Tech vs. OBU Game Notes - "Bohemian Rhapsody" Edition

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - After putting together a pair of back-to-back 50-point performances on the offensive side of the ball, the No. 11 Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys football team (4-0, 4-0 Great American Conference) returns home this Saturday for one of its toughest challenges of the 2017 season - a date with the Ouachita Baptist Tigers (3-1, 3-1). Kickoff from Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field is set for 6 p.m., and live audio, video, and statistics is available at www.arkansastechsports.com.

Approaching the mid-way point of the season, it has been the Wonder Boys and Southeastern Oklahoma who have been the big surprises in the Great American Conference. With Tech picked to finish sixth in the league and Southeastern Oklahoma selected fifth, the two teams stand as the lone undefeated teams four weeks into the season. Only one other team sits with a record better than 2-2, and that is Ouachita Baptist, who fell 41-35 to Southeastern Oklahoma two weeks ago at Cliff Harris Stadium.

Saturday's game gives the Wonder Boys a golden opportunity to create additional separation from the pack in the Great American Conference - or will muddy the waters entering the middle of the season. 

Since a come-from-behind win over Southern Arkansas in the season opener, Arkansas Tech has outscored its opposition 136-24, and has done so thanks to a complete effort on offense, defense, and special teams. 

Tech has scored touchdowns on special teams in each of the last two games, with Kristian Thompson returning a punt block against Oklahoma Baptist and Braden Stringer setting a new school record with his 93-yard return at Southern Nazarene. For his efforts against SNU, Stringer was named the GAC's Special Teams Player of the Week. Overall, the Wonder Boys post the most prolific offense (41.0 points per game) and stingiest defense (11.2 points per game) in the conference. However, Saturday's matchup will be with a team that tracks closely behind the Wonder Boys in both categories. 

Ouachita ranks third in both, scoring 37.2 and allowing 23.2 points per contest. The Tigers edged an ascendant Northwestern Oklahoma team in week one, and has also picked up lopsided wins on the road against Southwestern Oklahoma (38-10) and East Central (45-14). 

Leading the way offensively for OBU has been Austin Warford, who has thrown for 599 yards and three scores while rushing for 315 and two more. The Tigers have turned to Drew Harris in short-yardage situations, and Harris has found the end zone on eight of his 21 carries this season. Defensively, Elijah Jones has led the Tigers with 37 tackles, including three stops for loss, one interception and two pass breakups. 

Party at the Plaza, the weekly tailgating celebration, is slated for a 4 p.m. start time at Centennial Plaza. Walk-up ticket sales will also begin at 4 p.m.

After Saturday's home game, the Wonder Boys hit the road for two weeks before returning home to face Northwestern Oklahoma on Saturday, Oct. 21.