Southern Arkansas University

2000 ‘Rider Football

Volume 1 -- Issue 9 http://www.saumag.edu/athletics Monday, October 30, 2000

Southern Arkansas University vs.

University of Central Arkansas

When: November 4, 2000 Where: Magnolia, AR @ Wilkins Stadium Kickoff Time: 2:00 p.m.

The Coaches

This will be the ninth game for Southern Arkansas University first-year head coach John Bland (U. of Ark. ‘89), who is now 4-4. University Central Arkansas head coach Clint Conque (Nicholls State ‘83) is 1-6 in his first year with the Bears.

The Series (UCA 33-22-5)

UCA leads 30-22-5 according to SAU records but the Bears are ahead 33-22-5 according to UCA. The three wins UCA claims were likely in 1921, ’22 and ’23 when SAU either did not keep records or lost them. UCA found another SAU win recently that makes the loss column by both schools the same. The correct number should probably now be UCA leading 33-22-5. The Bear advantage is the result of winning 14 games without a loss to the ‘Riders between 1978 through 1995. The best SAU could do in that span were ties in 1979 and 1982 and SAU and UCA did not play in 1993 and 1994 when the Bears moved to NCAA Division II and the ‘Riders remained in the NAIA. SAU won five in a row from 1971 through 1974 over the Bruins. UCA’s last win in the series was a 20-13 upset of the eventual GSC champion ‘Riders in Conway in 1997. SAU defeated the Bears 52-31 in Magnolia in 1998 and won 29-20 in Conway in 1999.

Of Interest

SAU set not only two school records but set one new (GSC) conference record and tied another in their impressive 31-21 win over high-scoring Arkansas-Monticello. The new records are 84 rushing attempts, breaking the old (school) record of 73 vs. Arkansas Tech in ’98, and 93 total plays, erasing the old (school) record of 90 vs. Howard Payne University (Texas) in 1993. The ‘Riders have now set three school records in 2000, the first one set in their opener at Southeastern Oklahoma with 523 total yards. The ‘Riders bettered the old GSC record of most rushes in a game (80 by Henderson State vs. UAM in 1996) and tied the most rushing first downs in a game (26) that tied the number Valdosta State piled up vs. Arkansas Tech in 1999.

UAM came into last Saturday’s game with a 7-1 record and ranked 18th nationally. Their offense averaged 44.1 points a game and their defense had allowed opponents 21.1 points an outing. The Boll Weevils averaged 300.1 yards a game passing and 207.1 yards rushing for an average of 507.3 yards a game.

SAU racked up 31 first downs while holding UAM to 15 (26 to 3 by rushing), 362 rushing yards to 73, 411 yards total offense compared to 262, 13 of 20 third down conversion vs. 2 of 11, and possession time of 38:36 to only 21:24. The only negative statistics for SAU were three of five fumbles that were lost and an interception for four turnovers compared by two lost fumbles for UAM and an interception for three turnovers and 11 SAU penalties for a whopping 152 yards to only 7 for 52 for UAM, a 100-yard difference.

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 L 6-24

Arkansas-Monticello W 31-21

University of Central Arkansas vs.

@ Nicholls State L 44-52

Southwest Baptist W 23-7

@ Ouachita Baptist L 16-20

@ Valdosta State L 20-53

North Alabama L 35-37

Harding L 23-31

Henderson State W 23-8

Arkansas-Monticello L 24-44

Delta State L 21-52

The Rankings

Neither team is ranked this week in the National Polls.

Injuries

Injured ‘Riders:

SAU reports no injuries at this time.

Injured Bears:

UCA reports no injuries at this time.

Media Coverage

KVMA 107.9 FM in Magnolia, Ark. with Dan Gregory on play-by-play and Jay Adcox as color comentator; KCON 1230 AM in Conway, Ark. with Bill Johnson on play-by-play, Bobby Tiner on color, and Monty Rowell as engineer.. The game will also be broadcast live on the internet by Creative Sports Network of Conway, Ark. Fans may enter the website at http://www.csnsports.com and by double-clicking the “CSN Live Feed” and the “listen live” hyperlink. An alternate website is http://www.kasr.com.

