Weevils Stopped by Muleriders

Why not
e-mail us?

e-mail

Faculty/Staff

Student

Resources

WebCT

Faculty/Staff directory

Weevils Stopped by Muleriders

Willam Collins
Sports Editor

The University of Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils almost got a win that some fans felt was deeply needed.

This past Friday, the Gulf South Conference preseason ranked No. 11 Boll Weevils traveled to Magnolia to take on the No. 5 Southern Arkansas Muleriders. The win would have done wonders for the team who posted their worst record last year, winning only one game, since the 1998 season. In the past season, UAM had what it took to begin a game but never could seem to finish it.

Many games were close or even lead by the Boll Weevils at the half, somehow they turned into losses by the end of them except one. Of all the talk of the new re-vamped defensive line, everyone could hardly wait till the kickoff. The game was set on the Magnolia Panthers High School field because the turf installation was not complete on the Riders field. Some recall the last time UAM and SAU faced off and endured field problems, in 1999 the sprinkler system malfunctioned just as the Boll Weevils were to score. However, the Boll Weevils overcame the problem by cashing in on an overtime victory.

In the first half of play, the UAM defense stepped up and held the SAU offense to only one score and many punts. The 2-yard touchdown run from Dakota Fitzgerald (Sr., Kentwood, La.) was the first score of the season. However, the Boll Weevils missed their extra point try to put the score at halftime, 7-6 in favor of the Muleriders. The defense proved to be all over the common option play that SAU mostly ran. UAM practiced on it a lot during their practice sessions.

After halftime, UAM came out only to give the Muleriders a drive of three plays and less than 10 yards, forcing them to punt. Soon after, the Boll Weevils posted their first lead of the game, 9-7, which came at the 9:52 mark of the third period when Ryan Guardia (So., Hurly, Miss.) scored a 23-yard field goal. The score remained unchanged for the remainder of the period.

In the fourth quarter, the Muleriders added a field goal of their own to retake a lead of one point. Shortly after that with 10:05 left in the fourth, Boll Weevil wide receiver Tim Harris (Jr., Kansas City, Mo.) hauled in a 25-yard touchdown pass from Elijah McDonald. UAM failed to succeed in the two-point attempt, leaving the score settled at 15-10 in favor of UAM. As UAM begin a drive off an interception by Lavar Wyatt (Jr., Newport), the Boll Weevils had less than five minutes to claim the victory. SAU dampened all spirits when they intercepted a UAM third-down pass.

The Muleriders went on to score on a tipped 25-yard touchdown pass and converted a two-point extra try. UAM, on the ensuing kickoff began their drive from their own 29-yard line with 1:01 left in the game. On the first play, McDonald threw up a pass that was intercepted by Southern Arkansas to end the game with a score of 18-15.

John L. Williams (Jr., Gainesville, Fla.) racked up 43 yards rushing on 20 carries, while Delvin Shipp (So., Wilmar.) added 25 yards on nine carries.

Jeremy Brown (So., Kentwood, La.) led the UAM defense with five tackles.

The Boll Weevils will be off next week, returning to action on Saturday, Sept.9 as they travel to Huntsville, Texas to take on Sam Houston State starting at 6 p.m.

Media Services contributed to this article.

Have a comment? Please e-mail us.