GAME NOTES (PDF) | LIVE COVERAGE

MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello football team crosses the Arkansas-Oklahoma state line for the second time of the 2015 season this Saturday, October 3 to face off against Oklahoma Baptist University for the first time in school history.

Kickoff is set for noon at Hurt Field in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The game can be heard live on the UAM Sports Network at KHBM-FM 93.7 in Monticello and online at UAMsports.com. Links to live audio, stats and streaming video can be found at www.UAMsports.com/coverage.aspx.

FIRST EVER MEETING WITH OKLAHOMA BAPTIST
Saturday's match-up with Oklahoma Baptist University is the first ever meeting between the Weevils and Bison on the football gridiron. OBU reinstated its football program in 2013 following a 73-year hiatus. The Bison finished 8-3 in 2014 participating in the Sooner Athletic Conference and 4-7 in 2013, its first year of football since 1940. OBU became the 12th member of the Great American Conference in July of 2014 and is in year two of three of candidacy status with the NCAA Division II. Prior to its decision to join the NCAA, OBU won the NAIA Learfield Cup as the top athletics department in the nation for two years in a row and finished second last year. OBU is now a part of the GAC schedule for all sports, but is not eligible for conference or national postseason participation until it becomes a full member of the NCAA. Both teams come into Saturday's game with an 0-4 overall record. UAM and Oklahoma Baptist have two common opponents so far this season in Arkansas Tech and Harding. OKBU took Harding to overtime in the season opener in a 20-19 loss before losing at Arkansas Tech the next week 50-7.

LAST TIME OUT
Last Saturday, the Weevils held 12th-ranked Harding to 12 points in the first half and zero touchdowns in the first quarter, but the Bisons scored 28 points in the third quarter and eventually beat UAM 47-21 in Searcy. It was the first time Harding has been held without a touchdown in the opening quarter since its 2014 match-up with Ouachita on October 18. Harding started its 28-point third quarter effort following a 72-yard kickoff return to open the half. The Weevils answered with two touchdowns in the third quarter, including a 90-yard pass from senior quarterback Hunter Leppert to sophomore receiver Jalen Tolliver. It was the fourth pass in UAM history for at least 90 yards, the first of that distance since 2000, and the longest pass allowed by Harding in First Security Stadium history.

LEPPERT CLIMBS CLOSER TO FIFTH PLACE ALL-TIME PASSING
With his 301 yards in this past Saturday's loss to Harding and his average of 279 passing yards per game, UAM senior quarterback Hunter Leppert is on pace to move into fifth place all-time at UAM in passing yardage in the next two games. The Minden, Louisiana native how has 4,619 career yards on 383 completions. Next on the list is Joe Don Samples (1993-96) with 4,963 yards. Leppert has 37 career touchdown passes, which ties Samples for sixth all-time in that category. Including last week's game against Harding, Leppert now has seven games with at least 300 passing yards.

SCOUTING THE BISON
Saturday's game against Oklahoma Baptist is the second straight game against the Bison mascot for UAM following its loss to the Harding Bisons last Saturday. Oklahoma Baptist is 0-4, most recently losing 41-20 to East Central this past Saturday at home in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The Bisons rank near the bottom of most GAC statistical categories, including 11th in scoring, 11th in total offense, 10th in total defense, 10th in rushing defense and 10th in passing offense. OBU quarterback Dezmond Stegall is currently leading the team in passing and rushing with 342 yards through the air on 32 completions, while also having 245 rushing yards on 33 carries. Stegall 137 rushing yards on 13 carries in last week's game against East Central.

A CLOSER LOOK THE NUMBERS
- UAM ranks 29th in D2 in passing offense (290.5 yards per game).
- UAM ranks 8th in D2 in passing yards per completion (16.6 yards per catch).
- UAM is one of four teams in D2 to still be perfect in red zone scoring.
- UAM is tied for 1st in D2 in tackles for loss allowed (3 per game).
- UAM's Jeremy Jackson ranks 33rd in D2 in total kick return yards (267).
- UAM's Jamie McGee ranks 24th in D2 in field goal percentage (80 percent).
- UAM's Hunter Leppert ranks 14th in D2 in passing touchdowns (11).
- UAM's Hunter Leppert ranks 6th in D2 in passing yards per completion (17.15).
- UAM's Ofisa Kose ranks 27th in D2 in solo tackles (6 per game).
- UAM's Jalen Tolliver ranks 1st in D2 in yards per reception (33.22).
- UAM's Trevon Smith ranks 7th in D2 in yards per reception (27.25).
- OKBU ranks 12th in D2 with three blocked kicks this year.
- OKBU ranks 38th in D2 in punting average (36.28 yards per punt).
- OKBU ranks 27th in D2 in fourth down conversions (63.6 percent).
- OKBU ranks 162nd out of 169 in red zone offense (40 percent scoring).
- OKBU's Zach Bishop ranks 25th in D2 in total tackles (11 per game).