KICKING OFF
Winners of three-straight games, the Arkansas Tech football team is set to face a difficult road test this week as they travel to Arkadelphia to take on nationally-ranked Ouachita Baptist. A week ago, Ouachita was a consensus top-10 ranked team and took on fellow top-10 ranked Harding on the road. Ouachita would lose that game, and as a result, comes into this weekend's game ranked No. 14 by the AFCA and No. 16 by D2Football.com.
In getting to three-straight wins, the Wonder Boys rid themselves of a remarkably odd streak. Their most-recent win against Arkansas-Monticello gave the Wonder Boys their first win over a team from Arkansas since early in the 2017 season, a streak of 25 games.
As bizarre and unbelievable of a streak as it was, further context would point out that since the 2017 season and coming into play this past weekend, DII schools from Arkansas other than Arkansas Tech had a combined overall record of 219-103. Additionally, during the stretch, the Wonder Boys had nine games where they lost by seven or fewer points.
Coming into this weekend, the Wonder Boys are looking to snap a five-game losing skid to Ouachita. Their last win against the Tigers came in 2016 when Tech won in Arkadelphia, 49-17.
TECH(NICALLY) SPEAKING
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively through seven games, the Wonder Boys are averaging 22.3 points per game and 316.3 yards of total offense. Their ppg average ranks eight in the GAC, while their total offense also ranks eight.
Taye Gatewood has assumed the starting quarterback role for the Wonders Boys with starts in each of the last six games. Thus far, he has thrown for 1,405 yards on 122-of-185 passing with 10 touchdowns and five 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 64 and the most yards with 266. Jordan Edington leads the team in rushing touchdowns with four. Gatewood is next with two, while Corbin Humphrey and Wise account for the other rushing scores.
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 306 yards receiving on 29 receptions. He is also tied for second on the team in receiving TDs with Joyrion Chase at two.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively through seven games, the Wonder Boys are allowing an average of 391.0 yards of total offense per game by their opponents and 25.0 points per game. The total defense ranks 10th in the GAC, while their scoring defense is sixth.
Individually, Tech has seven players that have registered 25 or more tackles. The leading tackler thus far is Jyrin Steward and his 42 stops. Vershaud Richardson leads the team in tackles for loss with 9.05 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 18-of-20 in extra point attempts and 6-of-9 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 43.9 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 30.0 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.
ABOUT OUACHITA
LAST GAME
The Ouachita Baptist football team is coming off a loss in their heavyweight clash with Harding this past weekend. Both teams entered that game undefeated and were ranked in the top-10 in DII. The first half was what you would expect between two highly-rated teams as Harding narrowly led 10-3 at the break. The second half, however, saw the separation take place as Harding out-scored Ouachita, 31-7, en route to a 41-10 win.
THE COACH
The Tigers are coached by the longest-tenured head coach in the GAC in Todd Knight as Knight enters into his 25th season as head coach at Ouachita and his 31st overall. At Ouachita, Knight has amassed a 149-100 record and since the formation of the GAC in 2011, Knight's Tigers have been a dominant force in the league sporting an impressive 92-20 record in league play. Having led the Tigers to five NCAA DII Playoff appearances, Knight is also a five-time GAC Coach of the Year as well as a three-time AFCA Region Three Coach of the Year.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively, the Tigers feature a multiple offensive attack. Through seven games, Ouachita ranks second in the GAC in scoring average at 39.4 ppg and fifth in total offense with an average of 411.0 ypg. On the ground, the Tigers are averaging 198.9 yards per game to rank fourth in th GAC. Through the air, they rank fourth with an average of 212.1 yards per game.
The leading rusher thus far has been Kendel Givens with 679 yards gained on 129 carried. He also leads the team in rushing TDs with 12.
Under center, for the Tigers is Riley Harms. Through seven games, Harms has completed 108 of 167 attempts for 1,422 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has only thrown one interception this season.
The leading pass catcher is Connor Flannigan. Flannigan has 626 yards receiving on 46 receptions and has scored six touchdowns.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively, the Tigers base out of the 4-3 scheme and currently rank second in scoring defense allowing just 17.9 ppg. Their total defense is the second-ranked unit in the GAC as they are currently only allowing 303.7 ypg of total offense by their opponents.
Collectively, the Tigers have forced 10 turnovers with six interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
Individually, the Tigers have a two tacklers with at least 50 stops and are led by Josiah Johnson and his 55 tackles. Mikey Gonzales is the team leader in tackles for loss with 7.0Â while Chance Taylor is the leader in sacks with 3.5..
THE SERIES
This will be the 87th meeting all-time between Arkansas Tech and Ouachita in a series that dates back to 1924. This will also be the 41st game played between the two in Arkadelphia. Overall, Tech holds a 44-35-7 advantage in the all-time series and has a 21-17-2 lead in games played in Arkadelphia. Since transitioning to NCAA Division II, the Wonder Boys and Tigers have met 21 times previously and in that time, Tech leads 11-10-0.
