www.arkansastechsports.com will have live coverage. The game is part of a Saturday slate in Arkadelphia that will help determine the course of the 2015 GAC title chase. Nationally 12th-ranked Harding University (4-0) and nationally 24th-ranked Ouachita Baptist University (3-1) will meet across the street at Cliff Harris Stadium for an 11 a.m. kickoff. Arkansas Tech and Harding enter the weekend tied for first place in the conference standings, but in order to stay there they will have to take down the only two programs that own a GAC football title. Ouachita Baptist has the trophies from 2011 and 2014, while Henderson State won the conference championship in 2012 and 2013. “We talk about trying to be 1-0 each and every week,” said Arkansas Tech head coach Raymond Monica. “Our guys understand the magnitude of this game. It’s been a little while since we’ve played in such a big game around here. As you watch a team prepare and grow, this is another chapter in seeing how we develop as a football team and how we handle it. So far, this group has handled everything the right way.” The key match-up in the Arkansas Tech-Henderson State game might be the Wonder Boys’ rushing offense against the Reddies’ rushing defense. Tech enters the weekend averaging 300.3 rushing yards per game, third-most in NCAA Division II. HSU ranks 10th in NCAA Division II against the run, limiting its opponents to 74 rushing yards per game. Opponents have often suffered an even worse fate when trying to throw the football against the Reddies. Henderson State leads NCAA Division II with 12 passes intercepted. The Reddies employ a base defense that features three down linemen and four linebackers. “It’s a different look than what you see every week,” said Monica. “They’re big up front and very athletic on the back end. We know it’s going to be a challenge.” That defense has allowed the Reddies to win three of their first four games while their offense adjusts to life after record-setting quarterback Kevin Rodgers, who completed his eligibility in 2014. Rodgers passed for 13,678 yards and 124 touchdowns while completing 66.5 percent of his passes and posting a 34-5 career record as Henderson State’s starting quarterback. He was a three-time finalist for the NCAA Division II national player of the year award, the Harlon Hill Trophy. This season, the Reddies rank ninth in the GAC and 107th in NCAA Division II in total offense (348.3 yards per game). Arkansas Tech will counter with a defense that leads the GAC in scoring defense (14.8 points allowed per game) and total defense (264.8 yards allowed per game). A week ago, the Wonder Boys held Southern Arkansas University 140 yards below its season average for total offense during a 44-21 Arkansas Tech victory over the Muleriders. “I thought the pressure we put on the quarterback (Barrett Renner) was outstanding,” said Monica. “He moved around in the pocket an awful lot. He hurt us with his ability to run the football, but it was better than him just sitting back there throwing the football down the field. We played a decent among of man coverage, and I thought the defensive backs did a good job.” The Wonder Boys lead their all-time series with Henderson State 43-40-4, but the Reddies have won each of the last four meetings and five of the last six. Tech’s most recent victory over HSU was a 44-14 win at Arkadelphia on Oct. 24, 2009.]]>
