One gifted running back after another has been the focal point of the Ouachita Baptist University offense throughout the Tigers’ run of seven Great American Conference football championships since 2011.
That changed when Tre Nichols took over as the Ouachita Baptist starting quarterback midway through the 2025 season.
“Tre is an elite runner,” said Roy Thompson, Arkansas Tech University head football coach. “He’s very elusive as a quarterback. Ouachita used to be a ground and pound team, but now they are totally different. They are spread out, and they are looking to create an explosive play on every play of the game.”
The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (2-0) will host the Ouachita Baptist Tigers (1-1) for a 6 p.m. GAC game at Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium in Russellville on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Tickets are available at www.arkansastechsports.com/tickets.
A sophomore from Grand Prairie, Texas, Nichols made All-GAC third team in 2025 despite only starting five games for Ouachita. He had three 100-yard rushing games as a freshman and passed for more than 1,100 yards.
“Tre’s going to make some plays because he’s a playmaker, but we have to limit his opportunities to create explosive plays,” said Thompson.
Arkansas Tech’s offense scored on six of its first seven possessions and amassed 489 yards of total offense in a 34-29 win at Northwestern Oklahoma State University last week. The offensive output included 333 rushing yards, most by an ATU offense in a single game since Nov. 5, 2022.
“Our offensive line and backs did a really good job all night long, and even our quarterback had some big runs,” said Thompson. “Being able to move people up front at the point of attack was huge in that game.”
The Wonder Boys’ efficiency on offense is exemplified by quarterback Carter Hensley, who leads the GAC in completion percentage this season at 82 percent, and a rushing attack that is averaging 5 yards per carry.
Arkansas Tech’s defense came up with stops at the end of both of the Wonder Boys’ first two games to preserve victories, but ATU is allowing 289.5 passing yards per game, most in the GAC.
“It’s eye discipline from those guys in the secondary,” said Thompson. “We have plenty of talent back there, so it’s not a talent problem. This week in practice those guys have made those corrections, and I believe that this week they will execute at a high level.”
Live coverage of the ATU-OBU game will be available 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.
