Gwaine Mathews and the University of Arkansas at Monticello Boll Weevils football team will look to rebound from a tough loss at the hands of the Harding Bisons last weekend as they travel to Natchitoches, Louisiana to square off against the Northwestern State Demons.

   Mathews admits that is difficult to take too many positives from Saturday’s loss to Harding. “There’s no easy way to put it, and there’s no excuses to be made,” said Mathews. “It just wasn’t a good night.”

  Even in the days leading up to the Harding game, Mathews felt that something may not be right. “I thought that we had a pretty good week of practice up until Thursday,” said Mathews. “Thursday, we were out there for about an hour and I didn’t like how things were going, so I sent them back to the locker room; they waited in the locker room for ten minutes and then they came back out and we started the whole practice over again. I think that was a sign of things to come.”

   However, there were several bright spots for the Weevils. Harding entered the game with one of the highest-rated passing attacks in the entire Gulf South Conference, but the UAM defense was able to contain a very potent Harding passing attack. “We totally shut down their passing game,” said Mathews. “We got three interceptions on the night.”

  Mathews was less pleased with his team’s run defense, saying “they ran the ball right up our throat. No excuses there.”

   Still, while the offense struggled at times, Mathews continues to be impressed with the improved play of quarteback Elijah McDonald (So., Morton, Miss.). “I thought that Elijah would have some growing plays,” said Mathews. “But Elijah is proving himself week-in and week-out. “

  The Boll Weevils know that they have no room for growing pains this coming week, as they travel to face one of the top Division I-AA teams in the country. “They’ve got a real good football team,” said Mathews. “They’ve got a bunch of LSU transfers, so I know we’re going up against a good opponent.”

   The Demons are the second Southland Conference foe that the Weevils will face this season, but provide a contrast from the Sam Houston State squad who currently lead the Southland in scoring defense with a 21.7 points per game average. The Demons are sixth of seven teams, allowing 33.0 points per game.

  Statistically, Northwestern State features the top running back and quarterback in the Southland Conference, as tailback Byron Lawrence has averaged 80.3 rushing yards per game and quarterback Ricky Meeks has passed for 200.7 yards per game.

   Still, Mathews feels that the UAM defense will be able to hold their own.

   “Secondary wise, we’ve improved so much from last year,” said Mathews. “Teams try to go deep on us and we’re getting picks. We’ve just got to shore up our running game and we’ll be fine.”

   The game will be carried on the UAM radio network, and broadcast live over the internet at www.uamsports.com. Kickoff from Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches is scheduled for 6 p.m.