GSC Last Week

No.4 West Georgia 35 - Harding 13

No. 9 Delta State 52 - Central Arkansas 21

No. 11 Valdosta State 45 - North Alabama 21

SOUTHERN ARKANSAS 31 - Arkansas-Monticello 21

Arkansas Tech 42 - Henderson State 40

West Alabama 27 - Ouachita Baptist 22

GSC This Week

No. 4 West Georgia @ North Alabama, 7:00 p.m.

(GSC/CSS Game of the Week)

No. 9 Delta State @ Arkansas Tech, 2:00 p.m.

Ouachita Baptist @ No. 11 Valdosta State, 12:00 p.m.

Henderson State @ No. 18 Ark.-Monticello, 2:00 p.m.

Central Arkansas @ SOUTHERN ARKANSAS, 2:00 p.m.

Harding @ West Alabama, 1:00 p.m.

GSC Next Week

Arkansas-Monticello@ Delta State, 7:00 p.m.*

Central Arkansas @ Arkansas Tech, 2:00 p.m.

Ouachita Baptist @ Harding, 2:00 p.m.

Southern Arkansas @ Henderson State, 2:00 p.m.

North Alabama @ West Alabama, 1:00 p.m.

Valdosta State @ West Georgia, 6:00 p.m.

(* = 11/09/2000, Thursday)

GSC Rankings

Conf. Overall

Delta State 7-0 9-0

West Georgia 7-0 9-0

Valdosta State 6-1 8-1

Arkansas-Monticello 5-2 7-2

Arkansas Tech 5-2 5-3

SOUTHERN ARKANSAS 3-4 4-4

Harding Univ. 3-4 4-5

Ouachita Baptist 2-5 2-6

North Alabama 2-5 2-6

Central Arkansas 1-6 2-7

West Alabama 1-6 2-7

Henderson State 0-7 1-8

Coach John Bland says...

“This ‘Rider team has been through a tough year. Starting off the year picked to be first (in the Gulf South Conference) and losing several games in the last minute, they could have quit. I am proud of our team not only because they won a big game (Arkansas-Monticello) over a quality opponent, but because of their effort and character.”

“Offensively, I felt like we had a good (game) plan that was simple and our players did a great job of execution. Our backs ran the ball well and protected it once they were running with it. (FB Scott) Schroeder and (HB Forrest) Curry led the way and (HB Kevin) Wilcott had another solid performance. (QB) Tim Barrington played well and made it through the majority of the game until his knee gave him some problems. Ted Williams came in and led the ‘Riders to two scores (a TD and FG) and graded out 88 percent on 24 plays. The o-line played solid with all the moving around that UAM does that confuses opposing offenses that we’ve seen on film, but our line didn’t allow any penetration and we controlled the line of scrimmage. Three statistics that made a difference were 38:21 time of possession, 93 total plays and 84 rushing plays. The last two are SAU (school) records.”

“Defensively, we had the challenge of facing a team that was scoring over 44 points a game and averaging well over 500 yards of total offense. Their QB (Kevin McCarn) was closing in on the (state of) Arkansas record for passing yardage. On top of that, UAM was competing for a play-off spot. UAM had been making big plays in every game we had seen on film. Our secondary did a great job of defending the pass but most of all, did not give up the big play. (CB) Tony Jennings had a great day for us, holding their big-play wide receivers in check and (SS) Brian Davis had another solid performance. (LB) Marcoles Board led the way for us on the tackle chart with seven unassisted and two assisted, a tackle for a loss and a pass broken up. (DE) Michael Webb made some things happen on the D-Line along with (DE) Kenny Pettway putting some pressure on the QB.”

“Garron Spickard had another solid performance and on his biggest punt of the day, he pinned UAM back on their own six-yard line. Jason Williams kicked off well and sealed the victory with a field goal in the closing seconds.”

