Arkansas Tech rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to defeat the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm 45-38 on Homecoming 2012 at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville on Saturday night.
Arkansas Tech rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to defeat the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm 45-38 on Homecoming 2012 at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field in Russellville on Saturday night.
Tech quarterback Tanner Marsh accounted for 282 yards and three touchdowns as the Wonder Boys (3-3 overall, 1-2 Great American Conference) extended their Homecoming winning streak to six consecutive years.
Southeastern Oklahoma State led 31-14 after Ladarius Abrams’ 48-yard touchdown run with 12:18 left in the third quarter, but the Wonder Boys took advantage of two Savage Storm turnovers and responded with 23 unanswered points.
After Tech’s Trevor Pinkston made a 37-yard field goal with 8:56 left in the third period, Arkansas Tech cornerback Michael Waldon intercepted a SOSU pass and returned it to the Savage Storm 5-yard line.
That set up Casey Henderson for a 1-yard touchdown run, and with 6:11 left in the third quarter, the Southeastern Oklahoma State lead was cut to 31-24.
A high snap on a Savage Storm punt attempt provided the Wonder Boys with a safety and made the score 31-26 at the 4:38 mark of the third quarter.
Another Pinkston field goal — this one a 36-yard boot with 57 seconds to go in the third period — pulled Arkansas Tech within 31-29.
The Wonder Boys grabbed their first lead of the night on Henderson’s second 1-yard touchdown plunge. Marsh completed the 2-point conversion pass to Jonathan Keener and the Wonder Boys led 37-31 with 12:12 remaining.
The go-ahead touchdown was set up by a Quinton Abron interception.
The Arkansas Tech lead, however, was short-lived.
Southeastern Oklahoma State (1-4, 0-4) responded with a nine-play, 74-yard drive that resulted in a 10-yard touchdown run by C.J. Kirk. Chris Peoples’ point after touchdown kick put the Savage Storm back in front 38-37 at the 8:30 mark of the fourth quarter.
Arkansas Tech wasted no time in responding. On the first play from scrimmage during the ensuing possession, Marsh threw a 55-yard bomb to John Simpson to put the Wonder Boys in scoring position.
Two plays later, Marsh found J.J. Ford for a 12-yard touchdown pass to put Arkansas Tech in front for good. Marsh again connected with Keener for the 2-point conversion pass to set what proved to be the final score.
Southeastern Oklahoma State had one last chance in the closing minutes, but Tech defensive back Andreveus Brandon stopped SOSU’s Jercolby Bradley for no gain on a fourth-and-1 quarterback keeper with 47 seconds left. The Wonder Boys took over on downs and ran out the clock.
Ketrich Harmon rushed 15 times for 79 yards and Cody Lewis carried eight times for 46 yards for Arkansas Tech.
Marsh completed 16-of-31 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns, both of which went to Ford. Marsh ran nine times for 69 yards and a touchdown.
Logan Genz made a team-high 11 tackles for Arkansas Tech.
The Wonder Boys will visit Southwestern Oklahoma State for a 2 p.m. GAC game at Fast Lane Field in Weatherford, Okla., on Saturday, Oct. 13.
]]>
