KICKING OFF
With wins in each of their first two games of the season, the Arkansas Tech football team is set to hit the road in search of a third-consecutive win, but are in for a big early test against nationally-ranked Henderson State. The Wonder Boys will also be looking to snap a five-game losing streak to the Reddies and their first win in Arkadelphia since 2017.
TECH(NICALLY) SPEAKING
LAST GAME
The start was a bit slow, but by the time it was all said and done, the Arkansas Tech football team handled Southern Nazarene, 26-6, to move to 2-0 for the first time since 2017. Against SNU, the Wonder Boys were stymied on the ground, but excelled through the air as they passed for 344 yards and three touchdowns.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively after two games, the Wonder Boys are averaging 35.0 points per game and 418.5 yards of total offense. Their ppg average ranks fourth in the GAC, while their total offense ranks fourth as well.
In the passing game, the Wonder Boys used a pair of quarterbacks with Ethan Forrester getting the start against Oklahoma Baptist and Ethan Everson starting against Southern Nazarene following an injury to Forrester. In his game played against Oklahoma Baptist, Forrester was 15-of-18 passing for 197 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 78 yards of rushing on eight carries. After getting a little bit of action in the Oklahoma Baptist game, Everson had a great showing against Southern Nazarene throwing for three touchdowns and 344 yards on would go 23-of-33 passing.
On the ground, the Wonder Boys have had eight different ball carriers against this season. Deuce Wise has shouldered the largest load with 36 carries and leads the team in net yards with 121. Luke Gall is next with 108 yards rushing on 18 carries with a team-high two touchdowns. Jordan Edington, who handles most of the short-yardage downs, has recorded the other rushing touchdown.
In terms of receiving, Tech has had pass completions to eight different targets. Joyrion Chase led the team in receptions with 12 catches and is second on the team in yards with 174 yards. Caleb Tanis, who is second in receptions with 10, leads the team in yards and touchdowns with 224 yards two receiving touchdowns. Chase, Dayton Keller, and Jared Long had the other receiving touchdowns.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively through two games, the Wonder Boys allow an average of 258.0 yards of total offense per game by their opponents and 23.5 points per game. The total defense ranks fourth in the GAC, while their scoring defense is also fourth.
Individually, Tech had three players that registered double-digit tackles overall are led by Jyrin Steward and his 16 stops. Steward also lead the team in tackles for loss with 8.5 and has 1.0 sacks. Israel Whitmore is currently the team leader in sacks with 2.0.
In terms of takeaways, the Wonder Boys have recovered a fumble and come away with three interceptions. All three picks have been hauled in by CJ Palmer while the fumble recovery was secured by Jordan Thompson.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Christopher Baldazo has assumed the placekicking duties for the Wonder Boys and in two games he is 4-for-4 in field goals with a long of 47 yards against Oklahoma Baptist. He is also 2-of-3 in extra point kicks.
In the punting game, Logan Tymeson has been called upon to punt nine times this season and is averaging 39.9 yards per punt.
In the return game, Tyrique Jones leads the team in kickoff return yards with 63 yards on two 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 an 19-27 record.
KNOW YO FOE
LAST GAME
The No. 20/17 ranked Henderson State Reddies come into Saturday's game with a 2-0 record after they pulled away in the fourth quarter at home last week against Southeastern Oklahoma. In that game, the Reddies trailed early as the opening kickoff was returned for a touchdown by Southeastern, but later in the first, Henderson took the lead and led by as many as 10 before holding a three-point lead through three quarters. The Reddies then out-scored Southeastern 14-0 in the fourth quarter to win 34-17.
THE COACH
The Reddies are coached by Greg Holsworth, who is in his first year as the head coach at Henderson State after taking over the reigns from legendary head coach Scott Maxfield, who was the Reddies' head coach for the past 18 years. Holsworth is no stranger to the Reddie Football program, however, as he joined the staff in 2017. Prior to ascending to head coach, Holsworth was the Reddies' defensive coordinator.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively, the Reddies feature a spread offensive attack. Through their first two games of year, HSU ranks third in scoring offense in the GAC at 37.5 ppg and has the second-ranked total offense with an average of 533.5 ypg. Through the air, the Reddies are averaging 333.5 ypg to rank first in the GAC. On the ground, HSU is averaging 200.0 ypg to rank third in the GAC.
The leading rusher thus far has been Fredrick O'Donald with 162 yards gained on 19 carries. O'Donald also leads the team in rushing TDs with three. The second-leading rusher has been Jeremiah Davis. He has 136 yards rushing on 30 carries and two touchdowns.
In the passing game, the Reddies have only called upon Andrew Edwards. In two games, Edwards is completing 72% of his passes (48-of-67) and has thrown for 667 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Reddies have three receivers with at least 100 yards receiving and are led by Timieone Jackson. He has 163 yards receiving on 16 receptions. Four other receivers have hauled in the TD passes with Jalen Abraham leading with two.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively, the Reddies base out of the 3-4 multiple scheme and currently rank third in scoring defense, allowing 17.0 ppg. Their total defense ranks third as well in the GAC allowing 219.5 ypg of total offense by their opponents. Through the air, HSU ranks third in the GAC with 120.0 ypg. On the ground, the Reddies allow an average of 99.5 ypg and rank fourth in the GAC.
Individually, Henderson State has two players with double-digit stops with Kolbi Crawford and Gary Lewis each having 11. As a team, the Reddies have forced five turnovers with three INTs and two fumble recoveries.
THE SERIES
This will be the 96th meeting all-time between Arkansas Tech and Henderson State in a series that dates back to 1920. Remarkably, the all-time series has Henderson with a slight 47-44-4. Playing almost annually as conference opponents in the AIC and GSC, Tech and HSU also became charter members of the GAC in 2011. In that time span, HSU leads the series 10-1. Dating back to when both schools made the jump to NCAA DII in 1995, HSU holds a 16-11 lead.
