Turnovers hurt Arkansas Tech

FLORENCE - After watching UNA quarterback Harrison Beck and wide receiver Mico McSwain post record-setting performances in a 42-17 regular season loss to the Lions in early Ocotber, Arkansas Tech coach Steve Mullins knew he would have to change his defensive game plan heading into Saturday's second-round playoff rematch with the Lions.

Five turnovers that resulted in 28 of UNA's 42 points meant there would also be a bit of a change in the Wonder Boys' offensive scheme.

On paper, most of the changes looked great.

Offensively, senior quarterback Nick Graziano completed 39 of a school-record 63 pass attempts, throwing for 432 yards and three

touchdowns as the Wonder Boys outgained the Lions

519-480 in total yards.

After allowing Beck to throw for a school-record 431 yards and five touchdowns in the regular-season loss, Arkansas Tech's defense limited the Harlon Hill finalist to 341 yards in the air, limiting the big plays that proved to be so lethal in the regular-season loss.

McSwain, who caught seven passes for 210 yards and a touchdown in the teams' first meeting, was held to just four receptions for 51 yards and one touchdowns.

Unfortunately for Mullins, the Wonder Boys were not able to limit their own turnovers.

Graziano threw two drive-ending interceptions late in the fourth quarter and the Wonder Boys lost four fumbles as the Lions held off a late rally to eliminate Arkansas Tech from the Division II playoffs.

"Our guys really played with a lot of effort today," Mullins said.

"We knew coming in that UNA's defense would be fast and would hit hard, so we worked on implementing a quick-pass offense to give Nick an opportunity to get rid of the ball. We also worked hard on defense to protect the outside and limit the deep pass. For the most part all of our changes worked. We just beat ourselves with all the turnovers."

Graziano echoed his coach's sentiment.

"We just shot ourselves in the foot with the late turnovers," he said. "You can't give a quality team good position with turnovers because you know they are going to score points. We had chances to put ourselves back in the game, but we just made too many mistakes in the fourth quarter."

Despite the loss, Mullins was pleased with his team's effort.

"These guys played hard and never gave up," he said. "UNA is a great football team and we knew coming into today that they were going to give us a tough game. I really think we played well today, we just happened to come up a little short."