By Brian Ramsey | OBU Sports Information

ARKADELPHIA — In a gesture of humanity, the Great American Conference has posthumously named Clark Yarbrough as its co-defensive player of the week for week one of the 2022 season. The league also named senior running back TJ Cole as the co-offensive player of the week.

Yarbrough died on Sunday, September 4 following a sudden collapse. He was in his fourth season at Ouachita, and had two tackles in the Tigers’ season-opening 42-32 victory over Oklahoma Baptist this past Thursday in Shawnee. It was Ouachita’s 15th consecutive win in season openers, and eighth straight win over Oklahoma Baptist, keeping Ouachita undefeated against the Bison in the GAC era.

Cole picked up right where he left off from the 2021 season, when he ranked fifth in the nation in rushing. In Thursday’s win over the Bison, Cole had 20 carries for 198 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 9.9 yards per carry.

The Tigers play their first home game of the 2022 season this Saturday, Sept. 10, against Southern Nazarene. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Cliff Harris Stadium.