Southern Arkansas University
2000
‘Rider Football
Volume 1 -- Issue 7 http://www.saumag.edu/athletics
Monday, October 16, 2000
Southern
Arkansas University vs.
Arkansas Tech
University
When: October 21, 2000 Where:
Russellville, AR @ Buerkle Field Kickoff Time: 2:00 p.m.
Last
Season
SAU and ATU played in a winner-take-all
situation at Russellville. With the GSC title at stake and a berth in the
national NCAA Division II playoffs, the loser would be finished for the season
and nothing more than the bridesmaid. Jason Williams drilled a 45-yard field
goal to put SAU ahead 3-0 in the first quarter. Justin Powell capped a long
drive by scoring from the one and Paul Peletz converted to put Tech ahead 7-3
in the second quarter. Santario Morris’ one-yard run finished a long ‘Rider
drive and Williams kicked SAU to a 10-7 advantage at the half.
After a scoreless third period, Tim
Barrington scored from the four to end a 75-yard march and Williams’ PAT
extended the SAU lead to 17-7. Just as SAU was smelling their second
championship in three years, Peletz booted a 22-yard field goal for ATU midway
the final quarter to cut it to 17-10, Powell scored with 3:43 remaining and
Peletz’ kick tied it 17-17.
The ‘Riders stormed back to reach the ATU
36 and appeared ready to end it with a field goal or touchdown. However,
back-to-back penalties for 31 yards took SAU out of good field position and
later proved fatal in the outcome.
ATU went first in overtime and SAU’s
defense stuffed them, forcing fourth and eight at the 23. Peletz came on to
kick a field goal of 40 yards for the winning points.
On first down from the 25 for SAU,
Barrington kept for what would have been a first down on the ATU 15 but the
ball popped free when he hit the ground. An official nearest the action pointed
to the ground insisting it caused the ball to come out but a second overruled
stating that Tech recovered the fumble, end of game, championship ATU, season
over for SAU.
The
Series (ATU 33-24-4)
This
is the 62nd meeting between the Muleriders and Wonder Boys in a series that
began in 1930 with a scoreless deadlock. The Techsters lead the series 33-24-4.
The ‘Riders and Wonder Boys played for the Gulf South Conference championship
last year in Russellville with ATU making a late comeback to tie the game and
then break the hearts of the ‘Riders with a field goal in overtime for a 20-17
win and the title. SAU walloped ATU 42-7 in 1997 in Magnolia in route to the
GSC championship and won at home in 1998 43-13. The Wonder Boys eked out a
28-26 decision in Russellville in 1996 when SAU’s final play for a 2-point
conversion attempt was ruled short of the goal line. Tech’s longest win streak
in the series was 11 of 12 from 1960 to 1971. SAU won five in a row from 1972
through 1976. The remaining years have been nip and tuck.
The
Coaches
This will be the seventh game for
Southern Arkansas University first-year head coach John Bland (U. of Ark. ‘89),
who is now 3-3. Arkansas Tech
University head coach Steve Mullins (Arkansas-Monticello ‘80) is 21-18 in his
fourth year with the Wonder Boys.
So far
this season...
Southern
Arkansas University vs.
@ Southeastern Oklahoma State W 28-15
Valdosta State L 29-30
Ouachita Baptist W 10-0
@ West Alabama W 35-21
@ West Georgia L 28-38
Delta State L 28-30
Arkansas Tech University vs.
vs. Carson-Newman L 26-49
Harding University W 42-24
@ West Georgia L 17-34
@ Ouachita Baptist W 35-14
West Alabama W 42-20
@
Arkansas-Monticello L
38-45
The
Rankings
The ‘Riders and the Wonder Boys plunged in the ratings with
losses to powerful opposition last week, SAU losing to unbeaten Delta State
30-28 in the final seconds and ATU falling to talented Arkansas-Monticello
45-38. In the only poll available by noon Monday, SAU was 25th and ATU 39th in
Don Hansen’s National Weekly Football Gazette Top 40.
Injuries
Injured
‘Riders:
Starting
senior quarterback Tim Barrington was to be evaluated by a doctor Monday to
determine if he will be available Saturday. Barrington, bruised and battered
coming into last Saturday’s game with Delta State, further aggravated a gimpy
leg in pre-game warmups and finally had to go to the bench for the final eight
minutes of the game, unable to continue. Starting defensive tackle, Chad James,
who has limited playing time this year because of a broken jaw before the
season, suffered an ankle injury and also was to see a doctor to determine his
playing status for Saturday.
