Each autumn Saturday provides a new opportunity to compete.
Arkansas Tech University will look to seize that opportunity and earn its first victory of the 2019 football season when it hosts Northwestern Oklahoma State University at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Kickoff for Great American Conference action between the Wonder Boys (0-6) and the Rangers (2-4) is scheduled for 2 p.m.
“One of our main points of emphasis in practice this week was do your job,” said Kyle Shipp, ATU head coach. “Last week, we had some guys who tried to do too much and it cost us on a few things. Do your job, do what you are coached to do, play hard, play for your teammate…we are getting better at that, but it’s a weekly process and when you’re playing 12 freshmen sometimes those things happen. Those kids are getting better every week, as are the sophomores and the juniors, and our small senior class is pushing the best they can. Hopefully, this Saturday we’ll put things together and get a win.”
Arkansas Tech is trying to stop an eight-game losing streak that dates back to last season. The Wonder Boys’ last win was a 10-6 victory at Southeastern Oklahoma State University on Oct. 27, 2018. Tech’s last home win was a 24-10 triumph over Southern Nazarene University on Sept. 22, 2018.
Northwestern Oklahoma State will arrive in Russellville stinging from consecutive losses to Henderson State University on Oct. 5 and Southern Arkansas University on Oct. 12. The Reddies and the Muleriders outscored the Rangers by a combined margin of 87-14 in those two contests.
“I think (NWOSU) is going through some of the same stuff we are,” said Shipp. “Too many turnovers and too many mistakes…they have the ability to be a good football team, but just like us, they are making too many mistakes at crucial times and it’s costing them.”
Senior running back Jacob Peyton is the Rangers’ top offensive performer. He has rushed for 2,247 yards in four years at NWOSU. With an additional 300 rushing yards between now and the end of the 2019 season, Peyton would surpass the Rangers’ career rushing record of 2,546 yards that his head coach, Matt Walter, has held for almost two decades.
Northwestern Oklahoma State’s defense leads the GAC in turnovers forced (15) this season. The Rangers also have the most defensive stops inside the red zone (10) among GAC members.
Game tickets ($10 adults/$5 students and senior citizens) will be available at the stadium ticket office on Saturday during Party at the Plaza, the pre-game tailgating celebration on the Crabaugh Hall lawn. Tailgating will begin at noon Saturday.
ATU students, faculty, staff and the immediate family of employees will be admitted to the game free of charge upon the presentation of a valid Arkansas Tech identification card.
Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage of the ATU-NWOSU game.
