Weevils Downed in Home Opener

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Kevin Sims

Photo by Kevin Sims

Freshman Blues — Scott Buisson throws a touchdown pass. In his first start as a Weevil, Buisson threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns, but committed four turnovers.

Sports Editor

   With high hopes on its mind, the University of Arkansas – Monticello Boll Weevils went into its opening game against Gulf-South Conference rival Southern Arkansas on fire, but fizzled in the second half for a 38-21 loss.

   Although both teams are in the GSC west division, the game counted as a non-conference game.

   The new offensive scheme for the Weevils showed its potential early, giving Monticello (0-1) a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but South Arkansas (1-0) rallied back with 31 unanswered points.

   “If you going to be a spread offense, you can’t turnover the football unless you are going to score 80 points,” head coach Gwaine Mathews said.

   In his first collegiate start, true freshman Scott Buisson played better than expectation going 17 - 30 for 250 yards and two touchdowns, but committed four turnovers.

   “He’s going to be a great one,” head coach Gwaine Mathews said. “He’s got to learn not to take sacks and the picks are going to come, but when he runs he needs to protect the ball.”

   Up 21-14 with 12:45 remaining before half, Buisson threw a screen pass to Clarence Denmark that bounce off his shoulder pads, but the referees called it a fumble. SAU took advantage of the short field on the Monticello 31 tying the game on a six-yard run by Keundric Loucious.

   “It was the worst call in America,” Mathews said. “Clarence never had that ball, and that gives them seven points. That was a horrible call and it turn the momentum of the game.”

   Shortly after, the Muleriders took the lead on a 54-yard drive before half. SAU quarterback Josh SanFilippo rushed 51 yards on the first play from scrimmage and after two illegal procedures; fullback Jayvian Johnson put the ball in the end zone on a 13-yard run. Johnson finished the game with 44 yards on the ground.

Photo by Kevin Sims

Breakin' Loose — John L. Williams hits a hole and runs past defenders. Williams led the Weevils on the ground with 121 yards.

   In the second half, SAU’s Noe’ Cuevas added three points to the lead with a 23 yard field goal. SanFilippo threw his second touchdown of the game to Johnny Fields to cap off a 67-yard drive in the fourth to give SAU a 38-21 lead. Fields led the Muleriders in receiving with 62 yards on five receptions.

   UAM could not get anything started offensively in the second half only gaining 96 yards.

   John L. Williams led the Weevils on the ground, gaining 121 yards on 18 carries. He also caught four passes for 40 yards. Johnny Polite scored the lone touchdown on the ground with a 5-yard run in the first quarter. He finished the game with 26 yards on two carries.

   In his first game back since tearing his ACL in 2005, Tim Harris caught seven passes for 102 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown strike. Denmark also caught a touchdown and finished the game with three catches for 89 yards.

   SanFilippo led SAU on the ground and in the air, racking up 113 yards on 16 carries and passing for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Loucious led the Mulerider backfield with 62 yards on six carries.

   The Weevils were back in action on Sept. 8 against Sam Houston State in Huntsville, Texas.
 

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