EL DORADO, Ark. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello football team won the first-ever “Boomtown Classic” by a final score of 17-6 over the Southern Arkansas Muleriders.

The win marks the first victory for UAM (5-6, 4-4 GSC) over SAU (3-7, 2-6 GSC) in El Dorado and the first win over SAU since Gwaine Mathews became head coach in 2005.

Freshman Joe Lamoureux connected on a 29-yard field goal attempt to open the game’s scoring with 2:57 left in the second quarter. That drive began after sophomore Cantrelle Monk blocked a punt on the SAU 30-yard line, which was recovered at the SAU 16-yard line.

The UAM defense took control on the next drive with senior Lowen Baptiste intercepting an Austin Civita pass at the UAM 32-yard line and returned the pick 34 yards to the SAU 34-yard line. On the ensuing possession, junior receiver Jywin Ceaser caught a 38-yard pass from junior quarterback Scott Buisson, which at the time, was the longest play from scrimmage of the entire game.

Two plays later, Buisson found Ceaser in the end zone for a five-yard touchdown strike with 12 seconds remaining in the half, UAM’s only offensive touchdown of the game.

The defense struck again in the third quarter with junior James Jackson intercepting Civita and returning the pick 43 yards for a touchdown to put the Weevils up 17-0 with 13:25 left in the third quarter.

SAU reached the scoreboard on its last possession of the game on a one-yard touchdown run by Quintin Porter. After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against SAU, Noe Cueva’s extra-point attempt was wide left to finalize the scoring at 17-6.

Buisson finished the game going 6 of 21 through the air for 93 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Buisson’s counterpart, Civita, completed 19 of 39 passes for 225 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions.

Junior Johnny Polite recorded 13 carries for 34 yards. Buisson had 17 carries for 22 yards. SAU was led by Chris Metcalf, who tallied nine carries for 12 yards. The Muleriders were held to only one rushing yard as a team.

Senior tight end Charles Spann had a team-high three catches for 39 yards. Ceaser had two catches for 43 yards and one touchdown. SAU was led by Rodney Brown’s six catches for 63 yards.