RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Arkansas Tech football team rushed for over 250 yards for the third-straight game, but after the game was called due to lighting and an inability to finish play within a safe window with 6:16 remaining in the fourth quarter, Tech lost to visiting Southern Arkansas by a score of 49-33 on Saturday afternoon/evening out at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field.
 
In the game, the Wonder Boys (3-4, 3-4 GAC) fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter after SAU scored on their initial drive to start the game. The Muleriders (3-4, 3-4 GAC) then converted a Tech lost fumble into a touchdown on the ensuing drive.
 
The Wonder Boys found their footing on their next drive and scored their first touchdown of the game.
 
On that drive, the Wonder Boys quickly worked down the field starting from their own 22-yardline. In just five plays, Tech found the endzone with the final play of the drive being a 19-yard touchdown pass from Jack Grissom to tailback Keon Simmons.
 
Momentum started to shift to Tech on the ensuing kickoff after a hold on the return put SAU back to their own 10-yardline. The Wonder Boys would not allow the Muleriders to gain a yard and forced a punt. Backed into their own endzone, the punt was contacted by SAU's up man and first touched by the Muleriders at their 11-yardline, giving the Wonder Boys the ball with great field position.
 
Looking to tie the score, the Wonder Boys, unfortunately, were forced to settle for a 27-yard field goal by Jesus Zizumbo, making it a 14-10 score early in the second quarter.
 
The Muleriders then seized control of the game with touchdown drives on each of their next two possessions. Momentum continued for the Muleriders on Tech's next possession as SAU intercepted a pass near midfield. Three plays later, the Muleriders punched it in to take a 35-10 lead with just nine seconds left in the first half.
 
The Wonder Boys got the ball to begin the second half after winning the opening toss and deferring to the second half.
 
That opening drive was a good one as the Wonder Boys traversed 75 yards on 12 plays. The final play of the drive was a one-yard plunge by tight end Jordan Edington. The rushing score was fifth of the year for Edington.
 
Tech and SAU traded punts, but the Muleriders were able to score a touchdown 4:56 remaining in the third quarter to push their lead to 42-17.
 
The Wonder Boys responded right back three players later, however and scored their third touchdown of the game. The three-play drive featured nothing but runs with the big one coming on the second carry as Devontae Dean broke loose for a 62-yard gain. SAU did force a fumble on the run, but Tech wide receiver Joyrion Chase was in the right place at the right time as he was able to recover the fumble at the SAU 7-yardline.
 
Deon Simmons then scored from that yardline for his fifth rushing TD of the year.
 
Tech attempted to seize the momentum and tried an onside kick, but it was recovered by SAU. With a short field to work with, the Muleriders scored three plays later to take a 49-25 lead with 2:41 left in the third quarter.
 
The ensuing drive is where the aforementioned lighting delays reared their head.
 
On what appeared to be the final play of the third quarter, and with Tech in possession a penalty was called against the Wonder Boys and accepted by SAU, allowing one un-timed down prior to the end of the third quarter.
 
Before that un-timed play could get off, the game was suspended due to the NCAA lightning protocol as lighting was detected within the 10-mile radius.
 
The game, not quite official according to NCAA rules, would endure a delay that officially lasted two hours and seven minutes (2:07) before play resumed.
 
Once play resumed, SAU came away with an interception to give them possession and push the game to the fourth quarter, thus becoming an official contest.
 
SAU would drive the ball to their own 48-yardline before Tech forced the Muleriders to punt.
 
On Tech's ensuing drive, reserve QB Ryan Wilkerson kept the ball on a read option and found open turf 43 yards to the endzone. The Wonder Boys would convert their second two-point conversion of the game as Grissom connected with Mason Ross to make it a 49-33 score.
 
SAU got the ball back with 9:28 remaining on the clock in the fourth quarter and got off six plays before the game was sent into its second lighting delay.
 
This second delay would last 56 minutes and proved to be final action that would take place as the game was called.
 
The Wonder Boys will now hit the road next week and play at Henderson State. Kick-off for the game is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Arkadelphia.