KICKING OFF
The Arkansas Tech football team hits the road this week and will head towards the panhandle of Oklahoma to take on Northwestern Oklahoma in search of snapping a two-game losing skid.
Despite being played on the first Saturday in October, the forecasted temperature for the day is expected to be in the mid 90s in Alva. Other weather variables might play a factor as well with predicted winds of 15-25 MPH from the SSW as well as the possibility of higher wind gusts.
Kick-off for the game is scheduled for 6 p.m.
TECH(NICALLY) SPEAKING
LAST GAME
The Wonder Boys are coming off a tough loss on the road at No. 20/17-ranked Henderson State this past Saturday. In that game, the Wonder Boys more than rose to the challenge of playing a highly-potent Reddies offense on the road as Tech held Henderson to just 230 yards of total offense with only 79 of those coming through the air. Coming into the game, the Reddies were averaging 533.5 yards of total offense with 333.5 of those yards coming in the passing attack.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively after four games, the Wonder Boys are averaging 22.3 points per game and 363.0 yards of total offense. Their ppg average ranks seventh in the GAC, while their total offense ranks third.
In the passing game, the Wonder Boys used a trio of quarterbacks with Ethan Forrester getting the start against Oklahoma Baptist in the season-opener and Ethan Everson starting the next two games before Hunter Loyd received the nod most-recently against Southern Arkansas. 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. Overall, Everson has played in all four games and has thrown for 649 yards on 48-of-80 passing with four touchdowns and two interceptions.
On the ground, the Wonder Boys have had 10 different ball carriers against this season. Deuce Wise has shouldered the largest load with 55 carries and leads the team in net yards with 194. Luke Gall is next with 182 yards rushing on 41 carries with a team-high two touchdowns. Jordan Edington, who handles most of the short-yardage downs, has recorded one of the other two rushing touchdowns with Myles West accounting the other.
In terms of receiving, Tech has had pass completions to 12 different targets. Caleb Tanis leads the team in receptions with 22, yards at 351 and touchdowns with two. Joyrion Chase has gone over 200 yards receiving through four games and has a touchdown.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively through four games, the Wonder Boys allow an average of 278.3 yards of total offense per game by their opponents and 28.0 points per game. The total defense ranks eighth in the GAC, while their scoring defense is third.
Individually, Tech has eight players that registered at least 15 tackles overall are led by Jyrin Steward and his 38 stops. Steward also lead the team in tackles for loss with 14.0 and has 2.0 sacks. Israel Whitmore is currently the team leader in sacks with 2.5.
In terms of takeaways, the Wonder Boys have recovered a fumble and come away with four interceptions. Three of the 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 three games he is 6-for-7 in field goals with a long of 47 yards against Oklahoma Baptist. He is also 3-of-5 in extra point kicks.
In the punting game, Logan Tymeson has been called upon to punt 20 times this season and is averaging 40.4 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 an 19-29 record.
KNOW YO FOE
LAST GAME
The Northwestern Oklahoma Rangers enter the game against Tech having lost their most-recent game at home to Southeastern Oklahoma, 27-21. In that game, Southeastern jumped out to a 20-0 lead and led 20-7 heading into the fourth quarter. The Rangers would score a pair of touchdowns in the final period. Those bookended Southeastern's final touchdown to bring the game to a one-possession margin.
THE COACH
The Rangers are coached by Ronnie Jones, who is in his second year as the head coach at his alma mater, Northwestern Oklahoma. A long-time coach, Jones had four prior seasons of head coaching experience prior to coming back to NWOSU and was 11-31 in that time. Overall, Jones is 13-44.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively, the Rangers feature a spread offensive attack. Through four games this year, NWOSU has the 11th-ranked scoring offense in the GAC at 11.0 ppg and the 11th-ranked total offense with an average of 198.8 ypg. Through the air, the Rangers are averaging 140.5 ypg to rank 9th in the GAC. On the ground, NWOSU is averaging 58.3 ypg to rank 12th in the GAC.
The leading rusher thus far has been Darien Gill with 126 yards gained. The lone rushing score has been by Giorgio Spiropoulos.
In the passing game, the Rangers have used two different quarterbacks with Brodey Jonhson and Beck Moss sharing duties. Both have attempted over 40 passes. Johnson has the most attempts with 54. He also has the most passing yards with 374 on 34 completions. Johnson has three of the team's four passing touchdowns and has one interception.
The leading receiver for NWOSU is Jahmiq Johnson with 114 yards on six receptions. Chase Davidson and Mark Zamora are tied for the team-lead in receptions with 12. Kyle Royal leads the corp. in touchdown receptions with two.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively, the Rangers base out of the 4-3 scheme and currently rank 10th in scoring defense, allowing 31.0 ppg. Their total defense ranks ninth in the GAC allowing 356.5 ypg of total offense by their opponents. Through the air, NWOSU ranks 11th in the GAC with 214.8 average ypg allowed. On the ground, the Rangers allow an average of 141.8 ypg and rank sixth in the GAC.
Individually, Northwestern Oklahoma has seven players with double-digit or more and are led in stops by Coby Tillman with 48. Tillman also leads the team in tackles for loss with 11.0 and is second in sacks with 1.5. The Rangers defense has forced 10 turnovers with six INTs and four fumble recoveries.
THE SERIES
This will be the 21st meeting all-time between Arkansas Tech and Northwestern Oklahoma in a series that dates back to 1956. After that initial meeting in Russellville, the two NAIA schools didn't play until 1987, and then played eight-straight years until Tech moved to the NCAA. In 2012, NWOSU joined Tech in the GAC and became conference opponents. In that time span, Tech leads the series 10-1 Overall, Tech leads the series 16-4.
