GAME INFORMATION
ARKANSAS TECH WONDER BOYS 2-4 (2-4 GAC)	ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO BOLL WEEVILS 2-4 (2-4 GAC)
Saturday, October 14 | 2 p.m. Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium | Russellville, Ark. LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO | LISTEN LIVE | ATU NOTES (PDF)

KICKING OFF
The Arkansas Tech football team is back at home this weekend after absolutely grinding out a 9-7 road win at Southwestern Oklahoma last weekend. The win was the second-straight for the Wonder Boys this season and their fourth-straight against SWOSU dating back to 2019.

After being held scoreless through the first three quarters of the game against SWOSU, the Wonder Boys only trailed 7-0. On their initial drive of the fourth quarter, Tech's offense broke through and scored their first points mid-way through the period on a one-yard TD plunge by Jordan Edington. That drive consumed just over seven minutes of game time and encompassed 13 plays.

Even with the touchdown on the board, the Wonder Boys needed the extra point to tie the score. Unfortunately, that try was blocked to preserve the lead for SWOSU. While the blocked PAT attempt was rough in the moment, a complete disaster was averted on the ensuing return by SWOSU as Tech's holder and chief punter, Aaron Winn, raced down the field and made a game-saving tackle to prevent two points from going on the board for SWOSU.

Later in the quarter, the Wonder Boys got the ball back with 4:18 left in regulation and marched down the field to position themselves for a 20-yard field goal try with time expiring.

Despite the distance of the kick, it was no gimme as Tech had previously been denied in the kicking game with two prior missed field goal attempts and the aforementioned blocked extra-point try. Undeterred by that negative history, however, kicker Austin Hosier drilled the game-winner, giving the Wonder Boys their third-straight walk-off win against SWOSU.

The Wonder Boys will now be looking to continue that momentum into their home game against Arkansas-Monticello where they will be seeking a three-game winning streak for the second time under head coach Kyle Shipp.

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TECH(NICALLY) SPEAKING
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively through six games, the Wonder Boys are averaging 22.0 points per game and 324.3 yards of total offense. Their ppg average ranks seventh in the GAC, while their total offense ranks also seventh.

Taye Gatewood has assumed the starting quarterback role for the Wonders Boys with starts in each of the last five games. Thus far, he has thrown for 1,256 yards on 109-of-163 passing with nine touchdowns and four interceptions.

On the ground, the Wonder Boys have had 12 different ball carriers through six games. Deuce Wise has had the most carries by a running back with 58 and the most yards with 250. Jordan Edington leads the team in rushing touchdowns with three. Gatewood is next with two, while Corbin Humphrey accounts for the other rushing score.

In terms of receiving, Tech has had pass completions to 15 different targets. Caleb Tanis leads the team in receptions, yards and touchdowns with 30 catches, 387 yards and four TDs. Matthew Rivera is the next-leading receiver with 297 yards receiving on 26 receptions. He is also tied for second on the team in receiving TDs with Joyrion Chase at two.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively through six games, the Wonder Boys are allowing an average of 395.2 yards of total offense per game by their opponents and 27.5 points per game. The total defense ranks 10th in the GAC, while their scoring defense is seventh.

Individually, Tech has seven players that have registered 25 or more tackles. The leading tackler thus far is Jyrin Steward and his 38 stops. Vershaud Richardson lead the team in tackles for loss with 9.0 and sacks with 5.0. Richardson also leads the team in forced fumbles with two.

SPECIAL TEAMS
The new-look kicking game for the Wonder Boys has Austin Hosier handling the placekicking duties. He is 15-of-17 in extra point attempts and 5-of-7 in field goal attempts.

In the punting game, Tech has used a pair of punters but are expected to rely on veteran returner Aaron Winn when healthy. He is currently averaging 45.5 yards per punt and has a long of 63 yards.

In the return game, the Wonder Boys are first in the GAC in kickoff returns and are averaging 29.3 yards per return. They already have three returns of at least 50 yards this season, all done by different players with Mason Ross, Hunter Wilkinson and Ryan Wilkerson having the big returns.

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ABOUT ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO
LAST GAME
The Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils enter this weekend's game at Arkansas Tech at 2-4 overall and 2-4 in the GAC. They have lost four-straight games. In their most-recent game, the Boll Weevils lost in heart-breaking fashion on the road at Southeastern Oklahoma as the Savage Storm completed a pass in the endzone on the final play of the game, upending UAM, 22-21.

THE COACH
The Boll Weevils are coached by Hud Jackson, who is in his 13th year as the head coach at UAM. In his time with the Boll Weevils, Jackson has amassed a 44-83 overall record. In six different seasons, Jackson has led the Boll Weevils to at least five wins. In 2018, UAM won the most games under Jackson with six and appeared in the Corsicana Bowl that same year.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively, through their first six games of year, UAM has the fourth-ranked scoring offense in the GAC at 33.3 ppg and the sixth-best total offense with an average of 388.7 ypg. Through the air, the Boll Weevils are averaging 265.5 ypg to rank first in the GAC. On the ground, UAM is averaging 123.2 ypg to rank sixth in the GAC.

The leading rusher thus far has been quarterback Demilon Brown with 223 yards gained and three touchdowns. The top rushing running back  Gary Ferman. Ferman has 142 yards. Wide receiver Arlie Lee has the most rushing TDs on the team with four.

In the passing game, Brown has completed 54% of his passes (78-of-142) and has thrown for 1,046 yards and 11 touchdowns against just three interceptions. The anticipated starter at QB, however, is Buddy Taylor as Brown has not played the last two games due to injury. In his stead, Taylor has thrown for 513 yards with three TDs and five INTs.

The leading receiver for UAM is Isaiah Cross. He has 29 receptions for 390 yards and three touchdowns. Nick Howard is not far behind with 386 yards receiving on 34 receptions. He also leads the team in TDs with four.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively, the Boll Weevils currently rank 10th in scoring defense, allowing 34.3 ppg. Their total defense ranks seventh in the GAC allowing 364.0 ypg of total offense by their opponents. Through the air, UAM ranks fourth in the GAC with 173.2 ypg On the ground, the Boll Weevils allow an average of 190.8 ypg and rank seventh in the GAC.

Collectively, the Boll Weevils have forced 10 turnovers with three interceptions and seven fumble recoveries.

Individually, UAM's have six players with at least 20 stops and are led by Alfernee Hankins with 31. Hankins also leads in TFLs with 9.0 and sacks with 3.5.

THE SERIES
This will be the 79th meeting all-time between Arkansas Tech and Arkansas-Monticello in a series that dates back to 1928. Overall, Tech holds a 45-30-3 advantage in the all-time series and has a 24-13-2 lead in games played in Russellville. Since transitioning to NCAA Division II, the Wonder Boys and Boll Weevils have met 23 times previously and in that time, Tech leads 14-9-0.