Nationally 19th-ranked Arkansas Tech University took advantage of two turnovers and a blocked punt in the first half to run away for a 58-21 Great American Conference win over Oklahoma Baptist University at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville on Saturday night.
The Wonder Boys (3-0) took the lead for good at 14-7 on a Bryan Allen 5-yard touchdown run with 1:47 left in the first quarter. It was set up six plays earlier by a fumble recovery by ATU’s Tre Chism.
The floodgates officially opened when Tech’s Deeandra Ervin blocked an Oklahoma Baptist punt on the final play of the opening period. Kristian Thompson scooped up the loose ball and raced 28 yards for a touchdown to extend the Wonder Boys’ edge to 21-7 after 15 minutes.
An eight-play, 98-yard scoring drive resulted in a 14-yard Arkansas Tech touchdown pass from Ty Reasnor to Tevin McKenzie. The Wonder Boys held a 28-7 advantage with 6:17 to go.
Three minutes later — set up by a K.J. Reid fumble recovery — Reasnor and McKenzie connected on a 4-yard touchdown pass that sent Tech to halftime with a 35-7 lead.
ATU added another 14-yard touchdown pass from Reasnor to McKenzie, a 64-yard touchdown strike from Reasnor to J.V. Davis, a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jandt Weary and a 24-yard field goal by Eric Perez in the second half.
Reasnor finished 14-of-19 passing for 264 yards and four touchdowns. Seth Culp had a team-high 11 tackles.
Oklahoma Baptist’s Isaiah Mallory rushed 22 times for 170 yards and three touchdowns. The Bison fell to 0-3 on the season.
Arkansas Tech forced four turnovers and committed zero.
The Wonder Boys will visit Southern Nazarene University for a 1 p.m. GAC contest in Bethany, Okla., on Saturday, Sept. 23. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.
