RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – After over 650 days between games, the Arkansas Tech football team made its long-awaited return to the gridiron on Thursday night at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field. The return to action, however, was spoiled by visiting Southeastern Oklahoma as they defeated Tech 38-20.
Just over midway through the first quarter Southeastern scored the game's first points on a one-yard plunge. Following a three-and-out drive after the Southeastern touchdown, the Wonder Boys (0-1, 0-1 GAC) got some momentum from their defense as linebacker
Victor Hill intercepted a pass right at midfield at the SE 49-yardline.
On the ensuing drive, the Wonder Boys put up their first points of the game as quarterback
Jack Lindsey connected with wideout
Adam Cousins for a 36-yard touchdown.
Tied at seven-all through the first quarter, Southeastern took control of the game in the second quarter out-scoring the Wonder Boys 17-0. All three of the scoring drives that quarter came in succession for the Savage Storm (1-0, 1-0 GAC) as they took advantage of a Tech turnover and a pair of short offensive drives.
After winning the toss and electing to defer to the second half, Southeastern was able to keep the momentum going from the second quarter and struck quickly in the third quarter for a long pass play that put them up 31-7.
The Wonder Boys answered that quick score with a methodical 11-play, 5:04 touchdown drive that ate up 84 yards. Capping off the lengthy drive was freshman tight end Jordan Eddington as he came in on a wildcat formation and scored from eight yards out. Tech would attempt a two-point conversion, but it was not successful.
After getting the ball back with 2:40 remaining in the third quarter, Tech engineered a seven-play, 70-yard scoring drive to pull to within two scores, 31-20. The final play of that drive was a three-yard pass from Lindsey to tailback
Caleb Batie.
The Wonder Boys' next possession of the quarter ended with a turnover on downs. Southeastern then capped the game's scoring with their final touchdown of the game with 6:43 left on the clock, bringing the score to its eventual final of 38-20..
The Wonder Boys will now hit the road for week two and will take on East Central on Saturday, September 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Ada.
