Southern Arkansas University

2000 ‘Rider Football

Southern Arkansas University vs.

University of West Alabama

When: September 30, 2000 Where: Livingston, AL @ Tiger Stadium Kickoff Time: 1:00 p.m.

The Series (UWA 8-10-0)

The Muleriders have played the Tigers 18 times since 1952. SAU won the first three, outscoring UWA a combined 59-15 only for the Tigers to capture the next three by a combined 40-0. The series was interrupted several times after UWA won seven in a row from 1968 through 1975 to take a commanding lead. SAU, however, has won their only two meetings as GSC members, 58-13 in 1998 and 30-24 in 1999, to trim the deficit to only two games.

So far this season...

Southern Arkansas University vs.

@ Southeastern Oklahoma State W 28-15

Valdosta State University L 29-30

Ouachita Baptist University W 10-0

University of West Alabama vs.

@ Stillman College W 35-0

@ Miles College L 7-14

Delta State L 8-33

@ Arkansas-Monticello L 17-57

The Coaches

This will be the fourth game for Southern Arkansas University first-year head coach John Bland (U. of Ark. ‘89) who is now 2-1. The University of West Florida head coach Bobby Johns (Alabama ‘68) is 9-26, starting his fourth year with the Tigers.

The Rankings

The ‘Riders are ranked 19th this week by Don Hansen’s Football Gazette, moving from 23rd last week. SAU was 18th in USA Football as of September 19th. d2Football.com lists only a top 16 but SAU was listed as 17th on the “Others receiving votes.” American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) had SAU 18th last week and will be updated later this week. The Tigers are unranked.

Media Coverage

KVMA 107.9 FM in Magnolia, AR with Dan Gregory and Jay Adcox; WZNJ 106.5 FM in Demopolis, AL with Jason Gardner and Bob Miller.

Last Season

The ‘Riders struggled to nip an upset-minded UWA team 30-24 before a large Homecoming audience. The Tigers had been waxed the previous year by SAU 58-13 in Livingston and came into Magnolia determined to make SAU work for every yard. The Tigers played SAU as tough as any opponent the ‘Riders faced, including the only two losses in overtime by a field goal, but SAU was able to emerge the winner. The winning ‘Rider touchdown came early in the fourth quarter to put SAU up 30-24. Jason Williams’ only missed PAT in his career came after a personal foul penalty by a ‘Rider reserve lineman following the touchdown, which made the PAT equivalent to a 35-yard field goal. This left SAU holding a shaky six-point advantage.

Team Leaders

SAU Leaders:

QB Tim Barrington rushed for 128 net yards vs. OBU last week and now has 359 cumulative yards for three games, an average of 119.7 per contest. He has passed for 341 yards on 21 completions in 43 attempts for a 113.7 average. He now has 700 total offensive yards. OT Michael Boster and C Trey LaValle have been the leaders up front. Defensively, LB’s Marco Board and Eddie Key and DB’s Tony Jennings and Brian Davis have graded the highest.

UWA Leaders:

UWA has an All-American player in defensive end Kendrick Office, a 6-5, 252-pound senior. The biggest player SAU will face this season is defensive tackle Cliff Cobb, a 6-10, 267-pound senior. QB Keith Trimew averages 98 yards a game in total offense.

GSC This Week

Harding University @ Delta State University, 2:30 p.m.

(GSC/CSS Game of the Week)

No.11West Georgia @ Arkansas-Monticello, 2:00 p.m.

No. 20 Arkansas Tech @ Ouachita Baptist, 2:00 p.m.

North Alabama @ Central Arkansas, 7:00 p.m.

No. 13 Valdosta State @ Henderson State, 2:00 p.m.

No. 18 Southern Arkanas @ West Alabama, 1:00 p.m.

GSC Last Week

Arkansas-Monticello 57 - West Alabama 17

West Georgia 34 - Arkansas Tech 17

Valdosta State 53 - Central Arkansas 20

Delta State 42 - North Alabama 35

Harding University 31 - Henderson State 28

Southern Arkansas 10 - Ouachita Baptist 0

GSC Next Week

Arkansas-Monticello @ Ouachita Baptist, 2:00 p.m.

