PHOTO | Tara Espinoza
The Wonder Boys jumped back into the win column on Saturday, taking care of Southern Nazarene 48-35.
Redshirt senior quarterback Jack Grissom made his first career start. Still, 4 players ended up taking snaps at the quarterback position, with Grissom being the only one to record a pass attempt.
Grissom was 15-22 for 184 yards, a new career high after passing for 70 yards against Oklahoma Baptist on September 17.
The run game was alive and well on Saturday, led by Devontae Dean, who had 165 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries.
Six other players recorded a carry in the game, and all seven combined for 282 rushing yards, the most in a game since 2017 when they recorded 286 rushing yards in a 35-31 loss to Ouachita Baptist.
On the defensive side of the ball, Tech held Southern Nazarene quarterback Gage Porter in check, giving up just 75 passing yards.
However, the rushing yards jump off of the page. Porter had 219 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, including 59 and 78-yard touchdown runs.
The defense did take over in crunch time. With eight minutes to go in the game, Tech led 41-35. SNU quarterback Gage Porter intended to pitch the ball to wide receiver Donald May.
However, Tech defensive end De’Veyon Smith stepped in, picked the ball as it was being pitched, and took it 25 yards for the touchdown that would seal the win. It was Smith’s first fumble recovery and defensive touchdown of his career.
This was Tech’s second win and home win of the season, tying their home win total from last season, just five games into their 2022 campaign.
This Saturday, Arkansas Tech travels to Shawnee, Oklahoma, to face the 1-4 Oklahoma Baptist Bison. The Bison’s only win of the season came at Northwestern Oklahoma, defeating the Rangers 31-23.
