Head coach Kyle Shipp’s belief that his 2022 Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys are equipped to compete with any team on their schedule was confirmed in the season opener…as was his belief that the next step in returning ATU football to championship form will be learning how to win close games.
When the Wonder Boys returned to the practice field in the wake of their 41-34 double overtime loss at Southeastern Oklahoma State, they drilled down on the fine points from a handful of plays that determined the outcome in week one.
“You have to put in the work every week to give yourself that shot on Saturday,” said Shipp. “We went right back to we’re on the 10-yard line going in…we’re on our own 1-yard line coming out…2-point plays…2-minute mode…just some things you don’t get to practice a ton because you want to stay healthy, but you have to get it done. We wanted to get it out of our system, see some guys be successful in those scenarios and gain their confidence back. I think we did a good job of that.”
Arkansas Tech will make its 2022 home debut when it hosts East Central University at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field. Game tickets are available at www.arkansastechsports.com/tickets. Party at the Plaza tailgating begins on the Crabaugh Hall lawn at 3 p.m. Jerry Charles Young II, the next campus ambassador at ATU, will be introduced during a 5 p.m. ceremony outside Crabaugh Hall.
ECU’s Tigers (0-1) dropped a 29-12 decision to nationally-ranked Harding University in week one. East Central relies heavily upon the talent and experience of third-year starting quarterback Kenny Hrncir. He either passed or rushed on 44 of the Tigers’ 58 offensive plays against the Bisons.
“(Hrncir) can run well, and he does enough with his arm to scare you,” said Shipp. “He does a good job extending plays. He’s like a worm out there. You think you have him tackled, and he wiggles out of it.”
One of the Wonder Boys chasing Hrncir on Saturday will be linebacker Victor Hill, who recorded two quarterback sacks against Southeastern Oklahoma State.
“I’m sure Vic will be pinpointed on some scouting reports,” said Shipp. “He can beat you off the edge, and I think that opens up opportunities for some other people. When they try to push their protection toward one person, a lot of times that opens up other people to have success. Hopefully this week they’re worried about Vic and some of the other guys can make a few big plays as well.”
Pre-game coverage of the ATU-ECU game will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday on KCJC 102.3 FM, the KCJC Radio app and www.arkansastechsports.com.
Talk to you on the radio.
Tech Tidbits is a column written by Sam Strasner, ATU director of university relations and radio play-by-play voice for ATU football and basketball.
