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Southern Arkansas University Athletics

Official Athletics Site of the Southern Arkansas University Muleriders
FB | Arkansas Tech (8-31-17)
Brenna Johnson
21
Southern Arkansas SAU 0-1 , 0-1
28
Winner Arkansas Tech ATU 1-0 , 1-0
Southern Arkansas SAU
0-1 , 0-1
21
Final
28
Arkansas Tech ATU
1-0 , 1-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
SAU Southern Arkansas 0 14 0 7 21
ATU Arkansas Tech 0 14 0 14 28

Game Recap: Football | | By: Daniel Gallegos

No. 22 Muleriders tripped up on the road at Arkansas Tech

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The No. 22-ranked Southern Arkansas football team did not have its 2017 season get off to the start it hoped for as the Muleriders were tripped up on the road against (RV) Arkansas Tech, losing to the Wonder Boys, 28-21, on Thursday night at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field.
 
RECORDS
#22 Southern Arkansas Muleriders (0-1, 0-1 GAC)
(RV) Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys (1-0, 1-0 GAC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – First Half
  • Neither team found the scoreboard in the opening quarter of the season, but the first play from scrimmage in the second quarter saw SAU light the scoreboard first as Barrett Renner connected with Darrion Ardoin from 6-yards out.
  • The Wonder Boys would have a great return on the ensuing kickoff to set up their first scoring drive of the game. That drive, which knotted the game at 7-all, was capped by a 23-yard TD pass from Ty Reasnor to Jakob Dean.
  • SAU responded and regained a touchdown lead thanks to a methodical 11-play, 73-yard scoring drive that ate up just over six minutes off the clock. That drive was capped with a five-yard TD pass from Renner to SirCharles Perkins.
  • A quick three-and-out gave the ball back to the Muleriders, but a fumble four plays later halted the push to extend the lead. The Mulerider defense forced another three-and-out, but SAU was unable to capitalize on the offensive end and were forced to give Tech the ball back with 42 seconds left in the first half.
  • The Wonder Boys would take advantage of that narrow opportunity to score as on their first play of the drive Reasnor connected with Justin Bailey from 35-yards out, tying the game at 14-all.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED – Second Half
  • Like the first quarter, the first 15 minutes of the second half yielded no points on either side, but as it was in the second quarter, SAU found the endzone on the first play from scrimmage in the fourth quarter. On that play, Renner threw his third touchdown of the game, this one a five-yard completion to fullback Jaidon Parrish.
  • Tech's first drive of the fourth quarter ended with Malik Preston coming away with his second interception of the game. On the INT return, Preston brought the ball back into Tech territory at their 42.
  • The Muleriders were able to drive the ball down to the Tech 21-yardline and were lined up to go for a 4th-and-1, but a false start penalty forced a 43-yard field goal try instead. No points came of that try as it missed wide right and the game remained 21-14, SAU.
  • Tech used the momentum of the miss and quickly drove the field for the tying score as Reasnor hooked up with Drew Wade from 59-yards out.
  • On SAU's ensuing drive, they drove back to the Tech 26-yardline and were facing a go-ahead 43-yard field goal attempt. That try did not materialize, however and Tech took over on downs at their own 27-yardline with 6:51 left in the fourth.
  • The Wonder Boys then went on a game-defining 11-play drive that saw them take their first lead of the game with 2:54 to go.
  • SAU's chances of a game-tying drive took a hit on the first play of their ensuing drive as an interception gave the ball back to the Wonder Boys with just over 2:30, essentially ending the game. SAU was able to get the ball back, but had to go 90 yards in just two seconds.  
 
TURNING POINT
  • Up 21-14 with 11:47 left in the fourth quarter, SAU faced a 4th-and-1 from the Tech 21-yardline. Lined up to go for it, a false start pushed the ball back five yards and forced a 43-yard field goal try. That attempt went right and five plays later, Tech tied the game at 21-all on a 59-yard touchdown pass.
 
OF NOTE
  • The home team has now won the last 10 meetings between SAU and Arkansas Tech. The last time the road team has won a game in the series was back in 2007 when SAU beat the Wonder Boys, 56-49.
  • Junior QB Barrett Renner threw for 343 yards on 33-for-44 passing. It was the 11th time in his career that Renner has thrown for over 300 yards.
  • Senior wide receiver Jonathan Weisheit hauled in six receptions for 42 yards. He is now 13 catches from tying SAU's all-time reception record, currently held by Nik Lewis (2000-03). Lewis recently became the all-time reception leader in the Canadian Football League.
 
UP NEXT
The Muleriders will look to bounce back next week as they will play at Wilkins Stadium at Rip Powell Field for the first time in 2017. SAU's will face another tough test in that matchup with reigning GAC Champion, Harding coming to town.
 
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