Nineteen Arkansas Tech football seniors went out on top with a 42-14 non-conference win over the Southwest Baptist Bearcats in the 2010 season finale at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville on Saturday.
The Wonder Boys (4-7) raced out to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter behind two touchdown runs by Rico Keller and a touchdown pass from Keller to Whisly Laurent.
Two Cody Jones field goals in the second quarter gave Arkansas Tech a comfortable 27-7 halftime lead, and the Wonder Boys removed most of the remaining doubt by marching for a touchdown on the first drive of the second half.
Keller threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Derandus Frye (photographed), who typically plays defensive end for Tech but was lined up at fullback on the play, with 8:39 to go in the third quarter.
Jones’ extra point capped a 12-play, 67-yard scoring drive, increased the Wonder Boys’ lead to 34-7 and the rest of the afternoon was a green and gold celebration.
Keller, a redshirt freshman, completed 15-of-23 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns to go with his pair of touchdown runs.
Two seniors were the other stars on offense. Scharvundrick Franklin carried 19 times for 92 yards and Laurent made seven receptions for 91 yards for the Wonder Boys.
Tario Dansby made nine tackles in his final game at Tech, giving him 215 career tackles. He also made his 11th and final career interception on Saturday.
Southwest Baptist (7-4) was denied an opportunity to set a new school record for wins in a season with the loss.
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