Providing their seniors with a positive final memory of competing at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field has been the focus for the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys this week.
“I think it’s very important for those 20 seniors to leave that field as winners after their last home game because that’s what they’re going to remember for the rest of their lives,” said Raymond Monica, ATU head coach. “It’s something we’ve talked about all week, and we’ll continue to talk about it up until kickoff. Our goal every week is to win, but I think in your last home game, for your seniors, it’s a little bit more important.”
Arkansas Tech University (3-6) will host East Central University (2-7) for a 2 p.m. Great American Conference contest on Saturday, Nov. 3. Party at the Plaza, the pre-game tailgating celebration outside the stadium on Centennial Plaza, will begin at noon. It will be Military Appreciation Day and Band Member for a Day at ATU.
Game tickets ($10 adults, $5 students/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.
The Wonder Boys stopped a four-game losing streak with a 10-6 win at Southeastern Oklahoma State University last Saturday. Winning the field position battle was one of the key factors in the victory.
“Seven of (Southeastern Oklahoma State’s) possessions, they were backed up deep in their own territory,” said Monica. “We were able to bend, but not break, and we played very well defensively. We didn’t turn the ball over, and we won the penalty battle.”
ATU senior running back Bryan Allen moved to No. 2 on the Wonder Boys’ all-time career rushing list last week. He now has 3,419 career rushing yards, and he would need 185 yards during the final two weeks of the season in order to surpass the school record held by Larry Brown (3,603 yards, 1968-71).
East Central has lost four consecutive games. The Tigers were outscored 97-16 the last two weeks in match-ups against nationally-ranked foes Southern Arkansas University and Harding University.
Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage of the ATU-ECU game.
The only remaining contest on the Wonder Boys’ 2018 schedule after Saturday will be a Nov. 10 game against Harding University in Searcy.
