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.