Weevils Falter, Tigers Roll

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ARKADELPHIA --- The University of Arkansas at Monticello Boll Weevils saw a 28-21 lead late in the second quarter evaporate as the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers reeled off 30 unanswered points en route to a 51-28 victory over UAM Oct. 8 at A.U. Williams Field in Arkadelphia.

   The Weevils took charge early in the contest, as John L. Williams ran a draw 74 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, giving the Boll Weevils a 7-0 lead just 18 seconds into the game.

   However, Ouachita answered back immediately, as the Tigers started their next drive on their own 46 yard line. On OBU’s first play from scrimmage, Taylor Carter connected with Slade Camp on a 40-yard strike to give the Tigers a first down at the UAM 14 yard line. After an off-sides penalty against UAM, Don Rich took a nine-yard touchdown run to cap a two-play, 59-yard drive and tie the ballgame at 7-7.

   The Weevils answered back immediately, as Williams capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run to give the Weevils a 14-7 lead.

   The Tigers responded on the very next drive, as Taylor Carter found Slade Camp with a seven-yard touchdown strike to even the game at 14-14.

   OBU’s defense stepped up on the ensuing drive, forcing the Boll Weevils into a three-and-out. The Tigers started their drive on their own 37-yard line, and Rich picked up his second TD run of the day, capping a four-play, 63-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run to put the Tigers up 21-14.

   The Tigers carried the 21-14 lead into the second quarter, but on their first drive of the period, the UAM defense forced OBU to go three and out and DeMathus Ledet returned the OBU punt 29 yards to the OBU 18 yard line. On first down, Scott Carpino tied the game at 21-21 with an 18-yard touchdown run.

   The Tigers were marching downfield on their next drive, when Carter connected with Clint Lahman on a screen pass. UAM’s Ryan Pilcher stripped the ball away and Jamarrick Johnson recovered the loose ball, giving the Boll Weevils a chance to take the lead yet again.

   OBU’s defense forced UAM into a three-and-out, but on the punt, the Tigers were flagged for defensive holding, giving the Boll Weevils a fresh set of downs. The Weevils took advantage of their second chance, as Dakota Fitzgerald capped a 13 play, 50-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run to give the Weevils a 28-21 lead.

   That would unfortunately be the last of the highlights for the Weevils.

   The Tigers would tack on three points as Zac Wright nailed a 37-yard field goal to narrow the UAM lead to 28-24 at halftime.

   The Tigers scored on their opening possession of the second half, as Julius Pruitt broke off a 29-yard touchdown run, capping a five-play, 47-yard drive and giving OBU a 31-28 lead just over a minute into the second half.

   The Tigers continued their streak of big plays, as Carter connected with Bruce Steele on a 49-yard touchdown strike to give the Tigers a 38-28 lead with 6:37 left in the third period.

   Wright kicked his second field goal of the night, this time from 40 yards out to give OBU a 41-28 lead as the third quarter came to a close.

   Once again, another big play resulted in another seven points for the Tigers as Carter found Steele on the receiving end of a 43-yard touchdown strike to extend the OBU lead to 48-28. The Tigers tacked on their final score on a 22-yard field goal by Wright with 7:58 remaining.

   Williams had a career day for the Weevils, with 30 carries for 206 yards and two touchdowns. With his 200-yard game, Williams becomes the first Boll Weevil to rush for over 200 yards in a game since Corwin Elliott in 2001 against Delta State. Anthony Rodriguez completed 6-of-16 passes for 68 yards, and Jaleel Harris led the Weevils with two receptions for 20 yards.

   For the Tigers, Rich had 30 carries for 154 yards and two scores, and Carter connected on 11-of-18 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns.

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© The Voice 2005
Revised 09/17/2007 02:16:21 PM — http://www.uamont.edu/Organizations/TheVoice/3_6/fbrecap.htm