LITTLE ROCK – Ouachita Baptist and Henderson State concluded its short week with a press conference as the two football teams will tangle in the 82nd meeting of the Coleman Dairy Battle of the Ravine Thursday night in the Gulf South Conference Game of the Week at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium.

Members of the media gathered Wednesday morning in the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Museum at Alltel Arena for a press conference to sponsor the game. Tigers head coach Todd Knight and Reddies coach Scott Maxfield were in attendance and both seemed excited about the game.

“We are very excited about this game,” Knight said. “He (Scott) had done a super job at Henderson State. Their receiving (Garrett Manning) is unbelievable. Defensively, their secondary is really, really fast.

“I am proud of our team and what we have accomplished this year. We’ve won some really close games and that brings a good team together. Our team is very confident right now. It will be a great game and a lot of great players have played in these games.”

Ouachita (6-3 overall, 4-3 GSC) enters the game having won four straight, including a thrilling 45-43 three-overtime contest against West Alabama last weekend. Henderson State (5-4, 4-3) also was victorious as the Reddies rallied for a 33-32 win at home against Harding.

“They (Ouachita) have had a great year,” Maxfield said. “I think the biggest difference with them is the defense. They have upgraded their defense to a different level. They have an outstanding quarterback, an electrifying running back and a professional wide receiver. But I am really concerned about their tight end.

“Right now, we are battling injuries. Our team is confident going into this game. Our offensive line has done an outstanding job this year.”

This is the 82nd installment between the two universities, which began in 1895 and it is the oldest rivalry in Division II football. Henderson State won last season’s contest, 18-0, at A.U. Williams Field. The Reddies now hold a 38-37-6 record in the series.

The Tigers, who remained 10th in the latest NCAA Division II Super Regional Two poll, take the short trip to Henderson State, 7 p.m. today to Carpenter-Haygood Stadium for the Coleman Dairy Battle of the Ravine.