ALVA, Okla. - The University of Arkansas at Monticello football team played their first match-up of the 2023 season on Thursday evening. The Boll Weevils traveled to Alva, Oklahoma to face Great American Conference member Northwestern Oklahoma State University. UAM came out of the match with a 49-24 win to open the year.

UAM went toe-to-toe with the Rangers on Thursday evening, being the first team to put points on the board. Northwestern didn't back down, coming out of the first quarter with a 14-10 lead over Arkansas-Monticello.

The pressure certainly didn't make much of an impact on the Boll Weevil offense, as they would put up 500 total offensive yards in the match-up. Demilon Brown contributed four total touchdowns on the game, connecting with Nick Howard six times for 140 yards and three receiving touchdowns, as well as a rushing touchdown of his own in the fourth.

Brown started off the year with a 23-44 performance with 388 passing yards. Howard led UAM in receiving with six receptions for 140 total yards, with the longest being a 52-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Isaiah Cross was right behind with seven receptions and 100 total yards of his own. On the ground, Gary Ferman led the Boll Weevils with six carries for 65 yards.

Defensively, Jakerrias Scott stood above the rest with nine total tackles and eight solo stops on the night.

Zachary Grisotti led the day in extra point attempts, going 4-4. He also kicked two field goals for UAM.

Post Game
Boll Weevil Head Coach Hud Jackson had this to say after the game: "Extremely proud of this win. Long road trip, first game, and nerves. But we got the win. Players played hard. We have a lot to improve on. Enjoy it till noon tomorrow, then prep starts for Southwestern! Geaux Weevils!! Eat 'em up!"
 

How it Happened

First Quarter

• 12:39 – UAM | Hayden Thomas rushed three yards into the Ranger end zone following a five play, 75-yard drive.
• 09:28 – NWO | Antoine Martin recovered a fumble and scores on the play for a 26 yard touchdown.
• 04:44 – NWO | Blake Jones drove one yard in for a touchdown on a three play, 58-yard push.
• 02:29 – UAM | Zachary Grisotti kicked a 16-yard field goal to cap off a five play, 72-yard series.

Second Quarter

• 13:05 – UAM | Isaiah Cross pulled in a 35-yard pass from Demilon Brown to score after an eight play, 64-yard drive.
• 12:37 – UAM | Nick Howard scored his first touchdown of the year on a 52 yard pass from Brown to conclude the Weevils' five play, 78-yard series.
• 0:00 – UAM | Grisotti kicked a 34-yard field gal for his second of the night, giving Arkansas-Monticello a 27-14 lead at the end the first half.

Third Quarter

• 06:10 – NWO | Jeremy Jackson snagged an 18-yard reception from Caleb Deal for a touchdown after a seven play, 69-yard push.
• 04:11 – NWO | Tyler Furey kicked a 25-yard field goal to put the Rangers back within three.
• 01:46 – UAM | Nich Howard grabbed his second touchdown of the night on a 23-yard reception, followed by a two-point conversion success as Caleb Jacobs rushed into the endzone.

Fourth Quarter

• 11:38 – UAM | Brown ran his way into the endzone to score a 6-yard touchdown, capping of a seven play, 45-yard run.
• 07:43 – UAM | Nick Howard pulled in a 30-yard pass for his hat trick touchdown reception, concluding a three play, 82-yard drive.

Up Next 
The Weevils return to Willis Convoy Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium to host the Bulldogs of Southwestern Oklahoma State University for the 2023 home opener. The game will be held on Saturday, Sep. 9th. Official kickoff for Parent and Family Day is set for 6:00 p.m.

You can find links the official live stream and live stats as tabs on the Weevil Football schedule page at uamsports.com.

Follow Weevil Football on Social Media
Keep up with the Boll Weevils on Social Media! See more content of the UAM football team across the program's different platforms; including X, Instagram, and Facebook. There will also be more media posted to Athletics Department's pages.

All UAM Athletic social media pages can be found at uamsports.com on the Social Media Directory.

#WeevilNation | #EatEmUp