Box Score RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Dennis Robertson passed for 226 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Jermaine Merdock on a 98-yard touchdown strike that broke the record for longest reception in school and Great American Conference history, Logan Genz turned in a 12-tackle night, and Randy Velazquez booted a pair of field goals as the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (1-0, 1-0 Great American Conference) took a 33-14 decision over Northwestern Oklahoma (0-1, 0-1 GAC) in the two teams' season opener on Thursday evening at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field.

The Rangers got on the board first midway through the first quarter, when Reid Miller connected with Jarion Tudman on a 29-yard touchdown strike, capping a three-play, 29-yard drive and giving the Rangers a 7-0 lead with 8:20 to play in the half.

The NWOSU lead was short-lived, however, as Jabyes Cross took the subsequent kickoff four yards deep in his own end zone, and ran the ball back for a touchdown. Velazquez' extra point was good to knot the game at 7-7 at the 8:04 mark.

The Tech defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and the Wonder Boys marched downfield, as Robertson connected with Devin Patterson on a 23-yard touchdown strike to cap a six-play, 57-yard drive and give the Wonder Boys a 14-7 lead with 3:49 to play in the opening quarter.

Tech would not trail again, and the Wonder Boys added to their league after forcing a three-and-out on the next possession, when Kelton Smith turned in a five-yard touchdown run to give the Wonder Boys a 21-7 lead just 30 seconds in to the second quarter.

Both defenses traded stops throughout the second quarter, and neither team would find the scoreboard again until Velazquez booted a 41-yard field goal as time expired in the half, sending the Wonder Boys into the break with a 24-7 lead.

The Rangers moved the ball downfield on their opening drive before turning the ball over on downs. This time, the NWOSU defense forced a three-and-out and took advantage with a quick strike, as Tudman ran the first play from scrimmage 75 yards for the score on the next possession to pull NWOSU to within 24-14.

The lead would hold into the fourth quarter, when the Rangers would threaten again. NWOSU backup quarterback Cody Weinzheimer went for the end zone and was picked by Trevon Gooden, who returned the ball to the Rangers' 27 yard line. Tech pushed into NWOSU territory and Velazquez added his second field goal of the night, connecting from
27 yards out to push the Tech lead to 27-14.

The Rangers once again drove deep into Tech territory, getting a first-and-goal on the Tech four-yard line. However, the Wonder Boys' defense stood firm. NWOSU pushed the ball to the one-yard line, but the Wonder Boys picked up a tackle for loss on fourth down, forcing a turnover on downs on the two-yard line.

After a draw play was stuffed at the line of scrimmage on first down, Robertson connected with Merdock on their record-breaking touchdown strike, pushing the Tech lead to its final 33-14 margin.

Genz led all players with 12 tackles, while Wesley McKinney turned in a five-tackle, two-interception effort. Gooden's interception and Bruce Livingston's fumble recovery gave the Wonder Boys' defense four turnovers on the night. Offensively, Merdock led all players with 144 receiving yards on five catches.

The Wonder Boys go on the road next weekend, facing Southwestern Oklahoma in Weatherford, Okla. Kickoff from Fast Lane Field is set for 6 p.m., with the game to be carried live on KWKK-FM (100.9) in Russellville.