KICKING OFF
With three games left in the regular season, a pair of 3-5 teams in Arkansas Tech and East Central meet up in Ada on Saturday afternoon in search of taking a necessary step towards securing a winning season.
Both teams are coming off losses in their last time out, but the Wonder Boys figure to be riding a little higher from their defeat than ECU as Tech pushed nationally-ranked Ouachita Baptist to the limit on the road, narrowly losing to the purple-clad Tigers 31-24.
The one-possession loss was the fourth for Tech of seven points or fewer this season and snapped what was a three-game winning streak for the Wonder Boys. The Wonder Boys now shift their attention towards the orange-clad Tigers for their final road game of the season.
Last year, the Wonder Boys beat ECU at home 35-13 in Week Two of the season. That loss put the Tigers 0-2 to start the year, but they bounced back in a big way and won six-straight and eight of their final nine to end the regular season 8-3. That resulted in the Tigers getting a bowl game bid to the Fun Town RV Heritage Bowl in Corsicana, Texas. ECU would win that game to finish the season 9-3 overall.
TECH(NICALLY) SPEAKING
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively through eight games, the Wonder Boys are averaging 22.5 points per game and 320.9 yards of total offense. Their ppg average ranks seventh in the GAC, while their total offense ranks eight.
Taye Gatewood has assumed the starting quarterback role for the Wonders Boys with starts in each of the last seven games. Thus far, he has thrown for 1,695 yards on 148-of-222 passing with 11 touchdowns and six 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 65 and the most yards with 267. Jordan Edington leads the team in rushing touchdowns with six. 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 34 catches, 439 yards and five TDs. Matthew Rivera is the next-leading receiver with 365 yards receiving on 32 receptions. He is also tied for second on the team in receiving TDs with Joyrion Chase at two.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively through eight games, the Wonder Boys are allowing an average of 387.9 yards of total offense per game by their opponents and 25.8 points per game. The total defense ranks 10th in the GAC, while their scoring defense is seventh.
Individually, Tech has eight players that have registered 25 or more tackles. The leading tackler thus far is Jyrin Steward and his 44 stops. Vershaud Richardson leads the team in tackles for loss with 12.0 and sacks with 7.5. 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 21-of-23 in extra point attempts and 7-of-10 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 44.8 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 26.9 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 EAST CENTRAL
LAST GAME
East Central is coming off a loss at home to Southern Nazarene in their most-recent game. In that game, the Tigers were out-scored 27-6 in the second half. The big blows came on long TD runs allowed to SNU All-American quarterback Gage Porter.
THE COACH
The Tigers are coached by John Litrenta, who enters into his first season as interim head coach at East Central. No stranger to ECU itself, Litrenta first got to Ada in 2018 as the outside linebackers coach and then was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2020. This past season as DC, Litrenta's defense ranked first in the GAC in scoring defense, sacks and third down defense.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively, the Tigers feature a spread offensive attack. Through eight games, ECU ranks ninth in the GAC in scoring average at 21.6 ppg and 10th in total offense with an average of 302.9 ypg. On the ground, the Tigers are averaging 113.6 yards per game to rank seventh in the GAC. Through the air, they also rank seventh with an average of 189.3 yards per game.
The leading rusher thus far has been Miles Davis with 399 yards gained on 70 carries. He also leads the team in rushing TDs with three.
Under center, for the Tigers has been a split between Jaiave Magalei and Traair Edwards. Both have played in at least six games and attempted just over 105 passes. Magalei has the most passing yards with 727 and the most TD passes with nine.
The leading pass catcher is Dior Scott. Scott has 442 yards receiving on 37 receptions and has scored three touchdowns. C.J. Moore is second in yards and receptions, but leads in touchdowns with five.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively, the Tigers base out of the 3-4 scheme and currently rank fourth in scoring defense allowing just 24.3 ppg. Their total defense is the seventh-ranked unit in the GAC as they are currently allowing 356.9 ypg of total offense by their opponents.
Collectively, the Tigers have forced 12 turnovers with 10 interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
Individually, the Tigers have a three tacklers with at least 40 stops and are led by Devon Roush and his 80 tackles. Roush is also the team leader in tackles for loss with 7.5 and sacks with 2.0.
THE SERIES
This will be the 25th 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 7-4. Overall, ECU holds a 14-10 advantage in the all-time series. This will also be the 11th game played between the two in Ada and ECU has a lead in those games, 6-4.
