ARKADELPHIA, Ark – The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys football team (4-1, 4-1 Great American Conference) suffered its first setback of the 2015 season on Saturday, dropping a 17-7 decision to the Henderson State Reddies (4-1, 4-1 GAC) at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium.

It was a pair of big plays that provided the difference in a statistically close contest. Henderson's first play from scrimmage saw Jaquan Cole scamper 65 yards and set up a first down inside the Tech 10-yard line. Two plays later, the Reddies struck paydirt on a 3-yard run by Ryan McDonald, giving HSU a 7-0 lead just over a minute into the contest.

From there, the Wonder Boys defense dueled with the Reddies defensive unit, as neither team was able to put points on the board through the half. Tech's defense forced five punts and picked up one interception on the remaining HSU drives of the half.

An interception by HSU on the opening Tech drive of the second half gave the Reddies the ball with excellent field position, and Houston Ray chipped home a 35-yard field goal with 12:46 to play in the quarter to extend the Reddies' lead to 10-0.

The defenses traded stops until late in the third quarter, when Cole took the ball on second and 12 from the Reddies' 12-yard line and ran 88 yards for the score, pushing the HSU lead to 17-0.

Tech got on the board late in the fourth quarter, as Arsenio Favor connected with Michael Fine on a three-yard touchdown strike, however, the clock was not on the Wonder Boys' side and HSU ran out the clock to seal the win.

Favor ran 11 times for 88 yards, while passing for 159 yards and a score. HSU's offensive attack consisted mostly of the ground game, as the Reddies gained 305 yards on the ground – 153 of those coming on the two long runs by Cole.

Logan Genz led Tech with nine tackles (six solo, three assisted) while Nick Akins and Trevon Gooden both added eight. Cua Rose turned in an interception for the Wonder Boys while Brett Calhoun recovered a fumble late in the contest.  

The Wonder Boys will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 10, returning to Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field for a Homecoming showdown with Ouachita Baptist. A 3 p.m. kick is scheduled. The game will be carried live on KCJC-FM (102.3) in Russellville, as well as online at www.arkansastechsports.com.