Injured Wonder Boys:
Arkansas Tech reports no injuries at
this time.
GSC
Last Week
No.9
Delta State 30 - No. 23 Southern Arkansas 28
No. 5 West Georgia 31 - West
Alabama 10
No. 22 Arkansas-Monticello 45 - Arkansas Tech 38
No. 12 Valdosta State 50 -
Harding University 39
Ouachita Baptist 30 - North
Alabama 29
Central Arkansas 23 - Henderson State 8
GSC
This Week
West
Georgia @ Ouachita Baptist, 6:00 p.m.
(GSC/CSS
Game of the Week)
Arkansas-Monticello
@ Central Arkansas, 1:30 p.m.
SOUTHERN
ARKANSAS @ Arkansas Tech, 2:00 pm
(Homecoming)
Henderson
State @ Delta State, 3:00 p.m.
West
Alabama @ Valdosta State, 12:00 p.m.
North
Alabama @ Harding University, 2:00 p.m.
(Homecoming)
GSC
Next Week
Arkansas-Monticello @ *SOUTHERN
ARKANSAS, 2:30 p.m.
Arkansas Tech @ *Henderson State, 2:00 p.m.
Delta State @ *Central Arkansas, 3:00 p.m.
Harding Univ. @ *West Georgia, 12:30 p.m.
Valdosta State @ North Alabama, 6:00 p.m.
West Alabama @ *Ouachita Baptist, 2:00 p.m.
(* Homecoming)
GSC
Rankings
Conf. Overall
Delta State 5-0 7-0
West Georgia 5-0 7-0
Arkansas-Monticello 4-1 6-1
Valdosta State 4-1 6-1
Arkansas Tech 3-2 3-3
SOUTHERN ARKANSAS 2-3 3-3
Harding Univ. 2-3 3-4
Ouachita Baptist 2-3 2-4
North Alabama 2-3 2-4
Central Arkansas 1-4 2-5
Henderson State 0-5 1-6
West Alabama 0-5 1-6
Coach John
Bland says...
“We feel
like every week we are getting better as a team and are as good as anybody in
the league. Every game we have lost has come down to a break or two and we just
have not made those plays. I hate it for our players because I truly believe
that we have a better team than a 3-3 record shows. These young men have a true
test now with the (national) playoffs and (GSC) championship chances all but
lost, they are playing for pride.”
“In (last)
Saturday’s game, we played solid in all phases of the game. Offensively,
(quarterback) Tim Barrington played a courageous game, playing on a bad leg and
doing a good job. He made some big plays for us throwing the ball to (wide
receivers) Michael Beck and Jason Bennett. Both of those guys had spectacular
catches for big gains. (Quarterback) Ted Williams came in as a true freshman
and took us in for a go-ahead touchdown. I was proud of him to come in under
the circumstances. He handled the pressure like a champion. Our offensive line
played solid and were led by junior (center) Trey LaValle.”
“Defensively,
we held Delta State to their season-low on yardage and well below their
points-per-game average. (Linebackers) Marco Board and Eddie Key and
(cornerback) Tony Jennings led our defense to an overall solid performance. I
felt like we played them (Delta State) better than any other team this year. We
have a lot of young guys on our defense who are playing like veterans.”
“(Punter)
Garron Spickard did a great job punting by putting one right at their 10-yard
line and hitting another high and long that brought the fans out of their
seats.”
“On
injuries, Barrington will be checked at the doctor Monday. (Defensive tackle)
Chad James had an ankle injury that will be checked. There are several other
players who are banged up and need treatment, but as far as I know, everyone
will play Saturday.”
“Tech is going to be another
challenge for our football team. Especially playing them up there in
Russellville. We have tremendous respect for their program and plan on
preparing the same way we have all year. They are sitting in a similar spot
that we are in that we each have several conference losses, but we both feel
that our teams can compete at a championship level. It should be a good
football game.”
