KICKING OFF
For the second time this season, the Arkansas Tech football team will be facing a nationally-ranked opponent as they play host to consensus top-10 ranked Ouachita Baptist. The Wonder Boys will be looking to hand the Tigers their first loss of the season and in the process return themselves to the win column.
Kick-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium.
TECH(NICALLY) SPEAKING
LAST GAME
The Wonder Boys are coming off a disappointing 24-13 defeat on the road at Arkansas-Monticello this past weekend. In that game, the Wonder Boys fell behind 14-0 through the first five minutes of the first quarter and were unable to fully climb out of the hole.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively after seven games, the Wonder Boys are averaging 25.0 points per game and 347.4 yards of total offense. Their ppg average ranks sixth in the GAC, while their total offense also ranks sixth.
In the passing game, the Wonder Boys used a trio of quarterbacks with Ethan Forrester, Ethan Everson and Hunter Loyd making at least one start. Overall, Everson has played in all seven game and has made five starts. In his time on the field, Everson has thrown for 1,089 yards on 87-of-158 passing with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. As a team, their 217.3 passing yards per game rank third in the GAC.
On the ground, the Wonder Boys have had 10 different ball carriers against this season. Deuce Wise has shouldered the largest load with 90 carries and leads the team in net yards with 441. Luke Gall is next on the team in rushing yards with 326. He also leads in rushing touchdowns with four. Myles West has come on as of late in the backfield and is up over 150 yards and has two touchdowns.
Jordan Edington, who handles most of the short-yardage downs, has recorded three rushing touchdowns. The Wonder Boys' 130.1 rushing yards per game ranks eighth in the GAC.
In terms of receiving, Tech has had pass completions to 12 different targets. Joyrion Chase leads the team in receptions with 31, yards at 391 and has one receiving TD. Caleb Tanis is next with 388 yard on 26 receptions and is tied for the team-lead in touchdowns with two. Tight End Dayton Keller and wideouts Jordan Jackson and Jared Long are tied with Tanis for the lead in receiving touchdowns with two.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively through seven games, the Wonder Boys allow an average of 280.0 yards of total offense per game by their opponents and 25.1 points per game. The total defense ranks third in the GAC, while their scoring defense is fifth.
Individually, Tech has six players that registered at least 25 tackles overall are led by Jyrin Steward and his 54 stops. Steward also lead the team in tackles for loss with 14.5 and has 2.0 sacks. Israel Whitmore is currently the team leader in sacks with 3.5.
In terms of takeaways, the Wonder Boys have recovered three fumbles and come away with seven interceptions. Three of the picks have been hauled in by CJ Palmer. The Wonder Boys also have two pick-six interceptions this season with Diego Sanchez having a 62-yard one against Northwestern Oklahoma and Steward a 15-yard one against Southwestern Oklahoma. The fumble recoveries have been secured by Jordan Thompson, Tyler Mosley and Whitmore.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Christopher Baldazo has assumed the placekicking duties for the Wonder Boys and in seven games he is 11-for-12 in field goals with a long of 48 yards against Arkansas-Monticello. He is also 12-of-14 in extra point kicks.
In the punting game, Logan Tymeson has been called upon to punt 30 times this season and is averaging 41.2 yards per punt.
In the return game, Tyrique Jones leads the team in kickoff return yards with 90 yards on three returns. His long is 40 yards. On punts, he has returned three for 22 yards with a long of 16.
Coach SHIPP
Kyle Shipp is in his sixth season as head football coach at Arkansas Tech and is in his fifth season of competition after the 2020 season was not played due to COVID-19. After a 3-8 season in his first year on the sidelines of his alma mater in 2019, Shipp would improve his team's win output each of the next two seasons with four wins in 2021 and five wins in 2022. This past season, Shipp matched that win total of five. Overall, Shipp carries a 21-30 record.
KNOW YO FOE
LAST GAME
The Ouachita Baptist football team is coming off a major 17-13 win in their heavyweight clash with Harding at home this past weekend. Both teams entered that game undefeated and were ranked in the top-10 in DII with Harding being No. 1 and Ouachita No. 9. In that game, the Tigers were able to do what no one had been able to do for the past 25 games and that was stiffle the Harding offense. Entering the game, Harding was averaging over 60 points per game and over 450 rushing yards a game. By the end, Ouachita held Harding to just 13 points and 218 yards on the ground.
THE COACH
The Tigers are coached by the longest-tenured head coach in the GAC in Todd Knight as Knight enters into his 26th season as head coach at Ouachita and his 32nd overall. At Ouachita, Knight has amassed a 159-101 record and since the formation of the GAC in 2011, Knight's Tigers have been a dominant force in the league sporting an impressive 112-29 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 39.7 ppg and fourth in total offense with an average of 364.7 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 187.6 yards per game.
The leading rusher thus far has been quarterback Eli Livingston with 439 yards gained on 68 carries with four touchdowns. The Tigers' primary running back Kendel Givens is next in rushing with 433 yards on 107 carries and has a team-leading eight rushing TDs.
Under center, for the Tigers is the aforementioned Eli Livingston. Through seven games, Livingston has completed 56 of 93 attempts for 885 yards and nine touchdowns. He has thrown three interceptions this season.
The leading pass catcher is Connor Flannigan. Flannigan has 296 yards receiving on 26 receptions and has scored two touchdowns. Carter McElhany leads the team in TD receptions with three.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively, the Tigers base out of the 4-3 scheme and currently rank second in scoring defense allowing just 8.7 ppg. Their total defense is the second-ranked unit in the GAC as they are currently only allowing 243.1 ypg of total offense by their opponents.
Collectively, the Tigers have forced 10 turnovers with five interceptions and five fumble recoveries.
Individually, the Tigers have a two tacklers with at least 40 stops and are led by Jax Miller and his 50 tackles. Mikey Gonzalez is the team leader in tackles for loss with 10.5 and sacks with 6.0.
THE SERIES
This will be the 88th 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 Russellville. Overall, Tech holds a 44-36-7 advantage in the all-time series and has a 21-15-4 lead in games played in Russellville. Since transitioning to NCAA Division II, the Wonder Boys and Tigers have met 22 times previously and in that time, the series is tied 11-11.
