It can happen. Just check Sept. 28, 1996, in the Arkansas Tech University football records book.
That was the day Arkansas Tech shocked the defending NCAA Division II national champion University of North Alabama Lions 38-35 at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Ala.
The Wonder Boys will try to once again go on the road and upset the defending NCAA Division II national champions when they close out their 2024 season by visiting the Harding University Bisons at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at First Security Stadium in Searcy.
Live coverage will be provided by KCJC 102.3 FM, the EAB Media Group app and www.arkansastechsports.com.
Arkansas Tech (5-5) will have momentum on its side as it takes aim on its first winning season since 2017. The Wonder Boys defeated Southeastern Oklahoma State University 6-0 last Saturday.
It was ATU’s first shutout since 2017 and its first win without the benefit of a touchdown since Oct. 22, 1960, when the Wonder Boys defeated those purple and gray folks from Conway 3-0 on their way to the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference title.
“Coach Kendrick Van Ackeren and the staff on the defensive side did a fantastic job getting the kids prepared and ready,” said Kyle Shipp, ATU head football coach. “They just went out and fought. We talked all week that we would have to play together and do it for each other. It was awesome to be a part of it. The previous three weeks had been hard. For those guys to come together as a team and play as hard as they physically could meant the world to me as a head coach and to our staff.”
There will be plenty of motivation for nationally fourth-ranked Harding on Saturday. The Bisons (9-1) need a win over Arkansas Tech to assure themselves of at least a share of the Great American Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II Playoffs.
On paper, ATU’s challenge is overwhelming. Harding leads NCAA Division II in rushing offense (417.4 yards per game), total defense (167.3 yards allowed per game) and scoring defense (6.8 points allowed per game). The Bisons have recorded 85 tackles for a loss and 25 quarterback sacks.
Harding has outscored its opponents 518-68. The lone blemish on the Bisons’ ledger is a 17-13 loss at Ouachita Baptist University on Oct. 19. Harding has responded by defeating Southern Arkansas University, Southeastern Oklahoma State and East Central University by an average margin of 33.7 points the last three weeks.
“We’re not healthy, but we’re going to fight,” said Shipp. “We have to have fun. Go out there, have fun, compete your butt off and try to execute at the highest level you can. Go compete. They’re just like you. They put their pants on the same way you do. They are good. You have to sell out in this game, match their intensity and match their physicality in order to have a chance.”
Are good luck charms a thing? Who knows, but if they are, the Wonder Boys will have one with them on Saturday.
Arkansas Tech’s head coach on that September Saturday 28 years ago in Florence, Ala., was Brooks Hollingsworth, who is back with the Wonder Boys this season as an assistant coach.
Maybe some of that 1996 magic will be with the Wonder Boys this Saturday in Searcy.
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.
