Arkansas Tech University’s Roy Thompson experienced a rite of passage on Saturday night that every new head football coach goes through eventually.
He watched on the sideline in the waning seconds of the game as Southeastern Oklahoma State University threw three passes into the end zone — any of which could have given the Savage Storm the win.
All three were incomplete and Arkansas Tech held on for a 14-10 win to improve to 4-1 on the season. It was evidence of why Thompson has confidence in the Wonder Boys’ defense.
“We do 2-minute drill two-to-three times per week in practice,” said Thompson, who is the first Arkansas Tech head football coach since Sam Hindsman in 1954 to begin his tenure with a record of 4-1 or better. “Our defense has been lights out in our 2-minute sessions, so when the game came down to the last two minutes with our defense on the field…we were confident in our guys that they could execute in that moment.”
Arkansas Tech will try to start 5-1 for the first time in a decade when it visits East Central University (3-2) for a 2 p.m. Great American Conference game at Norris Field in Ada, Okla., on Saturday, Oct. 11.
Live coverage of the ATU-ECU game will be provided by KCJC 102.3 FM, the EAB Media Group app and www.arkansastechsports.com.
Special teams are among East Central’s strengths. The Tigers are 6-of-7 on field goals tries, ECU’s Tyler Akers averages almost nine yards per punt return and Tiger punter Reece Conner has averaged 40 yards per punt while delivering nine punts that have been downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
“From watching (ECU) on film, their special teams have created big plays that have created margins in the game,” said Thompson. “Special teams have been a big part of what we do as we try to be a three-phase team. This week is no different, but it’s a bigger challenge because of what ECU presents.”
Other top performers for East Central include junior wide receiver Kaden Jones, who has 14 receptions for 256 yards (an average of 18.3 yards per catch) and junior linebacker Caden Pickens, who ranks third in the GAC in tackles (8.2 per game).
Arkansas Tech will counter with the likes of freshman running back Bryson Roland (83.8 rushing yards per game, third in the GAC), senior quarterback Jack Dawson (eight touchdown passes, tied for second-most in the GAC) and junior linebackers Sam Jackson and Julien Lopez (both averaging 6.8 tackles per game, tied for 11th in the GAC).
“We have to win one-on-ones on both sides of the ball,” said Thompson. “Defensively, (ECU) is going to load the box and try to stop the run. We’re going to need our guys on the perimeter to make some explosive plays. In a nutshell, this game is going to come down to which group can make the most plays in those one-on-one situations.”
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.
