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Paul Smith

Photo by Morris Bramlett

Stopped -- UAM defense makes a critical stop of the OBU runner at the goal line, later forcing a field goal.

Sports Information Director

   The University of Arkansas at Monticello Boll Weevils (1-2, 1-0 GSC) turned in their best defensive performance since the 2001 season in a 27-6 victory over the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers (1-2, 0-1 GSC) last Saturday at Convoy Leslie-Cotton Boll Stadium.

   The win snaps a nine-game losing streak for the Boll Weevils.

   Prior to the game, the last time the Weevils held an opponent to under ten points was in a 41-0 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State in 2001; and the last time UAM held an opponent from Arkansas to under ten points came in a 17-7 win over Ouachita Baptist in the 1993 season.

   Offensively, the Weevils broke through early, scoring on the first drive of the game on a 33-yard Ryan Guardia (So., Hurly, Miss.) field goal.

   The UAM defense gave a sign of things to come on the ensuing OBU drive, as after Brandon Mayweather (Sr., Crossett, Ark.) stuffed a first-down run for a four-yard loss, Jordan Wisener (So., North Little Rock, Ark.) forced a fumble on the very next play to give the Weevils possession once again.

   The Weevils carried their 3-0 lead into the second quarter, when OBU tied the game on a 19-yard Zac Wright field goal less than a minute into the second half.

   However, UAM’s offense answered on the next drive as John L. Williams (Jr., Gainesville, Fla.) capped a seven play, 61-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown run to give the Weevils a 10-3 lead.

   Late in the second quarter, Wright cut UAM’s lead to 10-6 with a 20-yard field goal with 3:25 remaining in the half.

   UAM led going into the half, and as OBU took possession to begin the half, the Weevil defense stepped up once again, forcing OBU to punt. The UAM offense once again came through, driving 73 yards downfield in 13 plays, scoring on a two-yard touchdown pass from Elijah McDonald (So., Morton, Miss.) to Mayweather to give UAM a 17-6 lead.

Photo by Morris Bramlett

Forced -- UAM makes OBU start deep in their own territory as they down the Anthony Rodriguez punt inside the one.

   On the Weevils’ opening drive of the fourth quarter, Guardia hit his second field goal of the game, this time from 33 yards to extend UAM’s lead to 20-6.

   The Boll Weevils scored one more time as time wound down, as Williams capped a seven play, 71-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run to set the score at 27-6 with 1:09 remaining.

   Williams led all rushers with 28 carries for 188 yards and two touchdowns, while McDonald completed 13 of 26 passes for 100 yards and one touchdown. Chris Humes (Sr., Vicksburg, Miss.) was UAM’s leading receiver with five catches for 88 yards.

   The UAM defense forced four turnovers and held OBU to 259 total yards of offense in the victory; while UAM’s offense converted on six of twelve third downs.

   The Boll Weevils will look to improve to 2-0 in Gulf South Conference play this coming Saturday, as they travel to Searcy to face Harding. A 6 p.m. kickoff is scheduled.