{slimbox images/slimbox/2009-10-15/06-1.jpg,images/slimbox/2009-10-15/06-1thumb.jpg,Wide receiver Landon Turner attempts haul in a pass for a touch down against Southern Arkansas.}

Tario Dansby returned his second interception for a touchdown this season, and Brandon Wright scored on a 75-yard fumble recovery as the Wonder Boys defense bounced back brilliantly against Southern Arkansas in a 37-24 win. The performance came just one week after surrendering 42 point to North Alabama in Florence.

Tech’s usually explosive offense struggled to get started early in the contest, failing to convert a fumble by Southern Arkansas (1-5, 1-4) on the opening kickoff into points. The Wonder Boys (4-2, 2-2) went three and out on their second possession and then missed a field goal on their third drive.

The Muleriders drew first blood on a 30-field goal, but the Wonder Boys responded with an 11-play 70-yard drive capped off by a seven yard touchdown strike from Nick Graziano to Landon Turner.

Wright’s defensive touchdown would extend Tech’s advantage to 14-3, but a 28-yard touchdown pass from Austin Civita to Raphyael Tyson cut the lead to 14-10 with less than a minute remaining in the first half.

A good return by Frantz Simeon to start the second half gave the Wonder Boys good field position. Senior running back Tim Childress powered into the end zone for the score, but a botched extra point attempt by Travis Cockerham kept the score at 20-10.

Cockerham would redeem himself later in the third quarter, splitting the uprights for a 22-yard field goal. Dansby’s 60-yard pick return gave the Wonder Boys a 30-10 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Muleriders would not go quickly though. With six minutes left in the final quarter, Civita connected again with Tyson, who broke a pair of tackles and blazed 93 yards for the score.

Tech would answer with a 59-yard catch and run by Frantz Simeon to put the game out of reach. The Wonder Boys avenged last year’s shootout loss in Magnolia, coming out on top by a final score of 37-24.

Graziano finished the game with 307 yards through the air and two touchdowns. Turner ended the night with eight catches for 129 yards. Simeon finished with four catches and 184 all-purpose yards.

On Saturday the Wonder Boys will take on West Georgia following homecoming festivities. The Wolves come in looking to end their 21-game losing streak that dates back to 2007. A victory over West Georgia would match the Wonder Boys’ total wins from last year.