From the time he was introduced as head football coach at Arkansas Tech University in December 2024, Roy Thompson has preached that the Wonder Boys must be physical and play with an edge in order to compete with the best the Great American Conference has to offer.
After 27 knockdown blocks by the Arkansas Tech offensive line and a similar display of toughness by the ATU defensive line in a 28-23 win at Ouachita Baptist University on Saturday, Thompson sees a team that is making progress toward meeting that standard.
“That speaks very highly to how those dudes came out there and were really prepared for a physical ballgame,” said Thompson. “They played the game the way we had to play it on that night to get a tough win.”
The Wonder Boys (3-0) will look to continue their best start to a season in eight years when they host the University of Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils (0-3) for a 6 p.m. Family Day contest at Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium in Russellville on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Game tickets are available at www.arkansastechsports.com/tickets. Party at the Plaza tailgating will begin outside the stadium on Centennial Plaza at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Forcing turnovers on defense and running the football on offense have been important aspects of Arkansas Tech’s winning formula through three weeks.
The Wonder Boys have intercepted six passes, which makes them one of just nine NCAA Division II teams averaging two or more interceptions per game.
ATU’s pass defense will be tested on Saturday by a UAM team that ranks third in the GAC in passing offense at 218 yards per game.
“We talk to the team all the time about what you do every day is what matters,” said Thompson when asked about his team’s pass defense. “Making sure our eyes are right…that we play with good fundamentals…that we play with good body demeanor…most of the time, it’s not about the other team. It’s about what you do in practice every day. Coach (Frank) Espy does a really good job of holding those guys accountable to do things the right way every day. If you do that, when the game comes and you face an offense like UAM, you’re prepared for it.”
Arkansas Tech running back Bryson Roland had his first career 100-yard rushing game in the win at Ouachita Baptist. He is averaging 93.7 rushing yards per game, fourth-most among all NCAA Division II freshmen this season.
“Bryson is quick, he’s fast and he’s explosive,” said Thompson. “He has great vision. He’s patient as a runner, and that’s why he’s had success. When you’re recruiting a kid, you hope the things you see on film show up when you get them here. For Bryson, it really has. We need Bryson to have another big game (against UAM).”
Live coverage of the Tech-UAM game will be provided by KCJC 102.3 FM, the EAB Media Group app and www.arkansastechsports.com.
Talk to you on the radio.
Tech Tidbits is a column written by Sam Strasner, ATU director of university relations and radio play-by-play voice for ATU football and basketball.
