The final scrimmage before the start of a football season is intended to identify any remaining flaws that must be polished before the season opener.
In that regard, Arkansas Tech’s two-quarter scrimmage at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field on Wednesday night would have to be considered a rousing success.
“By the time you go through a big scrimmage like we had last Saturday and a game-like situation like we had tonight, at the end of everything as a coach you want to feel settled,” said head coach Steve Mullins after the scrimmage. “You want to feel like you got most of your questions answered. I’d say we are more 50-50. We had some questions answered tonight and we didn’t have any surprises, but we did have some more questions open up.
“We’ve got to work to correct those,” continued Mullins. “This is why you have a dress rehearsal — so that you can make those mistakes and hopefully get some of the nervousness out.”
The Green team, comprised of most of the Wonder Boys’ projected starters, won the scrimmage 16-6.
The scrimmage was highlighted by the play of the Green defense, which held the Gold offense to 52 yards of total offense and two first downs.
The Gold team jumped out to a 6-0 lead when Tavin Davis returned a punt 59 yards for a touchdown early in the first period, but the Green side quickly tied it at 6-6 on a 59-yard touchdown pass from James Landry to Roger Jackson.
The score remained knotted until Robert Sagerian threw a 38-yard touchdown strike to Colton Billups with 6:17 left in the second period. Matt Bahsoon added the extra point and the Green team led 13-6.
Mullins said he saw positives from both Sagerian and Landry.
“As we speak today, I’m sure we’ll play two different quarterbacks (in the season opener),” said Mullins.
The final points of the night were scored by Cody Jones. His 38-yard field goal with 55 seconds remaining set the final score.
Arkansas Tech now has one week to prepare for its season opener, which is set for Thursday, Sept. 2. The Wonder Boys will host Lambuth University (Tenn.) for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field.
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