Weevils Prepare for Muleriders

   After last week’s loss to West Georgia which saw the Braves fire off 30 unanswered points, the Boll Weevils' head coach Gwaine Mathews went right back to the drawing board.

   "I’m about as blunt as they come, and [Saturday’s game] wasn’t good," Mathews said. "I’m not satisfied at all. Offensively, we played well enough to win the game, but we stunk on defense and special teams. Our offense would do what they are supposed to do, and [West Georgia] would come right back and answer. We’ve got to do a lot better job executing on defense. The bottom line is we’ve just got to coach that better."

  Mathews’ assessment is backed up by the numbers as the Braves seemed to be able to run at will against the Boll Weevil defense, racking up a total of 273 yards on the ground.

   However, the Weevils cannot afford to dwell on last week’s difficulties as they prepare for the top rushing team in the Gulf South Conference, the Southern Arkansas University Muleriders.

   The Muleriders feature a triple-option attack which has racked up an average of 287.6 yards per game, keyed by D.D. Holyfield’s 78.8 yards per game.

   "Southern Arkansas is a really good team," Mathews said. "They’ve got a great back in Holyfield. This team might be more one-dimensional than some of their teams in recent years. Their passing game has been almost non-existent. On the other side of the ball, they’re incredibly salty on defense. It kind of reminds me of the team they had in 2000, when they had an outstanding defensive football team."

   The ‘Riders suffered a tough loss just two weeks ago when they lost senior quarterback Damian Melancon for the season. However, backup Josh SanFilippo has filled in, adequately running the option attack with only a moderate drop in efficiency in their passing attack.

   Mathews is hopeful that the Weevil defense can step up against the SAU offense.

   "Option is something we should do well against defensively; it’s not too far off from the scheme West Alabama ran," he said. "It won’t be too much for us to switch gears and prepare for an option team because I went against that every day at Delta State in 2000 with coach [Steve] Campbell."

   One bright spot for the Weevils has been the emergence of sophomore wideout Tim Harris.

   "Tim Harris is establishing himself as one of the best receivers on the team," Mathews said. "He’s a big kid - good speed and good hands. He’ll be a difference-maker for us."

   However, in order for the Weevils to win Saturday, it will take an improved defensive effort against a Southern Arkansas team that has run the ball at will all season and is looking to even their conference record at 2-2.

   Saturday’s game marks the 79th meeting between the old Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference rivals with the Muleriders holding a 45-32-1 all time advantage in the series. UAM won last year’s matchup 33-31 in Magnolia but have not won against SAU in Monticello since 1995 when the Weevils drubbed the Muleriders 50-14.

   Kickoff at Convoy Leslie-Cotton Boll Stadium is set for 6 p.m. with tailgating festivities beginning at 3 p.m. and the Walk of Champions at 4 p.m..

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