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For The Arkadelphian

EL DORADO — College football returns to El Dorado this fall with the Murphy USA Classic. Now in its 12th year, the Classic is slated for Saturday, October 22, at Memorial Stadium. The Great American Conference game will pit the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers against the Southern Arkansas University Muleriders as the centerpiece of a weekend of football activities for students, alumni, and fans from around the state.

According to Will Prewitt, commissioner for the Great American Conference, “The Murphy USA Classic is always one of the highlights of the GAC regular season football schedule. In particular, the SAU-OBU games in the past have provided some incredible matchups in El Dorado. I certainly anticipate another great game between these two quality programs this fall.”

The October 22 nd match-up will be the fourth time these two teams have met in El Dorado to play for the coveted Classic title. In the 2015 battle, the Muleriders won the game by a score of 32-28, and in 2017, the Tigers took home the prize, winning with a nail-biting, end-of-the-game score of 45-42. This year, the Muleriders look to avenge a heart-breaking 38-21 loss to the
Tigers the last time they met at the 2019 Classic.

As title sponsor, Murphy USA’s involvement has helped transform the game into an expansive tailgating event, bringing together each school’s alumni presence in an afternoon of football revelry as the two GAC rivals prepare to meet on the gridiron. Don Miller, Philanthropy, Community Relations & Administrative Services, said, “Murphy USA is proud to be part of
bringing exciting college football to El Dorado, showcasing the talented student-athletes from both fine universities. The Murphy USA Classic has become a fall tradition and we look forward to having the students, alumni, and fans of the Tigers and Muleriders here again in El Dorado.”

Event chairman John Thomas Shepherd said, “The Murphy USA Classic offers a one-of-a-kind game day experience, bringing two teams together in a town filled with plenty of alumni from both schools. We are thrilled to welcome both outstanding teams, along with their fans. This event allows residents of El Dorado and the surrounding area to experience big-time college
football at home. In turn, hosting this game allows El Dorado to showcase all that it has to offer to the thousands of fans who attend from all over the region.”

Tailgating activities are expected to begin around 11 a.m. on the grounds of Memorial Stadium and Fifth Street, with kickoff slated for 2 p.m. Stay up to date on event developments, ticket sales, and more at fb.me/murphyusaclassic.