Henderson State University’s Jaquan Cole carried 27 times for 245 yards and a touchdown to lead the Reddies to a 17-7 Great American Conference win over Arkansas Tech University at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium in Arkadelphia on Saturday.
The Wonder Boys (4-1) remain tied for first place in the conference standings. The only other unbeaten GAC team entering Saturday, nationally 12th-ranked Harding University, suffered a 26-21 loss at Ouachita Baptist University.
Cole started early, running 65 yards on the first play from scrimmage. It set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Ryan McDonald and the Reddies (4-1) led 7-0 with 13:55 to play in the first quarter.
Houston Ray increased the HSU edge to 10-0 on a 35-yard field goal with 12:46 left in the third quarter, and Cole closed out the Reddies’ scoring with an 88-yard touchdown run at the 2:03 mark of the third quarter.
Arkansas Tech avoided the shutout thanks to a 3-yard touchdown pass from Arsenio Favor to Michael Fine with 1:06 remaining in the fourth quarter.
It was a day of missed opportunities for the Wonder Boys. Two missed field goals and an interception in the end zone turned away three scoring threats.
Favor completed 19-of-39 passes for 159 yards. He rushed 11 times for 88 yards.
Logan Genz led the Tech defense with nine tackles.
The Wonder Boys will host Ouachita Baptist University for their Homecoming 2015 game on Saturday, Oct. 10. Kickoff at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field is scheduled for 3 p.m. Party at the Plaza, the pre-game tailgating celebration outside the stadium on Centennial Plaza, will begin at noon.
