Nationally 10th-ranked Valdosta State converted two fourth-quarter turnovers by Arkansas Tech into 15 points as the Blazers came from behind to defeat the Wonder Boys 21-7 at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville on Saturday.
Valdosta State (7-1 overall, 5-1 Gulf South Conference) trailed 7-6 after three quarters, but a muffed punt return by Arkansas Tech early in the fourth quarter gave the Blazers the opening they needed.
VSU took over at the Tech 9-yard line following the fumbled punt return, and on the next play David Arnold ran into the end zone to give the Blazers a 12-7 lead. Ronnye Nelson’s 2-point conversion run made it 14-7 with 10:19 to go.
Arkansas Tech’s fate was sealed at the 1:37 mark when Valdosta State’s Stevie Harden intercepted a pass and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. It was Harden’s third interception return for a touchdown this season.
The Wonder Boys (3-6, 2-5) accumulated just 181 yards of total offense. Ryan Smith had 11 tackles for the Blazers.
Derandus Frye and Antonio Charles had nine tackles apiece for an Arkansas Tech defense that held VSU to 259 total yards and forced the Blazers into five turnovers.
The Wonder Boys will visit Harding University on Saturday, Nov. 6. Kickoff at First Security Stadium in Searcy is scheduled for 2 p.m.
]]>
