Ouachita Football Kicks Off 2024 at ‘The Cliff” For The Paul Sharp Cup
The #19 ranked Ouachita Baptist Tigers are back on the field for 2024 and looking to continue their strong tradition of success, We expect Cliff Harris Stadium aka “The Cliff” in Arkadelphia to be packed per usual as the season kicks off on Thursday, September 6, against Southwest Oklahoma State for the Paul Sharp Cup with a 7 pm CT start. We delve into the series history between the programs, the meaning behind the trophy, and a game prediction.
We start with some series history between the Tigers and Bulldogs. A series that began in the 2011 season has been lopsided to the Purple and White. Of the twelve games played, Ouachita won eleven, mostly in a dominating fashion. The lone loss, in 2015, was a 20-point loss to the Bulldogs in Weatherford, Oklahoma. The Tigers are on a seven-game winning streak entering the 2024 meeting.
The trophy being played holds great meaning for both programs. The yearly meeting was dubbed the ‘Paul Sharp Cup’ in the 2013 season and honors the late coach of the Bulldogs. Sharp would lead SWOSU to a NAIA national championship in the 1996 season. Sharp lead the Bulldogs from 1986-2004 before passing away in 2012. The ties between Sharp and Ouachita run quite deep.
Sharp was a graduate of Ouachita and an assistant coach for the Tigers from 1974-78. If these ties were not enough he is the brother of current Ouachita Athletic Director David Sharp. Since the inception of the trophy game, Ouachta is 10-1 in the series.
As the Tigers open the season following a “rebuilding” 9-2 season in 2023 the roster is bolstered by 12 All-GAC conference performers from the 15th consecutive winning season. Talents such as running back Kendal Givens, wide receiver Connor Flannigan, and safety Josiah Johnson return to get the program back to their standard of winning. Speaking of winning, OBU has won at least nine games in six straight seasons.
The players and coaches are ready for the 11 straight weeks of GAC football! Are you?
We will have much more on OBU as the season continues.
