It was a little over 12 months ago when Carter Hensley was thrust into the role of Arkansas Tech University starting quarterback following an injury to Jack Dawson.
Over the course of 15 starts, Hensley has graduated from managing the Wonder Boys’ offense to operating it. The junior from Rogers has built confidence and earned trust such that he is now playing the quarterback position to win rather than playing not to lose.
That progression reached a new height last Saturday when Hensley completed 15-of-15 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns in Arkansas Tech’s 47-3 win at Southern Nazarene University.
Hensley’s 100 percent completion rate established a new Great American Conference record for single-game completion percentage, surpassing the previous record of 95 percent (19-of-20) set by ATU quarterback Taye Gatewood on Sept. 30, 2023.
The 15 completions without a miss are the most in a game by a Wonder Boy quarterback during Arkansas Tech’s NCAA Division II era, which dates back to 1995.
“Carter does a really good job of knowing what (offensive coordinator Kevin Wewers) wants to do,” said Roy Thompson, ATU head football coach. “Carter is an extremely smart kid, and normally smart kids are good football players. He knows where to go with the football, and he makes good decisions.”
Arkansas Tech (4-5) will play its final home game of the 2026 season on Saturday, Nov. 7, when it hosts Oklahoma Baptist University (3-6) for a 2 p.m. Great American Conference contest at Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium in Russellville.
Party at the Plaza tailgating will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday. Game tickets are available at www.arkansastechsports.com/tickets.
The Wonder Boys will go for their third win in their last four games. Arkansas Tech’s recent change in fortunes has been partly attributable to its improvement in turnover margin. The Wonder Boys had a minus-7 turnover margin through their first six games of the season. Over the past three weeks, Arkansas Tech’s turnover margin has been plus-6.
ATU’s Sean Berry, a sophomore safety from Wylie, Texas, has returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown in both of the Wonder Boys’ last two games. This week, he was named GAC defensive player of the week.
“He’s a young player, but he’s very smart and tackles well,” said Thompson when asked about Berry. “He’s what we want Arkansas Tech football to be. He approaches every day with the right attitude.”
Live coverage of the Arkansas Tech-Oklahoma Baptist game will be available beginning at 1:30 p.m. Saturday on KCJC 102.3 FM, www.rivervalleyradio.com/river-country 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.
