Wonder Boys, Boll Weevils Clash on Saturday

Slowing down the University of Arkansas-Monticello’s pass rush might be the most important key to victory for Arkansas Tech University on Saturday, Oct. 6.

The ATU Wonder Boys (2-3) and the UAM Boll Weevils (1-4) will stage their 75th all-time football meeting beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville.

Party at the Plaza, the pre-game tailgating celebration outside the stadium on Centennial Plaza, will begin at 4 p.m. Game tickets ($10 adults/$5 students and senior citizens) will be available at the stadium ticket office during Party at the Plaza.

Those with a valid ATU identification card will be admitted free of charge.

UA-Monticello has recorded 12 quarterback sacks through the first four weeks of the 2018 Great American Conference season, tied for most in the league.

“(UAM’s) defensive line is very good,” said Raymond Monica, ATU head coach. “They have some very good players up front. I’m looking forward to seeing how our offensive line is going to handle their defensive line.”

The Boll Weevils will arrive in Russellville on a three-game losing streak. Their most recent setback was a 47-21 home defeat against nationally-ranked Harding University last Saturday.

The Wonder Boys’ two-game winning streak came to an end that same afternoon when Ouachita Baptist defeated ATU 24-7 in Arkadelphia. Two fourth-quarter interceptions by the OBU defense made the difference in the game.

“I thought we played extremely hard and competed all the way to the end,” said Monica. “We had the momentum in the fourth quarter twice, but the turnovers hurt us very badly. We had our chances. I thought it was an evenly-matched football game, and they had a great environment there. I just hate that we came away with the loss.”

Arkansas Tech’s individual leaders through four weeks of the season include redshirt freshman quarterback Carter Burcham of Greenbrier (72-of-152 passing, 996 yards, five touchdowns), senior running back Bryan Allen of Forrest City (85 carries, 433 yards, one touchdown), senior wide receiver Terrez Hampton of Warren (28 receptions, 450 yards, one touchdown) and senior linebacker KJ Reid of Texarkana (64 tackles).

Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage of the ATU-UAM game.