WONDER BOYS OPEN SEASON AGAINST CRIMSON STORM

Terrez Hampton, former WHS Lumberjack, plays for the
Arkansas Tech Wonderboys.

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - After a long wait through the offseason, the Arkansas Tech football team will open its 2016 season this Thursday night, hosting Southern Nazarene at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with the game broadcast locally on 102.3-FM (KCJC) in Russellville.

Live video, audio, and statistics are available at www.arkansastechsports.com.

Tech's new-look offense paid major dividends in the 2015 season, as the Wonder Boys put the league's second-most prolific offense on the field. Arkansas Tech scored 36.5 points per game on the strength of 458.8 yards per contest, while the defense held opponents to just 21.1 points - also the second-best mark in the GAC.

Tech racked up its offensive yardage behind the strength of a solid running game, featuring four backs in the top-20 in yardage in the league. Bryan Allen, the league's leading rusher, averaged 115.0 yards per contest, while Braden Stringer ranked 10th with 59.2 yards per contest. Kristian Thompson ranked 18th with 42.8 yards per game.

The fourth member of that group was senior quarterback Arsenio Favor, who rushed for 43.9 yards per contest - 15th in the GAC - while also passing for 189.1 yards per game. With his graduation, the quarterback position will be taken over by Emporia State transfer Ty Reasnor, who made the most of his time under center, moving into a starter's role due to injury and promptly earning MIAA Player of the Week honors.

Defensively, the Wonder Boys are without linebacker Logan Genz for the first time in four years. However, a cast of talented seniors - led by Demetris Ford, Bruce Livingston, Cua' Rose, and Quincy Peyton return in starting roles, while sophomores Cua' Rose and Kristen Trammell look to build upon solid freshman efforts this season.

Southern Nazarene is led by first-year head coach Andy Lambert, who will look to turn the fortunes of a Crimson Storm squad that had dropped 32 straight games before its season finale against Oklahoma Baptist. SNU returns 39 letterwinners and 13 starters from last year's 1-10 squad, and will put its spread option offense against Tech's 4-2-5 defense, while matching a 3-4 defense against Tech's multiple offensive formations.

Tech had a dominating - and memorable - 62-14 win over SNU in last year's season opener, racking up 469 yards on the ground. Allen and Stringer both went over 100 yards rushing in the contest, while as a team SNU was held to 196 yards.

Entering today's game, Stringer is on the verge of a milestone, entering the game with 985 career rushing yards - needing just 15 to go over 1,000 for his career.

The Wonder Boys' season opener kicks off an 11-game schedule, featuring five home games.