RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - The 2014 Great American Conference football season begins on Thursday with Northwestern Oklahoma State facing Arkansas Tech. Two days later, Southwestern Oklahoma State travels to Harding, Henderson State visits Southern Nazarene, East Central takes on Arkansas-Monticello and Southeastern Oklahoma State squares off with Southern Arkansas. Joey McWilliams and Michael Westbrook of the GAC Network preview the upcoming season.
GAC FOOTBALL SEASON PREVIEW
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Game |
Venue/Location |
Time/Date |
Series/Last Meeting |
|
Northwestern Oklahoma State |
Thone Stadium (6,000) |
7:00 PM |
Arkansas Tech leads 7-4 |
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ARKANSAS TECH |
Russellville, Arkansas |
Sep. 4 |
ATU, 38-10 (September 5, 2013) |
The 2014 Great American Conference football season opens with the Rangers and Wonder Boys opening up the season for the second-straight season. Last season, in Alva, Arkansas Tech rolled up 445 yards of offense in a 38-10 victory. The ATU defense surrendered only 214 yards, its best effort of the season. Arkansas Tech has won both matchups since Northwestern joined the GAC and has won three straight games in the series. The Rangers last beat the Wonder Boys in 1993. This season represents the 100th season of Arkansas Tech football. The Wonder Boys have won nine of the their last 10 season openers and last lost at home on opening day in 2002. ||
NWOSU Game Notes || ATU Game Notes || NWOSU Audio || ATU Audio || Live Video || Live Stats ||
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Game |
Venue/Location |
Time/Date |
Series/Last Meeting |
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Southwestern Oklahoma State |
First Security Stadium (5,000) |
6:00 PM |
Harding leads 5-4 |
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(RV/--) HARDING |
Searcy, Arkansas |
Sep. 6 |
SWOSU, 27-23 (September 5, 2013) |
The Bulldogs and Bisons square off in Searcy for the third time in four seasons. Over the last two meetings, Harding’s Donatella Luckett has amassed 203 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on only 11 touches. The potent Bisons running attack ranked fourth nationally in 2013 averaging 359.7 yards per game. They return four of their top five ground gainers from last season, including All-American fullback Romo Westbrook, who gained 1,123 yards with 12 touchdowns. SWOSU breaks in new starting quarterback Ryley Claborn. He will have three of its top four wide receivers back - All-GAC selection Brad Smithey, Brian Robinson and Teverick Boyd. ||
SWOSU Game Notes || HU Game Notes || SWOSU Audio || HU Audio || Live Video || Live Stats ||
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Game |
Venue/Location |
Time/Date |
Series/Last Meeting |
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(8/8) Henderson State |
SNU Stadium (3,000) |
6:00 PM |
Henderson State leads 2-0 |
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SOUTHERN NAZARENE |
Bethany, Oklahoma |
Sep. 6 |
HSU, 82-10 (September 7, 2013) |
For the third-consecutive year, the Reddies and Crimson Storm will open the season facing each other; however, this year will mark the first time SNU Stadium will serve as the venue. The Reddies have scored victories of 63-21 in 2012 and 82-10 last year. All-American Kevin Rodgers has gone 39-for-55 for 928 yards and 10 touchdowns in those two wins. The Crimson Storm welcome back the school’s all-time tackles leader in Mike Hicks. He has recorded 280 tackles over his first three years in Bethany, including 45.0 tackles for loss, but missed the final five games of 2013 due to injury. ||
HSU Game Notes || SNU Game Notes || HSU Audio || Live Video || Live Stats ||
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Game |
Venue/Location |
Time/Date |
Series/Last Meeting |
|
East Central |
Cotton Boll Stadium (4,500) |
6:00 PM |
East Central leads 5-4 |
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ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO |
Monticello, Arkansas |
Sep. 6 |
ECU, 46-22 (September 5, 2013) |
One year after opening up in Ada, the Tigers and Boll Weevils flip to Monticello for the season-opening tilt. ECU raced out to a 33-8 first-half lead en route to a 46-22 home victory. The Tiger held the Boll Weevils to only 23 rushing yards on 32 attempts. JoJo Snell ran for 101 yards and a touchdown in his debut for the Tigers. Spencer Bond, who threw for 2,811 yards and 23 touchdowns returns for his junior season. UAM features a pair of preseason All-Americans - kicker Jamie McGee and corner back Mike Early. McGee set the UAM and GAC single-season record with 17 field goals while Early totaled 36 tackles, four interceptions and 12 passes defended. ||
ECU Game Notes || UAM Game Notes || ECU Audio || Live Video || Live Stats ||
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Game |
Venue/Location |
Time/Date |
Series/Last Meeting |
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Southeastern Oklahoma State |
Paul Laird Field (9,000) |
6:00 PM |
Southern Arkansas leads 19-16-3 |
|
SOUTHERN ARKANSAS |
Magnolia, Arkansas |
Sep. 6 |
SOSU, 56-50 (September 5, 2013) |
The Savage Storm and Muleriders look to reprise their thrilling 2013 season opener that featured 106 combined points and 1,163 total yards. The Savage Storm’s Devlon Wortham kicked off his GAC Freshman of the Year campaign by rushing for 220 yards on 13 carries, highlighted by an 87-yard fourth-quarter touchdown that gave Southeastern a late two-score lead. After consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2002-03, the Muleriders must replace their leading passer (Tyler Sykora), rusher (Mark Johnson), receiver (Chris Terry) and tackler (Tate Mustin). After serving as the defensive coordinator in 2013, Southeastern’s Bo Atterberry ascends to head coach at his alma mater. ||
SOSU Game Notes || SAU Game Notes || SOSU Audio || SAU Audio || Live Video || Live Stats ||