Despite gaining over 400 yards total offense, a 30-point halftime deficit proved too much to overcome as the Boll Weevils fell to top ranked North Alabama 46-27 on Homecoming.

      Coach Gwaine Mathews made some personnel changes on both sides of the football going into the game to make up for key loses at wide receiver and to improve play of the defensive secondary.

   He rotated Quenton Arnett to cornerback, Brett Naquin to receiver, Scooter White to safety and started true freshman Joshua Smith at cornerback.

   The changes in the secondary became apparent early in the first half as UNA put up 37 points in the first half, four touchdowns coming off passes.

   “It didn’t matter what our offense did, on defense we were so out of sync and in disarray it did not make a difference,” Mathews said. “A week from now or two weeks from now we will be a better football team.

   “I’m making moves that I think our program needs to make to win games.”

   The Weevils got a boost before the break when UNA’s starting quarterback A.J. Milwee left the game with an injury. Milwee finished the game 8-14 for 111 yard and three touchdowns and 39 yard and another score on the ground.

   With all UNA’s starters, minus the quarterback, remaining in the game, the Weevils went into the second half looking for a comeback.

   After a three and out on the Weevils first possession in the second half, UNA’s Vincent Jackson muffed the ensuing punt, which Smith recovered. Taking advantage of the turnover, the Weevils drove 46 yards in nine plays to score on a 22-yard run by quarterback Scott Buisson.

Photo by Kevin Sims

Connection - Jywin Ceasar looks in a Scott Buisson pass. Buisson and Ceasar connected eight times for 81 yards and a score.

   UNA added a field goal early in the fourth, but the Weevils match it with a score of its own on the next possession

   After a 45-yard completion to Clarence Denmark, Buisson found Jywin Ceasar in the end zone to cut UNA’s lead to 20. Buisson finished the game 26 for 41 with 270 yards and two touchdowns, but threw three picks. He also rushed for 54 yards on 10 rushed and a score.

   Not to be outdone, UNA’s Ed Gant returned the kickoff 66 yards to the Weevils four-yard line. Ret Tolleson punched it on the next play to give UNA a 46-20 lead.

   With time winding down, the Weevils drove 77 yards in nine plays with Buisson picking up his second touchdown pass, this one to Johnny Polite. The Weevils could get no closer than 19 points for the remainder of the game.

  Although the Weevils lost the game, Mathews said he could take some things from the second half comeback, but he would never use the word “moral victory.”  Statistic wise, the Weevils matched UNA in almost every category, but lost the turnover margin four to three.

   “There’s starting to be some common occurrences in turnovers,” Mathews said. “Despite saying that, the second half we were tit for tat. This football team is ok.”

   John L. Williams led the Weevils on the ground with 78 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Ceasar led the team catching eight passes for 81 yards and a score and Denmark caught six passes for 70 yards.

   The Weevils returned to action Oct. 20 on the road at West Georgia.