RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Tech football team scored on each of its first seven drives of the game to get off to a fast start in its home opener, turning back Oklahoma Baptist 50-7 Saturday night at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field.

The Wonder Boys (2-0, 2-0 Great American Conference) picked up a stellar effort from quarterback Arsenio Favor, who finished the contest 24-of-31 passing for 302 yards and a pair of touchdowns to go with 21 yards and three more scores rushing. The Tech defense held the Bison (0-2, 0-2 GAC) to just 160 yards of offense, and only allowed the guests past the 50 for one play in the first half.

Tech forced a three-and-out to open the game, once again starting the game with 10 men on defense to honor late teammate Zemaric Holt. This play resulted in a two-yard rush for the Bison.

The Wonder Boys didn't take long to score after getting the ball back, as Favor found Henry Wesley for the 53-yard touchdown on the offense's second play. Favor got two cracks at a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line on the next drive, making the second one count to bring the score to 13-0.

Another three-and-out from the Tech defense — one of four straight to open the contest — gave the ball back to the offense, and Favor connected with Jabyes Cross from eight yards out to make it 20-0 with 4:07 still left to play in the opening quarter. An Eric Perez 19-yard field goal  less than a minute into the second quarter kept the scoring streak going, and another one-yard sneak by Favor, a two-yard plunge from Kristian Thompson and another keeper from Favor ballooned the score to 43-0 with 4:49 left in the opening half.

OBU's first and only play in positive territory in the first half was also its final offensive play of the half, as a pass interference penalty gave the Bison a first down at the Tech 49. The Wonder Boys responded right away though, getting pressure on the opposing quarterback and forcing a wobbly pass, which was picked out of the air by defensive lineman Byron Pruitt to end the threat.

The defense stepped up again midway through the third quarter. The Bison's second drive of the half lasted 19 plays, the final six of which came with goal to-go. Tech answered the call, as Brandyn Bolling and Asa Scruggs stuffed a first down play before OBU got a fresh set of downs from a pass interference penalty. The defense, starting with Scruggs, Pruitt, then Alonzo Joyner and Justin Lewis, stuffed the visitors for four straight plays to force a turnover on downs.

Tech rushed 25 times for 110 yards in the second half, finishing the game with 219 yards on the ground on 52 carries, giving the Wonder Boys a two-game total of 688 rushing yards, just 57 yards shy of half their total from last season. They again spread the ball around, with five different rushers toting the ball at least seven times. Thompson led the way with 56 yards on 10 carries, and Brayden Stringer added nine carries for 46 yards.

Jermaine Murdock caught nine passes for 126 yards to lead the receiving corps, and added a 24-yard kickoff return.

Defensively Logan Genz posted six solo tackles to pace the team, and added a sack. Alonzo Joyner was in on five stops, while Pruitt had two tackles, one for a loss, and the interception. Cua' Rose also had an interception, while Bolling and Corey Clark each had a sack.

Tech looks to keep its unblemished record intact next Saturday, as the Wonder Boys hit the road for a 6 p.m. contest at Arkansas-Monticello.