OKLAHOMA BAPTIST BISON
2015 Record: 2-9 Overall, 2-9 GAC
Coach: Chris Jensen, fourth season
The Oklahoma Baptist football program has experienced many firsts through the past three years since its revival after a 73-year hiatus. In 2015, one of those first was the first year with a full Division II schedule. There were some growing pains, a few injuries and a tough loss at the end of the season to rival Southern Nazarene. But in 2016, the Bison are no longer facing their Great American Conference foes for the first time. And the roster will consist of more than 20 seniors, many of which will be four-year products of the OBU system.
OFFENSE
There is a new man leading the offense as Grant Gower, stepped down at Deer Creek in February to become the new offensive coordinator. And there could be a lot of competition at the skill positions. Dez Stegall led the charge at the QB spot last season and led the team in rushing yards (564) and rushing touchdowns (10), but passed for 1,103 yards. There is room for any player to move up the depth chart at running back, among those is Dawson Myers who returns for his final campaign. Heading into his sophomore year, Cagney Roberson from Coweta could be a go-to at receiver.
DEFENSE
Change could also be in the air as there will be holes to fill on the defensive line, especially with the graduation of Kimes Gilbert. Senior Brynden Pitzer will bring leadership and strength as one of a number of linebackers returning. And Devontrae Young, who was an All-American sprinter last season as a freshman and member of the NCCAA national champion 4x100m relay team, puts his speed back on the football field in the fall in the Bison secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Trey Tully, who had a fantastic freshman year, but suffered a bit of a sophomore slump last season, returns to kick. Josh Pettijohn and Demetri Turner, are leading returners who are candidates for kickoff return duty.
OUTLOOK
The climb continues for the program, but it is a solid groundwork that has been laid. There doesn’t look to be much letdown around the rest of the Great American Conference, so the Bison will have to beat down their own doors to garner victories. Two one-point losses that bookended last year’s schedule haunt any look back at 2015. If OBU can turn things around in the red zone (only 69.4 percent conversion rate last year), and get to the red zone (only 36 trips there), that could be the difference to help with other small adjustments and double last year’s win total.