SWOSU Football (5-4, 5-4 GAC) returns to Milam Stadium this weekend for the final home game of the 2025 season, hosting Ouachita Baptist on Senior Day. Pregame recognition of this year's senior class will take place prior to kickoff.

The Bulldogs enter the matchup riding a three-game winning streak for the first time since 2016, and each win has come by at least 24 points. The most recent victory was a dominant 49-7 performance on the road at Arkansas-Monticello, marking SWOSU's first win in the Natural State since 2018. The 41-point margin was also SWOSU's largest against an Arkansas opponent since joining the GAC in 2011.

Offensively, the Bulldogs have taken a major step forward this fall. SWOSU is averaging 27.2 points per game and has scored 30 or more points in six of its last seven contests—marking the second time in program history at the NCAA Division II level; the team has reached that mark in six games in a single season. For the defense, they have held opponents to 14 points or less in four straight games for the first time since 1997.

Last week, the Dawgs put together their most complete performance of the season, piling up a season-high 470 yards of offense and forcing four turnovers—one of which was returned for a fourth-quarter pick-six to seal the 49-7 victory. The win marked SWOSU's third straight and pushed the Bulldogs above .500 for the first time in more than 1,000 days.

This week's matchup will decide the winner of the 12th annual Paul Sharp Cup between SWOSU and Ouachita Baptist (6-3, 6-3 GAC). The Tigers hold a 16-4 lead in the all-time series and have won the last eight meetings. SWOSU's last victory came in 2015 — a 58-38 win in Weatherford that also marked the Bulldogs' lone Paul Sharp Cup triumph. Since joining the GAC, SWOSU is 1-6 against Ouachita in games played at Milam Stadium.

SWOSU enters the week ranked sixth in the GAC in scoring offense at 27.2 points per game, averaging 363.3 yards of total offense. Quarterback MJ Rivers has settled into a strong rhythm, leading the conference in passer efficiency (155.8), touchdown passes (16), and completion percentage (66.3). Over his last two games alone, he has averaged 252.5 passing yards per contest. Behind Rivers' steady play, the Bulldogs own the second-highest offensive efficiency rating in the GAC. The offensive line has also been one of the most reliable units in the conference, allowing just eight sacks on the season—the third-fewest in the league.

On the ground, Red Martel has been the primary option, averaging 81.2 rushing yards per game, which ranks fourth in the conference, along with four touchdowns. He currently sits inside the program's Division II era top ten for both yards per rush (5.6) and rushing yards per game (81.2). Rivers also contributes to the ground attack, adding 41.8 rushing yards per game at four yards per carry with two touchdowns.

In the passing game, Baylor Nash ranks sixth in the GAC in receiving yards per game (45.4), totaling 23 receptions and five touchdowns—the second-most receiving scores in the conference. Nash has scored at least once in each of the past two games, including his three-touchdown performance against ECU on Homecoming. Isaac Norris has hauled in a team-high 24 catches for 277 yards and four touchdowns, while Elijah Reed has added 28 receptions for 216 yards and three scores.

Defensively, Zack Roberts leads the team with 50 total tackles and has recorded three interceptions (3rd in GAC), including one in last week's win at UAM, with a pick-six on the season. Madox Sekyere ranks ninth in the GAC with 3.5 sacks, while Matthew Myles ranks eighth with 7.5 tackles for loss.

The Bulldogs rank fifth in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 22.3 points per game, and hold opponents to 334.2 total yards per game, the fourth-best mark in the GAC. The rush defense allows 178.2 yards per game, while the secondary has been among the nation's best, allowing just 156.0 passing yards per game—11th fewest in NCAA Division II. SWOSU has limited each of its past four opponents to under 300 yards of total offense. 

Ouachita enters the matchup riding a five-game winning streak, most recently defeating Northwestern 55-14. The Tigers feature one of the most balanced teams in the conference, ranking second in the GAC in scoring offense at 33.1 points per game and second in scoring defense, allowing just 17.2 points per game.

The SWOSU defense will be tasked with containing the GAC's leading receiver, Carter McElhany. He averages 68.4 receiving yards per game and has recorded 30 receptions with six touchdowns on the season, serving as the Tigers' primary big-play threat in the passing game.