EL DORADO, Ark. – The (RV/#25) Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (6-1 GAC) defeated the Arkansas Tech University Wonder Boys (4-3 GAC) in dominant fashion by a final score of 42-7 in the Murphy USA Classic in El Dorado, Arkansas.
 
The Muleriders offense came out of the gates firing on all cylinders as they drove down the field for a 10-play touchdown drive, which was capped off by a three-yard Hezekiah Harris rushing touchdown for his first of the day to put the Muleriders up 7-0 with 10:53 to go in the first quarter.
 
The defense then took the field for the first time and held the Wonder Boys offense to a quick three and out, giving the Mulerider offense the ball back. The offense stalled out as the game quickly turned into a defensive struggle for the remainder of the first quarter despite the quick strike on the Blue and Gold's first drive.
 
Ending the first quarter driving the field, the Wonder Boys began the second quarter tying the game at 7-7 just four seconds into the quarter. The Muleriders then struck quickly again, this time with a seven-play drive, as Hezekiah Harris connected with Kendall Williams on the left side for a 20-yard pitch and catch touchdown, 14-7 SAU.
 
The defense then forced another ATU three and out and the offense took advantage as Katrevion Thomas punched it in from one yard out to extend the Muleriders lead, 21-7 SAU. The Wonder Boys offense then drove down to the Muleriders' three-yard line and looked to cut into the lead before the field goal team shifted into an offensive formation and attempted to score. The pass from the Wonder Boys kicker Jackson Phillips was broken up by Kendrick Juniel in the endzone as the Blue and Gold defense came up with a huge stop.
 
The Wonder Boys defense took full advantage of the Muleriders being backed up in their own end and forced a punt giving the ball back to their offense with some momentum. ATU drove to the SAU five-yard line again but Bryson Boulden came up huge with an interception in the endzone to thwart the Wonder Boys' efforts to cut into the lead right before halftime.
 
The Mulerider offense then took the field again with 39 seconds to go and looked as if they were going to run the clock out. Hezekiah Harris had other plans though as the quarterback kept the ball and rushed it up the right-side, tip toeing the sideline for an 80-yard touchdown run. His second of the day. At the half, SAU led 28-7.
 
The Wonder Boys received the ball out of the half and went on a 17-play drive that chewed nearly 10 minutes off the clock but were again held out of the endzone going for it on fourth down on the SAU four-yard line. The offense then took the field again backed up in their own end. A couple of big plays such as a 39-yard reception from Kendall Williams, a 27-yard reception from Jacob Trussell, and a 24-yard touchdown run from Katrevion Thomas put the Blue and Gold up 35-7.
 
The defense then stood strong for the reminder of the third quarter, as the offense got the ball back yet again to begin the fourth. Hezekiah Harris struck yet again with a big 30-yard touchdown pass and catch to Deandra Burns Jr. putting SAU on top 42-7.
 
The rest of the game was highlighted by both defenses as neither team was able to put any more points on the scoreboard and SAU capped off an impressive 42-7 win. Hezekiah Harris was the star of the show for the Muleriders. The junior quarterback threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns adding on 152 rushing yards and another two touchdowns.
 
Next Up:
The Muleriders will continue play next week as they take their second trip to Arkadelphia, Arkansas to play Ouachita Baptist University on Saturday, October 25th at 1:00 PM
 
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