GAC

ba said. “We, as a team, have every intention of making 2016 a year to remember.”

Southern Arkansas went 7-4 last year behind freshman performances by quarterback Barrett Renner and defensive lineman Davondrick Lison. Renner became the first freshman quarterback in Division II to reach 3,000 yards since 2012, his 33 touchdowns raking No. 7 nationally. Lison ranked second in D2 with seven forced fumbles.

Arkansas Tech reached nine wins for just the 10th time in the program’s 101-year history, capping the season with a victory in the C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl. As a freshman, Bryan Allen led the GAC in rushing yards per game (115) and gained 1,150 yards. Three first-team all-conference selections return for Tech in Chris Eastburn (Lake Hamilton), Clayton Watson and Demetris Ford. Watson ranked second in the nation in punting yardage.

Other Thursday openers are Southern Nazarene at Arkansas Tech (Russellville), Arkansas-Monticello at Northwestern Oklahoma (Alva) and Southwestern Oklahoma at Southern Arkansas (Magnolia).