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WEEVILS
SHOCK LIONS IN SEASON-OPENER, WIN 21-7
August 30, 2008
Contact: Brian Ramsey, UAM Sports Information
PINE BLUFF – The University of Arkansas at Monticello
football team shocked a crowd of close to 10,000 on Saturday
night by beating the Golden Lions of Arkansas-Pine Bluff 21-7 in
the 2008 season-opener.
The win marks the first time UAM has beaten a NCAA Division I-FCS
(formerly I-AA) team since a win over Western Illinois in 1990.
It also marks the first season-opening win for fourth-year head
coach Gwaine Mathews.
The UAM win keeps the undefeated streak alive for the
Weevils versus UAPB in season-openers, moving to 7-0. The
all-time series moves to 13-4 in favor of UAM.
Scott
Buisson
.jpg) The
Weevils (1-0) sealed the win with 5:11 left in the game when
sophomore quarterback Scott Buisson (5-10, 175, Metairie,
La.) found a wide-open Clarence Denmark (5-11, 185,
Jacksonville, Fla.) for a 61-yard touchdown toss to put the
Weevils up by the final score of 21-7.
On that play, Buisson was almost sacked by the UAPB defensive
front, but escaped and threatened to run, which allowed Denmark
to get behind the defensive secondary for the score.
Buisson was also responsible for the other two UAM touchdowns.
In the first quarter with 3:42 remaining, Buisson found
sophomore running back Johnny Polite (5-5, 190, McGehee,
Ark.) out of the backfield for a 31-yard touchdown strike.
In the second quarter, Buisson used his legs to put the Weevils
up 14-0, scampering through the UAPB defense for a 66-yard
touchdown run.
The Weevil defense held the Lion offense scoreless in the first
half, a feat that UAM had not accomplished in the Gwaine Mathews
era as head coach.
However, the defense did allow one touchdown from UAPB in the
second half, when Anthony Abrams caught a 26-yard touchdown pass
from Jonathan Moore with 8:10 left in the third quarter.
Buisson finished the game with 95 yards rushing on 14 carries
with one touchdown, while Polite carried the ball 19 times for
80 yards.
Through the air, Buisson was 12-of-20 for 193 yards, including
two touchdowns throws. Buisson’s protection was solid throughout
the game, as UAPB was held to only one quarterback sack.
Senior Tim Harris (6-2, 210, Kansas City, Mo.) led all
receivers in the game with five catches for 73 yards. Denmark
finished with two catches for 63 yards, which included his
61-yard touchdown reception.
Defensively, the Weevils were led by junior Scooter White
(6-1, 200, Dayton, Texas), who finished the game with nine total
tackles, one interception for no yards and one pass deflection.
Juniors Jeremy Brown (6-0, 190, Tangipahoa, La.) and
Larry White (5-11, 225, Atlanta, Ga.) followed closely
behind with eight tackles each.
Augustus Ashley
Solomon Edwards
 .jpg) Senior
Augustus Ashley (6-1, 185, Jacksonville, Fla.) wasted no
time to define his role in the UAM defense, as the transfer from
Central Florida picked off two passes for 15 yards, forced a
fumble and was in on seven tackles.
Earning the first Arkansas Superior Federal Credit Union Player
of the Game award of 2008 was senior Solomon Edwards
(5-9, 185, Wilmot, Ark.), who finished the game with six tackles
and set the pace with a sack for a loss of 14 yards on UAPB’s
first possession of the game. Also a factor in Edwards’
selection was his solid pass coverage throughout the game.
The Weevils play their first home game of the season next
Saturday, September 6, when the team hosts Missouri Science and
Technology (formerly Missouri-Rolla) for a 6 p.m. kickoff from
Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium.
The game can be heard live on the radio at KHBM-FM 93.7, which
will be streamed live over the Internet at uamsports.com. The
pre-game coach’s report starts at approximately 5:30 p.m.
The pre-game festivities include the “Walk of Champions” at 4
p.m., when the team enters the stadium by walking through the
tailgating area. |
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