Box Score MONTICELLO, Ark. – The UAM Boll Weevils closed out the 2011 season today with a 35-21 win over the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs.
The Weevils (5-6, 3-3 GAC) got on the board on their first possession after a 74-yard drive down the field in nine plays. Nakita Myles rushed for 50 yards in the drive on five carries, but Greg Taylor finished the drive with a six-yard rush across the goal line to put UAM up 7-0 after the successful kick from Regan Wise.
Southwestern (5-6, 3-5 GAC) evened the game before the end of the quarter off a 12-yard rush from Ryan Stringer. The quarter ended in a 7-7 tie, but the Weevils jumped right back on top after forcing a punt on the Bulldogs’ first possession of the quarter.
Damon Wicker wasted no time in giving UAM back the lead, as the junior found Jamal Nixon on the first play from scrimmage. Nixon took the ball 70 yards down the field for the score to put the Weevils back up 14-6.
UAM got the ball back with 8:09 remaining in the half after two three-and-out possessions from each side. They capitalized on Myles’ running game again, rushing for a total of 19 yards on eight carries, including a one-yard touchdown run to give the Weevils the two-possession lead, 21-7.
The Bulldogs got one of those two back before the end of the half, this time off a 17-yard pass from Dustin Stenta to Eric Charles to cut the UAM lead back to seven, 21-14, as the half expired.
Southwestern tied the score again on their second possession of the half, going 80 yards in 12 plays capped by a quick pass to Bruce Hatton for two yards to even the game at 21. It would turn out to be the only points of the third quarter thanks to a booted field goal attempt from the Bulldogs on their next possession.
UAM would not be denied, however, and closed out the game with two more scores. The first came off an interception by Deshaun Thomas at the fifty yardline that he ran all the way to the house for a pick-six. The Regan Wise kick sailed through to put the Weevils up 28-21.
Damon Wicker dove over the Southwestern defense into the end zone to cap a 30-yard drive to wrap up the scoring on the night and set the final, 35-21 UAM.
Nakita Myles finished his career at UAM with a net 119 yards on 25 carries, including the touchdown. Damon Wicker racked up 175 yards in the air to six different Weevils with one passing and one rushing TD. D.J. Stephens closed his career with 102 all-purpose yards on the day, including 63 yards on special teams.
The Weevils close out the 2011 season with an overall record of 5-6 and an even 5-5 in GAC play. Coach Hud Jackson was thrilled to close out his first season on such a good note. “Everyone played well tonight in all three phases of the game. I am so proud of these seniors and the leadership they have given us all year long. They will be sorely missed and I am just glad that they could go out on a big win.”
