Carrollton, Ga. - Senior John L. Williams (Gainesville, Fla.) broke the University of Arkansas at Monticello's single-game rushing record with a 31-carry, 275-yard performance to lead the UAM Boll Weevils (3-5, 2-3 GSC) to a 35-32 overtime victory over the West Georgia Wolves on Saturday at Grisham Stadium.

   Williams’ performance breaks the previous record of 261 yards, set by Jerry Bingham in 1978 against Southwestern University (now Rhodes College). The game marks the second consecutive overtime contest between the two teams.

   West Georgia got on the board first, scoring on the first drive as quarterback Ryan Poole connected with wideout Jimmy Howard on a third down play on a 53-yard touchdown pass to cap a four play, 64-yard drive and give UWG an early 7-0 lead.

   The Boll Weevils rallied on its first full drive of the second quarter, as Williams ran 40 yards on an option pitch to knot the game with 12 minutes remaining in the first half, capping a seven play, 70-yard drive.

   West Georgia pulled ahead as Jared Guberman connected on his first of four field goals, knocking through a 33-yarder to put the Wolves’ lead at 10-7 with 1:27 remaining in the half; and UWG would tack on another three points as Guberman connected on a 40-yarder as time expired in the first half to give the Wolves a 13-7 halftime lead.

   The Boll Weevils reclaimed the lead early in the third quarter, as Williams picked up his second touchdown rush of the day, a 15-yard run to cap a five play, 57-yard drive and give the Boll Weevils a 14-13 lead with 8:27 remaining in the third quarter.

   The Wolves quickly came back, as James Kennebrew capped a five play, 37-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run to give UWG a 19-14 lead after the Wolves’ two-point conversion attempt failed.  Williams’ third touchdown run of the game came on the Weevils’ first possession of the fourth quarter, as he capped a 14 play, 80-yard drive with a five-yard run to once again give UAM the lead, as the Boll Weevils pulled ahead 22-19 after a two-point conversion.

   Once again, the Wolves struck back as Poole connected with Howard again on a 37-yard play to give UWG a 29-26 lead with 7:18 remaining in regulation, but the Boll Weevils immediately responded as first-year student Scott Buisson (Metairie, La.) connected with junior Clarence Denmark (Jacksonville, Fla.) on a 49-yard touchdown pass to give the Boll Weevils a 29-26 lead.

   The Boll Weevils reclaimed the ball and were able to hold possession until the 45 second mark, when it turned the ball over on downs.

   West Georgia immediately marched downfield, and Guberman nailed his third field goal of the day as time expired in regulation to tie the game and send the game to overtime.

   The Wolves started with the ball in overtime, and immediately the UAM defense drove West Georgia backwards, forcing UWG to a third and 26. However, the Wolves converted the third and long situation as Poole completed a desperation pass to Howard, making it to the UAM one yard line.

   The UAM defense held its ground, forcing the Wolves to kick a field goal, giving UWG a 32-29 lead after its possession in overtime.

   First-year student Johnny Polite ( McGehee) ran 16 yards on the Weevils’ first play from scrimmage in overtime, and on third and goal from the three-yard line, Polite found the end zone on a draw play to clinch the win for the Boll Weevils.

   UAM racked up 630 yards of total offense, including 489 yards on the ground in the victory. The Weevils set a new school record for first downs for the second time this season, eclipsing the mark of 31 set against Harding and Missouri-Rolla with a 34 first down performance.

   Buisson passed for 141 yards on 11-of-25 passing, with one touchdown pass. Williams’ 275 yards on the ground led all rushers, while sophomore Andrew Martin (Cantonment, Fla.) picked up 92 yards on 16 carries. Denmark was UAM’s leading receiver with 66 yards receiving on two catches.

   Junior Solomon Edwards (Wilmot) led UAM with ten tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss totaling 30 yards, two sacks totaling 14 yards, one pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.

   The Boll Weevils will return to action Thursday, Oct. 25, as it travel to Livingston, Alabama for the Gulf South Conference Game of the Week against West Alabama. The game will be televised on Cox Sports/CSS, broadcast live on KHBM-FM 93.7 in Monticello, and simulcast online at www.uamsports.com. Kickoff from Tiger Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m.