GAME INFORMATION
ARKANSAS TECH WONDER BOYS 0-1 (0-1 GAC)	EAST CENTRAL TIGERS 0-1 (0-1 GAC)
Saturday, September 10 | 6 p.m. Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field | Russellville, Ark. LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO | LISTEN LIVE | ATU NOTES (PDF) | ECU NOTES

KICKING OFF

A much-improved Arkansas Tech football team took the field last week against one of the preseason favorites in the Great American Conference and nearly pulled off an upset on the road at Southeastern Oklahoma.

In that game, the Wonder Boys gave the Savage Storm everything they wanted and more on their home field as the outcome was not decided until a second overtime period. Unfortunately, the Wonder Boys fell just short in the game, but the level of play in the opener should breed confidence heading into a two-game home stretch upcoming for Tech.

First up on that list is this Saturday's game against East Central. Like the Wonder Boys, the Tigers will be coming into play 0-1 after dropping their opener against a top-rated GAC opponent. Also like Tech, ECU showed signs of marked improvement from a year ago keeping the game within reach thanks to a stellar defensive effort.

TECH TIDBITS
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE

Offensively, the Wonder Boys totaled 379 yards of offense in their season-opener against Southeastern Oklahoma. That total saw a very balanced attack that netted 161 yards on the ground and 218 yards through the air.

Junior transfer Taye Gatewood saw most of the snaps at quarterback and was the only one to attempt a pass. In his season debut, the former ECU Tiger was 15-for-25 for 218 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, he gained 29 yards and scored, but netted a negative rushing total.

Four other players had at least five carries with Devontae Dean having the most with seven. Deon Simmons and Jordan Edington both scored lengthy rushing touchdowns with 21-yard and 30-yard efforts, respectively.

In terms of receiving, Joyrion Chase led the team with five receptions for 81 yards. Mason Ross had the lone score through the air making good on a 70-yard catch and run.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE

Offensively, the Wonder Boys allowed 484 yards of offense against Southeastern. That total was predominately done through the air as SE had 379 passing yards and just 105 net rushing yards.

The Wonder Boys were able to generate a couple of takeaways with an interception and a fumble recovery. They also held SE to 4-of-13 success on third down and 0-of-3 conversion on fourth down.

Individually, Jordan Furtch led the way on defense as he had a team-high 10 tackles (seven solo). He also was in the middle of both Tech takeaways coming away with the interception and forcing/recovering the fumble. Three other Wonder Boys had at least seven tackles in the game.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Senior kicker Jesus Zizumbo inched closer to the all-time record for field goals made with two against SE. He now has 30 in his career and is nine away from tying the record held by Piotr Styczen (1993-96). One of Zizumbo's makes against SE tied a single-game long as he buried a 52-yard try.

ABOUT EAST CENTRAL
LAST GAME

East Central opened their 2022 season at home against nationally-ranked Harding and more than held their own against the Bison, losing 29-12. Defensively, the Tigers limited the potent rushing attack of Harding under 220 yards and forced four fumbles, recovering three. Offensively, however, ECU struggled to get much going to capatilize on the takeaways and totaled just 161 yards of total offense.

THE COACH

The Tigers are coached by Kris McCullough, who enters into his first season as interim head coach at East Central. No stranger to ECU itself, McCullough first got to Ada in 2018 as the quarterback coach. He then went on be special teams coordinator, offensive coordinator and assistant head coach prior to his appointment as interim head coach.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE

Offensively, the Tigers feature a multiple spread offensive attack. In their first game of the season, that offense took on one of the top defensive unites in the country in Harding and was held to just 161 yards of total offense (147 passing, 14 rushing). Ball security was not an issue as it was in the matchup a year ago as ECU did not turned the ball over after doing so five times last time.

Leading the offense once more for the Tigers is Kenny Hrncir. Now a three-year starter at quarterback, the Hrncir has totaled nearly 4,500 yards through the air and just over 1,000 yards on the ground for his career.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE

Defensively, the Tigers base out of the 3-4 scheme and ranked fourth in the GAC in 2021 in terms of total defense. That season, ECU allowed 371.0 yards per game.

On the ground, the Tigers ranked sixth in the league giving up an average of 178.6 yards per game. Through the air, East Central had the fourth-ranked pass defense allowing 192.4 yards per game. Overall, that defensive unit came away with 15 takeaways with 10 interceptions and five fumble recoveries.

Individually, the top tackler returning for the Tigers is Cody Alexander. In 2021. Alexander was second on the team in tackles with 65. He was also fourth on the team in tackles for lost yardage with 6.0. Their top sack artist, Michael Onwuzurike returns after totaling 3.5 sacks. The Tigers also return Jalen Baldwin on defense. The defensive back led the team and the GAC in interceptions last year with five.

THE SERIES

This will be the 24th meeting all-time between Arkansas Tech and East Central in a series that dates back to 1926. The series has been played in earnest since 2011 as both ECU and Tech were charter members of the GAC. Since 2011, ECU leads 7-3. Overall, ECU holds a 14-9 advantage in the all-time series. This will also be the 14th game played between the two in Russellville and ECU has a lead in those games, 8-5.