Wonder Boys Win Wild Opener over Bison

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. -- In an intense season opener, Arkansas Tech emerged victorious in overtime against Oklahoma Baptist with a final score of 44-41 at Simmons Bank Field in Russellville, Arkansas. The game was tightly contested throughout, with both teams exchanging blows in a high-scoring affair.

Arkansas Tech struck first with a 36-yard field goal by Austin Hosier. The Bison responded with a field goal of their own and a 61-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Rosenthal to Charles Whitebear with about three minutes left.

By the end of the first, the score was tied 10-10 with Luke Gall's 6-yard touchdown run off the right side.

The second quarter saw both teams scoring at will. Gall added another touchdown with a 27-yarder, while Rosenthal connected again with Whitebear for a 10-yard score to the back corner of the end zone. ATU regained the lead before halftime with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Forrester to Caleb Tanis, giving them a 31-24 lead at the break.

In the second half, Oklahoma Baptist clawed their way back.

On Tech's first offensive possession, the Bison defense delivered a three-and-out and on the ensuing punt, Brayden Johnson blocked it and returned it 10 yards for a touchdown. That tied the game at 31.
A possession later, Patrick Maxwell gave OBU the lead, 34-31, with a chip-shot field goal before the Wonder Boys responded again. However, Tech's ensuing six-play drive ended with Jordan Edington scoring from one yard out, moving the scoreboard to 38-34.

After ATU added a field goal following a Bison turnover, the Bison turned the ball over again, this time deep in enemy territory. The situation was grim, trailing by a touchdown with under two minutes left.

But, the Bison would get a stop and force a punt. The snap on that punt sailed high and the Bison would take over. On the very next play, offensive lineman Andrew Sawyer scored from the one and Maxwell's extra point was true, leaving the Tech crowd in shock with the scoreboard tied at 41.  

In the extra period, Tech's Christopher Baldazo sealed the victory with a 28-yard field goal after Oklahoma Baptist missed a field goal on their possession.

The Wonder Boys out-gained Oklahoma Baptist 479-299 in total yards, with Deuce Wise leading the way with 99 rushing yards. Kenny Rosenthal threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns for Oklahoma Baptist in the loss. Darius Melton was sensational in the return game and ended up with 174 return yards.