 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Kendel Givens 11 rushes, 66 yards, TD
Receiving Carter McElhany 6 receptions, 138 yards, TD
Central Oklahoma Passing Jett Huff 36/58, 371 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Jaylen Cottrell 17 rushes, 151 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Terrill Davis 14 receptions, 155 yards

References

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  1. ^ "Ouachita Baptist football coach wins regional coach of year award". The Baptist Paper. November 26, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  2. ^ "Curt Cignetti & Steven Ryan Headline The 2024 AFCA Regional Coach Of The Year Winners". American Football Coaches Association. November 19, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  3. ^ Ringo, Brandon (November 16, 2024). "Ouachita Baptist wins the 97th Battle of the Ravine". KARK-TV. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  4. ^ Greco, Jonathan (November 23, 2024). "UCO Bronchos advance to second round after overtime playoff win". KOCO-TV. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  5. ^ "REIGNING NATIONAL CHAMPION BISONS VOTED #theGAC FOOTBALL FAVORITE". Great American Conference. August 1, 2024. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  6. ^ "2024 Football Schedule". Retrieved November 27, 2024.