LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Baptist put together a pair of scoring drives against Louisiana Christian, but the visiting Wildcats used a powerful rushing attack to secure a 62-13 victory Saturday at Earl Quigley-Bernie Cox Stadium.
Louisiana Christian (9-1, 7-0) scored on its first three possessions to build a 20-0 lead in the opening quarter. The Wildcats struck quickly, connecting on touchdown passes of 63 and 55 yards before adding a 12-yard rushing score from Datlan Cunningham.
Arkansas Baptist (2-9, 2-6) answered late in the first quarter when quarterback Jayden Young connected with Cornell Russell for a 42-yard touchdown. The scoring play capped a 65-yard drive and put the Buffaloes on the board.
The Buffaloes continued to show offensive promise in the second quarter. Young led an 84-yard drive, completing passes to Adrian Mitchell and Terrell Pegues before finding Soloman Daughtery for a 22-yard touchdown. Arkansas Baptist cut the deficit to 24-13, but Louisiana Christian responded with two more scores to take a 34-13 advantage into halftime.
The Wildcats controlled the second half, adding 14 points in each of the final two quarters while holding Arkansas Baptist scoreless.
Young finished 13-of-28 passing for 169 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Aaron Jacob Rowell added one completion for five yards. Russell led the Buffaloes with 42 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Daughtery recorded 22 yards and a score.
On the ground, Terrell Whethers led Arkansas Baptist with 60 yards on nine carries. Pegues added 43 yards on 14 attempts, including a long run of 34 yards.
Defensively, Darreion Williams paced the Buffaloes with eight total tackles, while Vernon Grant and Joa'Quinn Charles each recorded six. Marques Hampton intercepted a pass and returned it 23 yards, and Kordai Akins and Nicolis Adu-Poku each recorded a sack.
Louisiana Christian finished with 635 yards of total offense, including 427 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Datlan Cunningham led the Wildcats with 146 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Jaterrius Johnson added 139 yards and a score.
Arkansas Baptist totaled 277 yards of offense, including 174 through the air and 103 on the ground. The Buffaloes finished with 21 first downs but were unable to overcome Louisiana Christian's explosive offensive production.
