An historic rushing effort by a freshman and stingy rushing defense propelled Arkansas Tech University to a 30-12 victory over nationally 20th-ranked Ouachita Baptist University at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville on Saturday.
Tech’s Bryan Allen carried 29 times for 279 yards. It was the second-highest single-game rushing total by an individual in Arkansas Tech football history. The only higher single-game rushing total by a Wonder Boy was compiled by Travis Horn when he carried for 288 yards in a win over the University of Central Arkansas in 2001.
Arkansas Tech (5-1) limited Ouachita Baptist to 71 rushing yards on Saturday. The Tigers (4-2) entered the contest averaging 274.4 rushing yards per game, eighth-most in NCAA Division II.
The victory, which came before a Homecoming crowd of 6,976 fans, allows the Wonder Boys to maintain a share of first place in the Great American Conference standings with five weeks remaining in the regular season.
It was Tech’s first win over OBU since 2007, and the Wonder Boys’ first victory over a ranked opponent since defeating UNC Pembroke in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Division II Playoffs.
Allen opened the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run at the 6:32 mark of the first quarter. Eric Perez connected on field goals of 32, 37 and 41 yards to help Arkansas Tech build a 16-3 halftime lead.
Ouachita’s Cole Antley made a 20-yard field goal with 4:40 left in the second quarter and a 40-yard field goal with 1:13 remaining in the third quarter to reduce the Wonder Boys’ edge to 16-6.
The final 15 minutes belonged to Arkansas Tech, beginning with a 9-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jaquirous Jackson with 14:18 left. A 20-yard touchdown run by Tech quarterback Arsenio Favor at the 7:44 mark sealed it for the Wonder Boys.
The Tigers completed the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown pass form Austin Warford to Ke’Vontae Pope with 4:25 remaining.
Arkansas Tech will face East Central University for a 2 p.m. GAC contest in Ada, Okla., on Saturday, Oct. 17. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will have live play-by-play coverage.