“We came out of the game without any major injuries. Barrington will be in the same condition as last week and will probably play. (FB) Larnelle Sinegal will more than likely be close to 100 percent this week.”

“UCA will be another huge test for our team. They have not won many games but versus all of their opponents, they have shown that they are explosive on offense and their defense plays well when they prevent the big play. We will need to play solid for four quarters to put ourselves in a position to win.”

Last Season

The ‘Riders took a 7-0 lead on a 92-yard, 12-play drive in the first quarter that was finished by a one-yard keeper by QB Adam Pendergrass and Jason Williams’ PAT. In the second period, Keith Flanigan’s 19-yard run and Justin Smith’s kick evened the score as the Bears answered with a 91-yard, 10-play drive. In the third stanza, the underdog Bears took the lead when Flanigan scored from the five to complete a 10-play, 81-yard march with Smith’s conversion making it 14-7. HB Santario Morris scooted for 22 yards and Williams booted the PAT to even the score 14-14, capping a five-play, 54-yard march with 7:42 left in the third period.

The ‘Rider defense picked up a safety with 7:35 still in the third quarter and Williams added a 43-yard field goal with 1:29 to go in the third, 19-14 heading into the final quarter. UCA was not through, taking the lead again on a 72-yard pass reception by Jamael McQueen from QB Kevin Nawracaj. A pass from Nawracaj was intercepted on a 2-point PAT try to leave UCA ahead 20-19, 14:49 remaining.

Williams split the uprights with a 40-yard field goal with 7:07 to play to put SAU ahead for good at 22-20 and HB Kevin Wilcott ran 14-yards for the final touchdown and Williams’ kick ended the scoring, 29-20, 6:44 left.

Team Leaders

SAU Leaders:

QB Tim Barrington, playing with a brace on his injured left knee, added 89 yards rushing on 18 carries vs. UAM and now has 678 yards rushing in seven games (he was unable to play vs. Arkansas Tech). HB Forrest Curry has 520 yards for the season, HB Kevin Wilcott 279 and FB Scott Schroeder’s season-best 98 yards on 23 totes vs. UAM gives him 243 yards this season. Offensive linemen Michael Boster, Trey LaValle, Shane Clancy, Rory Green and Tate Smith all graded high against UAM with perhaps their best effort of the season in controlling the line of scrimmage. Defensively, CB Tony Jennings and SS Brian Davis earned praise from SAU coaches, DE’s Mike Webb and Kenny Pettway were mentioned, LB’s Marco Board and DeVares Campbell made big plays and d-linemen Joey Robinson, Kevin Dotson and Chad James drew high marks.

UCA Leaders:

The Bears surprised unbeaten Delta State in the first half, leading 21-17 in their game last Saturday at Conway. Powerful DSU roared back with a strong second half surge to win 52-21, shutting out UCA the last half. UCA came back from a 10-0 deficit with a 50-yard interception for a touchdown by Chris Jordan and a 16-yard pass play from QB Andy Rogers to Keith Eggins to lead 14-10. After DSU regained the lead 17-14, Rogers threw a six-yard scoring pass to Carl Thomas and Justin Smith’s third PAT of the game put UCA up 21-17 at the half.

UCA managed only 54 yards rushing against the fierce DSU defense but Rogers passed for 184 yards, completing 19 of 33 attempts with two scores and only one interception. Thomas caught six passes for 55 yards and a touchdown and Steve Nolan had five receptions for 49 yards. Matt Hartsfield had 11 tackles with one for a loss of two yards and shared a sack for a loss of five yards. Brandon Eason had eight tackles and had a share of the sack.Stacey Hill, Tom Fisco and Latorrie White had seven tackles with White getting a tackle for a minus three and a sack for minus three.TB Shaun Mitchell is UCA’s leading rusher for the year with 327 yards, Rogers has thrown for a whopping 2,472 yards, WR Draylon Galloway has caught 52 passes for 575 yards, KR Tony Lockhart has returned 26 kickoffs for 548 yards and Fisco is the leading tackler with 74 total.

