Box Score

MONTICELLO – The University of Arkansas at Monticello football team fell short of securing its best season since 2004 with a 16-23 loss to the Muleriders of Southern Arkansas on “Senior Day.”

Coming into the contest UAM had the Gulf South Conference’s best total offense and rushing offense, but couldn’t overcome the rushing attack of SAU, which racked up 249 yards on the ground on 47 attempts. 

UAM finished with only 113 rushing yards, less than half of the team’s average. Through the air, the team completed 22 of 39 passes for 245 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Scott Buisson (5-10, 175, Metairie, La.) led the charge once again, completing 22 of 38 passes for 245 yards and two touchdown tosses.

Buisson had two favorite targets in the game, both seniors. Tim Harris (6-2, 210, Kansas City, Mo.) caught eight passes for 72 yards and one touchdown, while teammate Clarence Denmark (5-11, 185, Jacksonville, Fla.) also hauled in eight passes for a game-best 111 yards and one touchdown.

On the ground, Buisson carried the ball 17 times for 81 yards, averaging out to 4.8 yards per touch. Sophomore Johnny Polite (5-5, 190, McGehee, Ark.) turned in 31 yards on 13 carries.

The Weevils end their season with an overall record of 7-4 and a 5-3 GSC mark, giving the team its best finish in the Gwaine Mathews era.

SAU was able to pick up only its second win of the season, improving to 2-8 overall and 2-6 in the GSC. The Muleriders were led by freshman runningback Mark Johnson, who carried the ball 21 times for 142 yards, giving him a game average of 6.8 yards per carry.

UAM held a special “Senior Day” presentation prior to the kickoff, bidding farewell to 12 seniors, who played their last game as a Boll Weevil.

Those seniors are: Larry White (Atlanta, Ga.), Scooter White (Lakeland, Fla.), Danzel Issac (Gainesville, Fla.), Tim Harris (Kansas City, Mo.), Clarence Denmark (Jacksonville, Fla.), Mike Dunn (Orlando, Fla.), Solomon Edwards (Portland, Ark.), Corrie Ross (Shreveport, La.), Nick Green (Hammond, La.), J.R. Robison (Algiers, La.), John Meadows (Memphis, Tenn.) and Joe Wilson (West Memphis, Ark.).