Team
Leaders
SAU
Leaders:
Quarterback Tim Barrington gave a courageous effort, saddled
with injuries, vs. DSU. He rushed for only 43 net yards with a limp but had 188
yards passing on seven completions in 14 attempts, a touchdown and no
interceptions. True freshman Ted Williams, with no game experience, came in to
finish the final seven minutes and responded like a veteran. Wide receivers
Michael Beck and Jason Bennett caught four passes each, Beck’s for 129 yards
and a touchdown and Bennett’s for 58 yards. Barrington’s 86-yard scoring pass
to Beck was only two yards shy of the SAU school record. Center Trey LaValle
graded the best of the offensive linemen.
Linebackers Marco Board and Eddie Key and cornerback Tony
Jennings led the SAU defense. Key had 15 tackles, eight of them solos, three
for minus nine yards, a sack for minus five and a pass broken up. Defensive
linemen Joey Robinson, Matt Turner and Kevin Dotson received high grades.
Garron Spickard was cited for his steady punting effort.
ATU
Leaders:
The
Wonder Boys had two players reach the rushing century mark vs.
Arkansas-Monticello. Tailback Travis Horn had 109 net yards on 21 carries and
two touchdowns and quarterback Josh Price had 100 on 16 totes. Price was only
seven of 27 with three interceptions for 78 yards and one touchdown passing and
backup George Harp was seven of 16 with an interception for 119 yards and two
touchdowns. Ace receiver Greg Washington was held to two catches for six yards.
Cornerback Justin Powell, who scored
twice against SAU in the overtime classic last year on the ‘Riders before
moving to defense this year, and end B.J. Bayer had nine tackles each to lead
ATU’s defense against UAM. All-GSC free safety Patrick Pesnell had eight.
All-GSC kicker Paul Peletz, who kicked the game-winning field goal against SAU
last year, was one of two on field goals with UAM blocking one of his two
attempts.
Media
Coverage
KVMA 107.9 FM in Magnolia,
Ark. with Dan Gregory and Jay Adcox; KWKK 100.9 FM in Russellville, Ark.
with Dee Doyle and Don Dempsey. Arkansas Tech also provides live game
broadcasts on the internet at
http://athletics.atu.edu/gameday.htm
or at http://www.riverhitskwkk.com.
Facts
on SAU
Location.......... Magnolia, Arkansas
Conference...... Gulf South
Affiliation......... NCAA Division II
President......... Dr. Steven G. Gamble
Athletics Director............... Jay Adcox
Head Coach.... John Bland
Asst. Coaches. Tommy Laurendine, Carey Baker, Clay
Jennings and Jason Sanders
Sports Information Dir........ Landon Stevens
Nickname........ Muleriders
Colors Royal Blue & Old Gold
Enrollment....... 3,035
Founded.......... 1909 (SAU ‘76)
Stadium........... Wilkins (6,000)
Pressbox Phone. (870) 235-4117
Internet
Address http://www.saumag.edu/athletics
Facts
on ATU
Location.......... Russellville, Arkansas
Conference...... Gulf South
Affiliation......... NCAA Division II
President......... Dr. Robert C. Brown
Athletics Director............... Gil Cloud
Head Coach.... Steve Mullins
Asst. Coaches. Greg Ricono, Mark Nelson and Julian
Brown
Sports Information Dir........ Larry Smith
Nickname........ Wonder Boys
Colors Forest Green & Old Gold
Enrollment....... 5,169
Founded.......... 1909
Stadium........... Buerkle Field (6,000)
Pressbox Phone. (501) 968-0246
Internet
Address http://athletics.atu.edu/
Arkansas
Tech University
Depth Chart
Offense
Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt.
TE 83 Brandon Lawrence SR 6-5 260
TE 81 Tom
Sawyer SR 6-1 195
RT 68 Danny Albright SO 6-4 315
RT 69 Ryan Meyers SR 6-2 260
RG 64 Gabe Cerasale SR 6-2 285
RG 54 John Heckel SO 6-2 295
C 62 Clint Reed JR 6-3 275
C 71 Blake West SO 6-2 275
LG 63 Ben Moreland SR 6-0 240
LG 74 Seth Nilson SR 6-2 335
LT 75 Matt Nelson SR 6-4 310
LT 67 Joe Guinn FR 6-6 310
SE 26 Tyree Davis JR 5-9 170
SE 85 Jamey South SR 6-4 205
FL
1 Greg Washington JR 5-7 160
FL 80 Isaac Stroud FR 6-2 180
QB
3 Josh Price JR 6-0 210
QB
7 George Harp JR 6-3 215
FB 37 Leslie Hendrix SR 6-0 225
FB 34 Matt Elroy JR 5-10 205
TB 32 Travis Horn JR 5-10 200
TB 48 Tim Freeman SO 6-1 190
Defense
Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt.
