It’s Homecoming week at Arkansas Tech University.
Among the groups returning to campus are several significant football teams from the Wonder Boys’ rich heritage. They include the 1964 Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference champions, the 1994 AIC champions, the 1999 Gulf South Conference champions and the 2004 squad that reached the second round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs and is one of just four 10-win teams in Arkansas Tech football history.
Kyle Shipp, who was a wide receiver on the 2004 team and is in his fifth season as head coach at his alma mater, believes the 2024 Wonder Boys are ready to show the alumni what they’re about.
“It’s really important to me personally,” said Shipp. “I was able to be on that ’04 team, Coach (Kurt) Corbin was on the ’99 team and Coach (Brooks) Hollingsworth was the head coach of the ’94 team, so we have a lot of connections with those three teams within our staff. It’s really important for our young men to understand that those guys did it before them. They set a standard, and they want as much as anybody for us to get back where we want to be.”
Arkansas Tech (3-2) will host the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs (2-3) for a 4 p.m. Homecoming contest at Simmons Bank Field at Thone Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12. Tickets are available at www.arkansastechsports.com/tickets.
The Wonder Boys have the No. 1 passing offense in the Great American Conference (238.2 yards per game), but it was their running game that played a significant role in their 44-21 win at Northwestern Oklahoma State last Saturday. ATU had 214 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns while earning its seventh consecutive win against opponents from Oklahoma.
“Our running backs ran downhill really hard, the offensive line did a really good job and the tight ends did a really good job, as well,” said Shipp. “It helps when you have receivers who can make plays on the outside. I thought (NWOSU) was a little concerned about the passing game, but the run game showed up. Luke (Gall) and Myles (West) both did a really good job running the football.”
Stopping the run will be paramount if the Wonder Boys are to earn an eighth consecutive win against foes from the Sooner State.
Southwestern Oklahoma State ranks third in the GAC in rushing (163.8 yards per game). The Bulldogs’ quarterback, Kai Kunz, accounts for more than half that total (82.2 yards per game) and is tied for the individual lead among GAC rushers.
Live coverage of the ATU-SWOSU game will be available on KCJC 102.3 FM, the EAB Media Group 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.
