Missouri S&T quarterback Josh Firm completed 31-of-38 passes for 308 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Miners to a 27-19 non-conference victory over the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field on Thursday night.
The Miners (2-0) took the lead for good on a 6-yard touchdown run by Scott Hendricks with 13 minutes left in the second quarter. Adam Peden’s extra point gave Missouri S&T a 14-7 lead. The go-ahead score was set up by a Jon Vance blocked punt and Jake Schneider return.
That series of events put the momentum in the Miners’ corner just after a two hour and 15 minute weather delay. The game, which started at 7 p.m., ended just before midnight.
A bad snap by Missouri S&T resulted in a safety with 5:55 left in the fourth quarter and pulled the Wonder Boys within 27-19.
Arkansas Tech (1-1) had three offensive possessions in the final six minutes, but interceptions by Billy Foster, Naeem Forrester and Chris McKay halted those drives and stopped any hopes for an Arkansas Tech comeback.
Smook Thomas led the Missouri S&T receiving corps with 13 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown.
The Miners are 2-0 for the first time since 2005 and the win on Thursday marked their first victory inside the state of Arkansas since 1932. It was Missouri S&T’s first win over the Wonder Boys in six all-time meetings.
Ketrick Harmon rushed 12 times for 65 yards for Arkansas Tech. Quinton Abron made a game-high 13 tackles for the Wonder Boys.
Arkansas Tech committed five turnovers, while Missouri S&T committed none.
The Wonder Boys will be idle until they begin Great American Conference play by hosting the Henderson State Reddies on Saturday, Sept. 15. Kickoff at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field is set for 6 p.m.
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