Week Three Game Notes - Tech vs. Oklahoma Baptist

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - A perfect start to the 2017 season has the nationally-19th ranked Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys football team riding high, but a dangerous opponent awaits the Wonder Boys as they return to Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field this Saturday to square off against the Bison of Oklahoma Baptist. 

Kickoff from Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field is set for 6 p.m., with Family Day activities beginning at 9 a.m. on the Tech campus. Party at the Plaza begins at 3 p.m. at Centennial Plaza.

In the second week of the 2016 season, the Wonder Boys headed into Shawnee with a 1-0 record and were unable to overcome an early 12-0 deficit, eventually falling 19-15 to the Bison. That game will be fresh in the minds of the 2017 iteration of the Wonder Boys, who will look to avoid having their return home spoiled by a Bison team that fell 55-34 to East Central in the season opener before being narrowly edged in Durant last weekend in a 21-17 loss to Southeastern Oklahoma. 

Despite the 0-2 mark, Oklahoma Baptist has put one of the most potent offenses in the Great American Conference on the field this season, racking up 486.5 yards per contest. The tandem of Preston Haire and Dezmond Stegall have combined to throw for 324.5 yards per game, while Isaiah Mallory (182 rushing yards on 36 carries) has led an OBU rushing attack that has put up 171.5 yards per game. 

While OBU has experienced its share of success on the offensive side of the football, the Bison have had struggles on the defensive side of the ball, surrendering 522.5 yards per game - ranking 12th in the Great American Conference. 

That is a sign that bodes well for the Wonder Boys, who have been steady on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Ty Reasnor has returned from his injury and has been effective in the air and on the ground, while the Wonder Boys' rushing attack came into form in the win over Henderson State, as Arkansas Tech racked up 264 yards on the ground. 

Meanwhile, the Wonder Boys' defense has proven to be one of the more stifling units in the Great American Conference. Tech has surrendered 12.0 points per game - second only to Southeastern Oklahoma's 8.5 points per contest - and has allowed just 333.5 yards per game. In the Wonder Boys' win over Henderson State, the turnover game worked in favor of the Wonder Boys, as Cua' Rose knotted a GAC and institutional record with three interceptions. 

Saturday's game will be carried live on 102.3-FM (KCJC) in Russellville, with live video, audio, and statistical coverage provided at www.arkansastechsports.com.