WEATHERFORD, Okla. – The
Roy Thompson era of Wonder Boys football got off to a great start on Thursday night as Arkansas Tech beat Southwestern Oklahoma, 32-10, on the road in Weatherford.
With an accolade-filled resume as a defensive coordinator prior to coming to Tech, Thompson's debut as head coach featured a stout defensive effort that was key to securing the win. On the defensive end, the Wonder Boys held SWOSU under 250 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers with a pair of interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries.
All four of those takeaways occurred in pivotal moments during the second half with three coming in the fourth quarter. The first of those fourth quarter takeaways was the turning point of the game and was a forced fumble by
Trey Howard and subsequent recovery by
Israel Whitmore.
Following Whitmore's nine-yard return down to the SWOSU 14-yardline, the Wonder Boys needed just two plays from scrimmage to score a touchdown that put them up by two scores, 24-10. The scoring play was a 13-yard scramble by quarterback
Jack Dawson.
In his debut, the Fort Hays State transfer accounted for three touchdowns with two in the air and the one on the ground. He also threw for 162 yards and ran for 22.
The Bulldogs would respond quickly on their ensuing possession and after settling for a touchback on the kick-off, SWOSU was immediately in Wonder Boys' territory thanks to a 33-yard run. Two plays later, the Bulldogs were inside the Tech 10-yardline on another big run, this time a 27-yard jaunt down to the Tech 9-yardline.
With their backs against their own endzone, the Wonder Boys' defense dug their heels in and got it to fourth down and two from the Tech 2-yardline. Looking to make it a one-score game again, the Bulldogs went for it and tried some misdirection, but that play was snuffed out by
Jonah Brown as he stopped the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage to force a turnover on downs.
The Wonder Boys were forced to punt on the following possession, but for the fourth time, were able to drop a punt inside the SWOSU 20-yardline and forcing the Bulldogs to start a drive from their 11-yardline. Two plays later,
Julien Lopez intercepted the ball at the SWOSU 20-yardline and carried it down to the 1-yardline.
Two plays later, backup quarterback
Dominic Feliciano punched it in for the final touchdown of the game. The Wonder Boys would use some trickeration on the extra point and converted a two-point try to push the score to its final of 32-10.
On SWOSU's final possession of the game, Lopez ended that drive as well with his second INT of the game. The Wonder Boys would then be able to drain the remaining 4:24 off the clock to secure the win.
Tech will now prepare for their first home game of the season this coming Thursday, September 11 against Northwestern Oklahoma. Kick-off from Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. with Party at the Plaza Tailgate beginning at 4 p.m.
