ROLLA, Mo. -- The University of Arkansas at Monticello's Boll Weevils (2-3) racked up 322 rushing yards while holding Missouri-Rolla to no net rushing yards as the Weevils picked up its second consecutive victory, topping the Miners 45-28 Saturday at Allgood-Bailey Stadium in Rolla.

   The Weevils’ 40-point performance marks the first time since the 2000 season that the Boll Weevils have scored over 40 points in consecutive games.

   After forcing the Miners to punt on its opening possession, the Boll Weevils marched downfield, capping a four-play, 68 yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run by senior John L. Williams (Gainesville, Fla.) to give UAM an early 7-0 lead. The Weevils extended its lead to 14-0 on its first drive of the second quarter, as Williams picked up his second touchdown run - a two-yard run that capped a 13-play, 71-yard drive.

   However, the Miners responded less than a minute later as Steve Watson connected with Bryan Crider on a 59-yard touchdown strike. Tim Valencia’s extra point attempt sailed wide left to keep the UAM lead at 14-6.

   After being pushed backwards on its next drive, disaster struck on fourth down for the Boll Weevils from its own 18; as an errant snap on a punt attempt allowed the Miners to take possession on the UAM five-yard line. After the UAM defense pushed the Miners back to the 11-yard line, Watson connected with Ashton Gronewold for a 11-yard touchdown pass on third down. UMR’s two-point conversion attempt failed, allowing the Weevils to go into halftime with a 14-12 lead.

   The Weevils came out firing in the third quarter, marching 61 yards downfield over nine plays to set up a career-best 42-yard field goal by junior Nick Green (Hammond, La.) to give UAM a 17-12 lead with 12:04 remaining in the third quarter. Williams picked up his third touchdown rush of the day just minutes later, capping an eight-play, 46-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run that gave the Boll Weevils a 24-12 lead.

   UAM pushed its lead to 31-12 with 3:18 remaining in the third quarter as freshman Scott Buisson (Metairie, La.) connected with junior Ike Knighten (Lake Wells, Fla.) on a 13-yard touchdown pass. The Miners would not go quietly; however, as Watson once again connected with Gronewold on a 38-yard touchdown pass to pull UMR to within 31-20 with 18 seconds left in the third quarter.

   The Weevils turned its scoring over to the defense in the fourth quarter, as senior Jerome Perez (Greenville, Miss.) picked up a Watson fumble and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown, giving UAM a 38-20 lead. Once again, the Miners responded as the duo of Watson and Gronewold connected on its third touchdown pass of the day, this one for 30 yards to narrow the UAM lead to 38-28 with 2:41 remaining.

   After an onside kick attempt failed, the Weevils were able to run 41 seconds off the clock before turning the ball over on downs; however, on the first play of the ensuing UMR drive, senior Lavar Wyatt (Newport) picked off an errant Watson pass and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown, sealing the 45-28 UAM victory with 31 seconds left in the game.

   Buisson led UAM with 168 yards passing on 16-of-24 passing, throwing for one touchdown with two interceptions. Williams led UAM’s ground attack with 95 yards on 21 carries with three touchdowns, while junior Delvin Shipp (Monticello) had 82 yards on 15 carries and freshman Johnny Polite (McGehee) had 58 yards on 12 carries.

   Junior Tim Harris (Kansas City, Mo.) led UAM with seven catches for 60 yards, while junior Clarence Denmark (Jacksonville, Fla.) led UAM with 62 receiving yards on just three receptions.

   The Weevils held a 496 to 363-yard advantage in total offense, while once again picking up 31 first downs.

   The Boll Weevils will return to action Saturday, Oct. 6 as it resume its Gulf South Conference schedule with a 3 p.m. game against Henderson State in Arkadelphia. The game will be broadcast live on KHBM-FM 93.7 in Monticello, and simulcast online at www.uamsports.com.