LE 82 David Jenkins SO 6-3 245
LE 95 Jeff Carter SO 6-3 260
LT 59 Brad House SO 6-1 280
LT 34 Jeremy Gray-Bush SO 6-4 280
RT 96 Jimmy Bridges SO 6-2 260
RT 51 Jeremy Patterson JR 5-8 275
RE 46 B.J. Bayer JR 6-2 245
RE 50 Tommy Edwards FR 6-3 230
OLB 13 Wes Ontiveros SR 6-1 235
OLB 41 Pete Carter FR 6-3 210
MLB 44 Scott Pryor JR 6-0 235
MLB 42 Heath King FR 6-2 235
OLB 11 Kenyon Miller SO 5-11 200
OLB 49 Cedric Flemons FR 6-3 195
CB 29 Jeremy Lawson JR 6-0 190
CB 28 Wayne Hall JR 5-10 170
CB 25 Rodney Woodruff JR 5-8 165
CB 16 Roy Lee FR 5-10 190
SS 23 Justin Powell SO 5-9 185
SS 30 Brent Domerese FR 6-1 200
FS
6 Patrick Pesnell SR 5-7 175
FS 21 Ryan Johnson FR 5-9 180
Special
Teams
K 10 Paul Peletz SR 6-0 190
DS 75 Matt
Nelson SR 6-4 310
P 22 Jon Parker SR 6-2 210
DS 81 Tom Sawyer SR 6-1 195
Southern
Arkansas University
2000 Depth Chart
(as of 10/16/2000)
Offense
Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt.
TE 85 Adam Creek SR 6-2 240
TE 42 Ryan Baker RSFR 6-1 200
LT 69 Michael Boster SR 6-4 300
LT 74 Tim Hopkins JR 5-11 247
LG 75 Shane Clancy JR 5-11 267
LG 60 Cody Harrison FR 5-5 240
C 50 Trey LaValle JR 6-1 260
C 66 Ty Ford SR 6-1 250
RG 76 Rory Green JR 6-0 290
RG 72 Bill Parker SO 6-2 264
RT 73 Tate Smith JR 6-1 240
RT 70 Jonathan Cox SR 6-2 270
SE 15 Michael Beck SR 5-11 166
SE 21 Jason Bennett SO 5-10 170
QB
5 Tim Barrington SR 6-0 205
QB 16 Ted Williams FR 5-8 187
LHB 2 Kevin
Wilcott SR 5-7 177
LHB 22 Santario Morris JR 5-10 210
RHB
9 Forrest Curry JR 5-10 180
RHB
8 Randy Givens RSFR 5-9 185
FB 33 Scott Schroeder SOTR 5-11 225
FB 22 Santario Morris JR 5-10 210
Defense
Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt.
DE 84 Joey Robinson JR 6-3 251
DE 99 Matt Turner SR 6-3 240
DT 90 Chad James SO 6-1 240
DT 65 Mario Olvera FR 6-0 268
NG 97 Kevin Dotson SR 6-1 280
NG 52 Michael Christian RSFR 6-0 253
DE 77 Kenny Pettway FR 6-3 204
DE 43 Michael Webb JR 6-1 230
MLB
1 Marcoles Board SR 6-2 220
MLB 47 Alfonzo Davis SR 5-8 205
SLB 14 DeVares Campbell SO 5-11 200
SLB 11 Tim Rose RSFR 5-11 192
WLB
7 Eddie Key JR 6-2 206
WLB 44 Andrekus Dixon FR 6-2 187
LCB
4 Tony Jennings SR 5-9 170
LCB 27 Justin Lemon FR 5-7 164
RCB
6 Carl Bucknor SO 5-10 185
RCB 29 John Bradley FR 5-9 170
SS 20 Eric Woods SO 5-10 185
SS 24 D.J. Keithley RSFR 5-7 167
FS 26 Brian Davis RSFR 6-0 160
FS 31 Austin Taylor FR
5-9 170
Special
Teams
K/P
10 Jason
Williams
P/K 13 Garron
Spickard
DS 59 Ernest
Pressley
KR 2 Kevin
Wilcott