Week 5 Game Notes

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys football team (2-2, 2-1 Great American Conference) will return to the friendly confines of Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field and GAC play as the Wonder Boys play host to the University of Arkansas at Monticello Boll Weevils on Saturday.

Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

The Wonder Boys are coming off their lone non-conference contest of the year, and will return to Russellville against a longtime rival, one that has not picked up a road win over Arkansas Tech since the 2001 season.

As Tech prepares for Saturday's game, they take to the field with two things the team needed after last weekend's loss – a clean slate, and a selective case of memory loss.

"It's just like I told them at the end of the game," said Wonder Boys head coach Raymond Monica, "Once we left the field we were finished with McNeese State and we had to move on to focus on UAM. We had a long trip home and it changed our routine, but we got back out there Tuesday with practice and had a day in full pads Wednesday, and we're focused on getting ready for the game."

The Boll Weevils, a formidable foe in their own right, have a team that coach Monica knows is far better than their record.

UAM (1-3, 1-3) has been a hard-luck squad to say the least this season, losing the first three games this season by a combined total of 13 points, and in each contest, the Boll Weevils either led or held a tie in the final two minutes of each contest.

"They're better than their record indicates," said Monica. "They had their opportunities to beat East Central in their first game. They went down with the wire with Southeastern. They fell victim to some trick plays against Northwestern (Oklahoma). They could easily be coming in here 4-0."

While the Boll Weevils found their way into the win column last weekend against Southwestern Oklahoma, the Boll Weevils have another streak they are looking to break as they come to Russellville. The Boll Weevils have not won a contest outside Monticello since November 26, 2010, when UAM topped Southern Arkansas 28-23 in the neutral-site Boomtown Classic, and they have not won a road contest since a 37-31 win over Ouachita in Arkadelphia on September 18, 2010, a streak of 20 road losses.

Much like the Wonder Boys enter this weekend with a clean slate and a short-term memory, the Boll Weevils will do the same.

Monica is quick to point out that this UAM team has some real strengths on the offensive side of the football.

"They do a very good job moving the ball around," said Monica. "They have a very good running back, there's no question about that."

In what will be a matchup of strength against strength, the Boll Weevils' potent offense will match up with the Wonder Boys' stingy defense on Saturday.

UAM has been led by Hunter Leppert under center. The injury-plagued junior signal-caller has stayed healthy through the first four games of the season, and has thrown for 839 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. Meanwhile, Rod Smith has been a capable tailback for the Boll Weevils, rushing for six touchdowns and 306 yards. Cody Bordelon has been the Weevils' top wideout in the early going with 250 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the football, Logan Genz has once again led the way for Arkansas Tech. With 45 tackles on the season, Genz enters play with 256 career tackles, and is poised to break into the top-ten all time at Arkansas Tech at some point this season. Shai Kobayashi has continued his excellent play with 27 tackles and two interceptions, while Wesley McKinney leads the team with two sacks, going along with his 26 tackles, two interceptions, and two quarterback hurries.

Their efforts have bolstered a defensive unit that has forced 16 turnovers this season, including a Division II-best 11 interceptions.

As the UAM offensive unit has been potent and the Tech defense has been stingy, Saturday's game provides a contrast in styles. "It comes down to matchups," said Monica, "and every day is different. The best team will win the game, and we just have to be ready to play."

The game will be carried live on 100.9-FM (KWKK) in Russellville, with live video, audio, and statistics available at www.arkansastechsports.com.