Weevils Break Losing Streak in Record Fashion

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Photo by Kevin Sims

Gotta Have Time — John L. Williams and Trip Boatner protect the pocket while Scott Buisson looks down field. Buisson led the Weevil to its first victory of the season.

   In a game where five team records and one conference record fell, the University of Arkansas – Monticello Boll Weevil’s snap a 10-game losing streak with a 48-32 victory over Harding University at Convoy Leslie-Cotton Boll Stadium.

   Scott Buisson crushed the previous UAM freshman passing record of 357 set by Kevin McCarn in 1997, throwing for 474 yards. He also set the school’s single game individual total offense record with 570 yards, the second most prolific game in Gulf South Conference history. Buisson gave most the credit for his record breaking performance to his receivers after the game.

   “All I have to do is get them the ball,” Buisson said. “I have confidence in all of them, cause I just give the ball and I know they are going to make plays. That make my job a whole lot easier because I don’t have fit the ball in tight places.”

   Buisson finished the night 27-45 with 474 yards, four touchdowns and an interception in the air, and 86 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

   The Weevils offense set the GCS record for total offense in a single game with 812 yards, eclipsing the mark of 804 set by Central Arkansas in 2002. The team also set school records for most first downs in a game, 31, and combined yards between two teams, 1,233.

   All records aside, head coach Gwaine Mathews was just glad to get a win at home.

   “I’m glad cause it happen at home,” Mathews said. “I’m glad cause it didn’t start off that good. We started with three turnovers in the first half, 14-13 with the defense keeping us in the game.

   “To me it’s two totally different games. You have the first half. The offense is driving, but it’s sporadic and we had three turnovers. I know everyone in the stands were going ‘I thought Mathews said he fixed the turnovers.' They were probably ready to run me out of town at that point, but the defense kept coming up big. That’s what kept us in the game and when the offense started rolling in the second half it was a pretty thing to watch.”

   Up by one going into half, Mathews decided to change the halftime rituals in the hopes to boost an offense yet to score a second half touchdown. Instead of going into the field house during halftime, Mathews held the meeting on the steps outside. He said he didn't want the team to do anything it did in the first three games, so he kept the team outside.

   It worked. After the second half kickoff, the Weevils drove 60 yards on 10 plays capped off by a six-yard scamper by senior running back John L. Williams. Williams finished the night gaining 112 yards on 16 carries and the one touchdown.

Photo by Kevin Sims

Off to the Races — Michael Green races down the sideline. Green Finished the night with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.

      Trying to build on the momentum, the Weevils tried an on-side kick, but were unsuccessful in recovering it. Harding took advantage of the short field, driving 36 yard on six plays, scoring on a five-yard Jonathan Paulson reception.

   The Weevils quickly fired back when Jywin Ceasar took a reverse 80 yards for a score on the first play from scrimmage. After the Weevil defense forced a turnover deep inside its on territory, Ceasar capped off a 90-yard drive with his second touchdown of the night, coming off of a 24 pass. Ceasar finished the day with seven receptions for 83 yards.

   The scoring onslaught continued in the fourth quarter when Tim Harris caught his second touchdown pass, this one for 72 yards. Harris led all receivers with eight receptions for 210 yards.

   With a comfortable lead, Mathews made substitutions on defense, giving some underclassmen a chance to gain some experience. Harding took advantage of the situation scoring a touchdown with 5:08 left in the game. The comeback ultimately fell short, giving the Weevil’s its first win of the season.

   “This first win means so much just cause with this win right here we can still compete for the GSC title,” Harris said. “We keep it going next week, get another win and then go to Henderson and make them boys play us too." 

   The Weevils start a two week road trip Saturday Sept 29, when it travels to Missouri-Rolla for the last out of conference game of the season. The Weevils travel to Arkadelphia the following week to play Henderson State, before returning home to host North Alabama for Homecoming