December 3rd, 2025 7:00pm
By Craig Fenn, D2Football.com
Note: If you are looking for the preview of the Super Region Four Final between UTPB and Harding, you can find that column here: LSC Super Region 4 Final
Heritage Bowl Preview
The Heritage Bowl in Corsicana, TX pits West Texas A&M from the LSC against Arkansas Tech from the GAC. It’s one last chance for the nation’s leading passer, WT’s RJ Martinez, to add another 400-yard game to his record, as he finished the season with 4 out of 5 games with over 400 passing yards, including in the season’s final three games.
West Texas A&M versus Arkansas Tech, 12:00 PM (Game held at Tiger Field at Community National Bank & Trust Stadium, Corsicana, TX)
Records: West Texas A&M 7-4 (7-2 LSC), Arkansas Tech 7-4 (7-4 GAC)
Series History: First meeting
Team Statistics
West Texas A&M:
Points per game – 38 for; 31 against
Yards per game – 483 for (130 rushing, 353 passing); 399 against (170 rushing, 229 passing)
Turnovers – 17 committed; 9 caused
Sacks – 27 caused; 9 allowed
Time of Possession – 26:23 for; 33:37 against
Third Down Conversions – 47% for; 47% against
Fourth Down Conversions – 50% for; 54% against
Field Goals – 7-10 for (long of 34 yards); 6-11 against
Arkansas Tech:
Points per game – 25 for; 23 against
Yards per game – 340 for (164 rushing, 176 passing); 400 against (207 rushing, 193 passing)
Turnovers – 10 committed; 17 caused
Sacks – 15 caused; 12 allowed
Time of Possession – 28:14 for; 31:32 against
Third Down Conversions – 43% for; 48% against
Fourth Down Conversions – 50% for; 57% against
Field Goals – 5-9 for (long of 40 yards); 10-17 against
Top Players
West Texas A&M:
QB RJ Martinez – 283/431 passes for 3715 yards, 33 TD, 7 INT; 90 carries for 281 yards, 7 TD
RB Jayden Hibbler – 81 carries for 490 yards, 5 TD; 31 catches for 230 yards, 2 TD
WR Trevin Edwards – 55 catches for 652 yards, 6 TD
WR Zach Phipps – 33 catches for 591 yards, 9 TD
WR/QB Sean Johnson – 42 catches for 545 yards, 6 TD
WR Drew Zamar – 33 catches for 533 yards, 4 TD
DB Miles Hill – 93 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 4, 1 INT, 4 passes broken up
DB Jamel Acosta-Lewis – 57 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 INT, 12 tackles for loss
LB Hunter Corbin – 62 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1 INT, 2 passes broken up
LB Ashton Reynolds – 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 1 pass broken up
DL Andre Johnson – 32 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks
Arkansas Tech:
QB Carter Hensley – 68/123 passes for 886 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT; 32 carries for 93 yards
RB Bryson Roland – 158 carries for 1054 yards, 9 TD; 8 catches for 62 yards, 1 TD
WR Jared Long – 29 catches for 477 yards, 5 TD
WR Carldell Sirmons – 21 catches for 269 yards, 2 TD
WR Austin Marshall – 20 catches for 221 yards, 2 TD
WR Derrick Rose – 35 catches for 411 yards, 4 TD
LB Jyrin Steward – 73 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 INT
LB Sam Jackson – 65 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 pass broken up
DL Israel Whitmore – 38 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 2 passes broken up
DL Vershaud Richardson – 26 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 passes broken up
DB Tyrique Jones – 39 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3 INT, 6 passes broken up
DB Diego Sanchez – 53 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 INT, 5 passes broken up
WT has been driven by their fast-paced, high-flying, throw the ball everywhere passing attack led by Martinez, who leads the nation in passing yards and is near the top in touchdowns. Four Buffaloes have gained more than 500 receiving yards, led by Edwards with 652 yards. However, the pace of the WT offense, especially if it isn’t running well, puts a lot pressure on the WT defense, who is on the field a lot (opposing teams hold the ball for over 33 minutes against the Buffaloes) and has difficulty getting off the field, giving up first downs on nearly half of opponents’ third-down attempts and more than half of opponents’ fourth-down attempts. Martinez and Jayden Hibbler anchor the Buffs’ ground game, which tries to gain enough to keep defenses honest so they can throw it more. The WT defense has struggled at times this season, particularly against the pass, but they’ve also had their issues against strong running teams as well.
Like WT, Arkansas Tech finished fourth in the GAC with a 7-4 record. The Wonder Boys (yep, that’s what they’re called), at least on paper, don’t seem particularly “Wonderful” with the exception of star freshman running back Bryson Roland (1054 yards and 9 touchdowns). ATU is just about even in points for and against, they give up 60 more yards per game than they gain, and their defense doesn’t put much pressure on the backfield even though they do have 11 interceptions. Two of their top receivers are freshmen in Sirmons and Marshall, and likely quarterback Hensley is a redshirt sophomore. Hensley started the last 5 games for ATU in relief of Jack Dawson, who led the Wonder Boys in passing. Hensley has a 3-2 record as starter, with losses to Southern Arkansas and Harding. ATU’s best win is a 17-6 upset win over Henderson State (a game Hensley started), which they won despite being outgained 305 to 245 yards and their defense didn’t force any turnovers. However, they also lost to East Central and Arkansas-Monticello in games where their defense gave up 379 and 407 passing yards. Also, like WT, ATU’s defense is on the field more than their offense, and their defense struggles on third and fourth downs. The best thing I can say about this team is that more often than not, they just find a way to win, however impressive (or unimpressive) it may look.
When looking at this matchup, the defenses look like they’re about even, with both teams giving up around 400 total yards a game. WT isn’t as good against the pass while ATU is just about even against the run and the pass. However, the major difference I see in this game is how ATU has fared against heavy passing offenses. This is a team that doesn’t have that many sacks on the season, and pressure, even if you don’t sack Martinez, is how you disrupt the WT passing attack (just ask CWU). Maybe ATU can get a few interceptions, but outside of the Central Washington game, Martinez hasn’t thrown more than one interception in a game, and ATU, you’re not Central Washington. If ATU wants to keep this close, I think they will need to lean on Roland and the running game and do their best to keep the ball away from the WT offense. In a game where one of the teams is called the “Wonder Boys”, it is the WT offense that is the closest thing to being “Wonderful” in this game. I think Martinez finishes his WT career big here. West Texas A&M by 10 points.
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