SWOSU Football Game Notes | at Arkansas Tech | 9.3.2026

SWOSU Football opens the 2026 season in Russellville against Arkansas Tech. The Bulldogs enter year three under Andrew Rice after finishing 6-5 last fall for the program's first winning season since 2015. Arkansas Tech is also coming off a breakthrough season, finishing 7-5 and earning a berth in the Heritage Bowl for the program's first postseason appearance since 2017.

Thursday's game will be streamed on the newly formed GAC Sports Network. Fans wishing to watch online will need to purchase a subscription or single-game pass through the network. All SWOSU home games will remain free to watch this season after the Bulldogs opted out of the GAC Sports Network.

SIX THINGS TO KNOW

1. BACK FOR MORE
SWOSU finished 6-5 in 2025 and closed the season on a three-game winning streak. It marked the Bulldogs' first winning season since 2015.

2. RUN IT BACK
The Bulldogs return 17 starters, including nine on defense. Six returning players earned All-GAC recognition last season.

3. RECORD-SETTING RUSH
SWOSU rushed for a program-record 2,347 yards in 2025. Red Martel returns after averaging 80.3 rushing yards per game.

4. FAMILIAR FOE
SWOSU and Arkansas Tech meet in the season opener for the second consecutive year. Last year's game was tied 10-10 late in the second quarter before Tech pulled away for a 32-10 win.

5. ROAD HISTORY
The Bulldogs are 3-2 in Russellville during the GAC era despite Arkansas Tech winning the last six meetings overall. SWOSU's most recent win in the series was a 35-14 road victory in 2018.

6. TWO TEAMS ON THE RISE
Both programs enter 2026 following breakthrough seasons. SWOSU's 6-5 finish was its first winning season since 2015, while Arkansas Tech's 7-5 record gave the Wonder Boys their first winning season since 2017.

BULLDOG BITES

TURNOVERS TELL THE STORY
SWOSU committed four second-half turnovers in last year's meeting, helping Tech turn a 17-10 halftime advantage into the 32-10 final.

LOCKDOWN SECONDARY
The Bulldogs allowed only 157.5 passing yards per game in 2025, finishing fifth nationally in NCAA Division II.

NASH IS BACK
Baylor Nash became SWOSU's first First Team All-GAC receiver since 2016 after totaling 548 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

MARTEL RETURNS
Red Martel rushed for 883 yards and six touchdowns on his way to Second Team All-GAC honors.

ANCHORING THE O-LINE
John-Paul Louie and Braydn Henry both return after earning All-GAC recognition in 2025.

McBEE'S LEG
Ethan McBee converted 9-of-11 field goals and was perfect on all 41 PAT attempts last season.

RICE, YEAR THREE
Andrew Rice begins his third season after guiding SWOSU to its first winning campaign in a decade.

BY THE NUMBERS

SWOSU enters the opener coming off a 2025 season in which it averaged 29.8 points and 386 yards of offense per game, including 213 rushing yards per contest. Defensively, the Bulldogs allowed 22.4 points and 337 yards per game. Arkansas Tech averaged 25.6 points and 345 yards of offense while surrendering 23.0 points and 411 yards per contest.

The Bulldogs also return several of their 2025 statistical leaders: Martel in rushing, Nash in receiving, Shane Armstrong in tackles/TFL/sacks, Malcolm Murphy in interceptions, Delmontre Pryor in forced fumbles and McBee in the kicking game.

SWOSU was picked seventh in the 2026 GAC Preseason Coaches Poll. 

SCOUTING ARKANSAS TECH

2025: 7-5 (7-4 GAC) • Heritage Bowl
Head Coach: Roy Thompson (2nd Season)
Preseason GAC: 5th

Arkansas Tech enters year two under head coach Roy Thompson after a breakthrough 2025 campaign. The Wonder Boys finished 7-5 overall and 7-4 in GAC play, earning their first winning season and postseason appearance since 2017. Tech's season ended with a 28-27 loss to West Texas A&M in the Heritage Bowl after a potential game-winning two-point conversion came up short in the closing seconds.

Offensively, Tech averaged 25.6 points and 345.1 yards per game last season. Redshirt junior Carter Hensley returns after throwing for 1,121 yards and eight touchdowns after taking over for the injured Jack Dawson, but Tech also lists Lathan Boone and Dominic Feliciano as competitors at quarterback. The Wonder Boys must replace GAC Freshman of the Year Bryson Roland, who rushed for 1,141 yards and nine touchdowns before transferring to ULM, along with leading receiver Jared Long.

Defensively, the Wonder Boys allowed 23.0 points and 411.2 yards per game and must replace their top four tacklers from a year ago. Defensive back Jonah Brown is Tech's leading returning tackler with 43 stops, while Tyrique Jones returns after tying for the team lead with three interceptions. Linebacker Julien Lopez also returns after recording 38 tackles in six games before suffering a season-ending injury.

SERIES SNAPSHOT

Arkansas Tech leads, 9-5
SWOSU in Russellville: 3-2
Current streak: Arkansas Tech, W6
Last SWOSU win: 2018, 35-14
Last three:
2025: L, 32-10 
2024: L, 29-19
2023: L, 9-7