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 UCA

Location.......... Conway, Arkansas

Conference.......... Gulf South

Affiliation.......... NCAA Division II

President.......... Dr. Winfred Thompson

Athletics Director.......... Dr. William Lide

Head Coach.......... Clint Conque

Asst. Coaches.......... Brooks Hollingsworth, Kevin Fouquier, Tony Gilbert, Rob Richardson, Henry Briscoe, Ken Collums, Don Struebing,

Todd McGhghy

Sports Information Dir........... Steve East

Nickname.......... Bears

Colors Purple & Gray

Enrollment.......... 9,000

Founded.......... 1908

Stadium.......... Estes Stadium (8,500)

Pressbox Phone. (501) 450-5743/3368

Internet Address www.uca.edu/divisions/athletics/

University of Central Arkansas

Depth Chart

(as of 10/23/00)

Offense

Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt.

QB 11 Andy Rogers JR 6-2 198 QB 10 Vincent Saylor FR 6-1 195

TB 20 Keith Eggins RSFR 6-1 195

TB 5 Shaun Mitchell SO 5-10 190

W 4 Draylon Galloway SO 5-9 171

W 82 Chris WIlliams JR 5-11 180

X 23 Tony Lockhart JR 6-1 192

X 85 Cedric Henson FR 5-11 180

Y 34 Rick Braden SO 6-1 209 Y 81 Steve Nolan FR 6-2 195

Z 3 Carl Thomas JR 6-0 180

Z 88 James Baber SO 6-2 207

LT 57 Mitch Kellar SR 6-4 302 LT 71 Patrick Smith SO 6-4 275

LG 77 Tony Fincher JR 6-4 282 LG 63 Raymond Koonce RSFR 6-0 276

C 64 Chris McClenny JR 6-3 282

C 74 David Davenport JR 6-3 270

RG 74 David Davenport JR 6-3 270

RG 70 Dustin Treat RSFR 6-3 313

RT 79 Jason Masters RSFR 6-5 265

RT 71 Patrick Smith SO 6-4 275

Defense

Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt.

DE 98 Kelly Keegan JR 6-4 238

DE 52 Latorrie White FR 6-3 235

NG 95 Jon Barbaree RSFR 6-2 265

NG 51 Thom Miller RSFR 6-0 246

DT 72 Brandon Eason FR 6-3 240

DT 61 LeCamio Frazier SO 5-11 267

WLB 99 Matt Hartsfield JR 6-2 215

WLB 54 Anthony Moore SO 5-11 255

SLB 12 Stacey Hill SO 6-1 207

SLB 32 Mike Hill JR 5-9 212

MLB 24 Will Shook SO 5-11 222

MLB 45 Ashford Lee FR 5-11 218

ZIP 83 Tom Fisco JR 6-1 222

ZIP 44 Clint Scheel SO 5-11 220

BC 30 Chris Collins SO 5-10 180

BC 6 Bobby Chaten SO 5-11 168

FS 16 Saleh Francis FR 6-1 185 FS 37 Chris Jordan RSFR 6-2 194

ROV 15 Todd Knoll RSFR 6-3 199

ROV 2 Delamar Fraction SO 5-11 189

FC 29 Nicholas Bradley FR 5-11 175

FC 18 Dale Davis SO 5-11 178

Special Teams

PK 19 Justin Smith SO 5-10 178

DS 71 Patrick Smith SO 6-4 276

P 94 John Newberry FR 5-10 150

PR 85 Cedric Henson FR 5-11 180

KR 23 Tony Lockhart JR 6-1 192

Southern Arkansas University

2000 Depth Chart

(as of 10/30/2000)

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 32 Rodney Evans FR 6-0 183

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 39 Larnelle Sinegal FR 5-9 210

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 43 Michael Webb JR 6-1 230

DE 77 Kenny Pettway FR 6-3 204

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 17 Jordan Babineaux FR 5-11 180

SS 20 Eric Woods SO 5-10 185

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

HO 13 Garron Spickard