Box Score RUSSELLVILLE, Ark.-- Offense was the name of the game, as the Statesmen took on Arkansas Tech on Saturday. Fortunately for the Statesmen, they were able to come through and defeat the Wonder Boys 47-32 at Thone Stadium.

The Wonder Boys (1-2) received the ball to start the game, and they wasted little time in getting points on the board. On the second play of the possession quarterback Preston Conder hooked up with wide out  A.J. Whitmore on a 58-yard touchdown pass to give Arkansas Tech the early 7-0 lead.

The Statesmen (3-1) drove down the field on their second possession of the game, and scored their first points. Senior kicker Matt Dean capped off a 10 play 39 yard drive with a 26 yard field goal.

Arkansas Tech came right back on the ensuing kickoff, as Whitmore took the kick 93 yards to the end zone. After a missed extra point, the Wonder Boys were up 13-3.

Delta State responded quickly to the touchdown return on their next drive. Senior quarterback Micah Davis led the Statesmen down the field on a 10-play 61-yard drive. Davis found senior  wide receiver Chance Dennis in the end zone for the six yard score. The touchdown cut Tech's lead to 13-10.

The scoring tradeoff continued in the second quarter. After a Delta State punt, the Wonder Boys went on a seven play 34 yard  scoring drive. Running back Trayshun King capped off the drive with a 4 yard run into the end zone. The score extended the Wonder Boys' lead to 20-10.

The Statesmen were on the move again, but the drive did not end they way they wanted it to. Dean had his 29-yard field goal attempt blocked by Myron Johnson. The Statesmen defense held tough though, and forced a punt from Tech.

Lucas took the punt return 30 yard and into Wonder Boy territory. The Statesmen offense took over from there with a three play 21-yard touchdown drive. Davis found Dennis once again for the touchdown. The score once again made it a three-point game in the second quarter.

The defense for the Statesmen made their mark on the ensuing Tech possession. The pass from Conder was deflected and intercepted by senior lineman Anthony Daniels. The Statesmen offense then took full advantage of the turnover. Davis capped of the four play drive with a one yard keeper which gave the Statesmen their first lead of the game at 24-20.

After the Statesmen defense held again, the offense once again  drove down the field. The Statesmen pulled out the trickery with a fourth down hook and ladder play. Dennis caught the pass from Davis and pitched the ball to senior wide out Bill Franks  who made it to the two yard line. The Statesmen had to settle for a 21 yard field goal from Dean to take a 27-20 lead into halftime.

Both teams traded punts to begin the second half, but it was Arkansas Tech who scored the first points of the third quarter. Davis had his pass intercepted by Joe Bryant, and Bryant took it to the end zone. The extra point was no good, and the Statesmen clung to a 27-26 lead.

The Statesmen held a one point lead in the 4th quarter until the Wonder Boys drove down the field and scored. Conder found Whitmore on a 14 yard slant for the touchdown. With the failed two point conversion Tech held a  five point lead at 32-27 with 11 minutes to go.

Delta State did not trail for long as they marched down the field on their next possession. Davis found Junior wide out Erick Clayton on a critical third down to give the Statesmen a first down in Wonder Boys territory. Davis then found Dennis for the third time on a touchdown pass. The two point conversion failed for the Statesmen, and  once again the Statesmen led by one at 33-32.

After the Statesmen defense made another important stop, the offense went back to work. An eight play, 54 yard drive was capped off with Davis touchdown pass to senior wide out Tim Smith. The score put the Statesmen up 40-32 with under five minutes to go in regulation.

Once again when needed, the Statesmen defense answered the call. Senior lineman Robbie Mayers intercepted a  pass from Conder deep on the Arkansas Tech side of the field. The offense then visited the end zone one more time. Sophomore running back Richard Freelon capped off the seven play drive with a 12 yard touchdown run. The score allowed the Statesmen to leave Russellville with a 47-32 victory.

Despite the pick six, Davis was electric behind center for the Statesmen. Davis was 34-of-60 for 419 yards, and four touchdowns to go with the pick. Dennis also had a monster game. He caught 12 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns.

The Statesmen finished with 532 yards of total offense. Arkansas Tech finished with 262 yards. The Statesmen committed 12 penalties for 103 yards, while the Wonder Boys were flagged once for 10 yards.

The Statesmen will hit the road once again next week as they travel to Arkadelphia, Ark., to face Henderson State. The game gets  underway at 3 p.m. with the pre game show on the Statesmen Radio Network beginning at 2 p.m.