When Southeastern Oklahoma State University made a mistake on Saturday, Arkansas Tech University was ready to pounce.
The Wonder Boys scored 21 points off turnovers and cruised to a 38-20 Great American Conference win over the Savage Storm at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville.
It was the third consecutive win for Arkansas Tech (3-6).
The game turned permanently in the Wonder Boys’ favor when Donald Joshua recovered a Southeastern fumble in the end zone for a touchdown with 19 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
That play allowed ATU to take a 17-7 lead to halftime. A fumbled punt return by the Savage Storm early in the third quarter gave the Wonder Boys a short field and Carter Burcham took advantage, throwing a 10-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Batie with 10:35 left in the period.
Burcham added a 72-yard touchdown pass to Wallace Foote at the 3:54 mark of the third quarter, putting ATU in firm control of the contest with a 31-7 lead.
Tanner Gaines’ 4-yard touchdown run with 14:52 left in the fourth quarter extended the Wonder Boys’ advantage to 38-7.
Southeastern’s Felton Hatcher caught two touchdown passes over the final 12:30 to set the final score.
Burcham completed 13-of-23 passes for 289 yards. Batie rushed nine times for 103 yards.
ATU’s defense recorded 12 tackles for a loss and seven quarterback sacks. Tyrus Fort made nine tackles for the Wonder Boys. D’Idric Dugan added six tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, a quarterback sack, an interception and a forced fumble.
Southeastern Oklahoma State (1-8) suffered its seventh consecutive loss.
The Wonder Boys will play their final road game of the season on Saturday, Nov. 9, when they visit East Central University for a 3 p.m. GAC contest at Norris Field in Ada, Okla. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.