West Alabama @ Arkansas Tech, 2:30 p.m.

Harding University @ Central Arkansas, 7:00 p.m.

Delta State @ Valdosta State, 12:00 p.m.

Henderson State @ North Alabama (HC), 1:30 p.m.

Southern Arkansas @ West Georgia, 6:00 p.m.

Coach John Bland says...

“It is obvious our defense stepped it up and played super. They threw a shutout. It is a credit to our defense, totally. Their offense had the ball a long way to go most of the game but when we turned it over (on offense), giving OBU great field position, we shut them down. Our special teams played solid for the most part except for two fumbles. We saw some improvement where we needed it and there are some things we can correct.”

“It is also obvious our offense is used to running up some big numbers but I have to give OBU credit. They played excellent defense. We did not play as well as we are capable but mostly, it was OBU. They played solid defense. We had some good things happen...some good gains...but (QB) Tim (Barrington) has got to hang on to the ball. He made good decisions and overall, played well. Tim stands out, statistically, but we all played average (on offense).”

“Defensively, we ran well to the ball...when you hold someone to 125 yards, but we missed some tackles, something we can get better at. When we miss tackles and still get to the ball, you have people running to the ball.”

“Concerning UWA, it is the same situation as last year. They practice against us (they run the same offense). They are aware of the option. We’ll have to play well.... we have to plan to slow their offense down. If we play well, we’ll have a good opportunity to win.”

Of Interest

The ‘Rider defense pitched their first shutout of the season in SAU’s 10-0 win over Ouachita Baptist last week. The ‘Riders also blanked Delta State in 1999 24-0 and opened the ‘98 season with a 24-0 spanking of East Central University. Before these three, one would have to go all the way back to 1983 when SAU blanked Harding University 31-0. The 10 points the SAU offense managed against a stingy OBU offense were the fewest points the ‘Riders have scored since a 10-3 win over Henderson State in the rain and mud in 1998. However, SAU coach John Bland had QB Tim Barrington take a knee on the OBU one as time expired, which brought remarks of “Class” by Tiger representatives in the press box. The last time SAU was shut out was in 1996 at Valdosta State by a 42-0 score.

Injuries

The University of West Alabama reported one injury. Senior FB D'Undray Peterson is out. SAU has no injuries to report.

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.......... 2,870

Founded.......... 1909 (SAU ‘76)

Stadium.......... Wilkins (6,000)

Pressbox Phone (870) 235-4117

Facts on UWA

Location.......... Livingston, Alabama

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

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

President.......... Dr. Ed D. Roach

Athletics Director.......... Dee Outlaw

Head Coach.......... Bobby Johns

Asst. Coaches.......... Tony Oglesby, Nolan Atkins, Richard Garris, Joseph Carter, and Craig Hall

Sports Information Dir........... Dee Outlaw

Nickname.......... Tigers

Colors Red, White, and Black

Enrollment.......... 2,100

Founded.......... 1835

Stadium.......... Tiger (7,000)

Pressbox Phone (205) 652-6999/7799

Univ. of West Alabama

Depth Chart

Offense

Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt.

RT 76 Calvin Hampton SO 5-10 257

RT 61 Michael Burkett FR 6-0 266

RG 70 Quinton Jackson FR 6-0 304

RG 73 Ryan Jenkins JR 6-4 302

C 59 Justin Plant SR 6-1 265

C 54 Chris Mitchell SO 5-11 210

LG 69 Anthony Pledger SO 5-10 262

LG 71 Dustin Norris SO 6-1 295

LT 68 Jay Dickson SR 6-3 236

LT 67 Roger Lewis FR 5-11 296

ZR 88 Shawn Brown SO 6-3 184

ZR 16 Russell Cornelius JR 6-0 160

XR 80 Matt Ragland FR 5-10 172

XR 5 Kyle Henderson SO 5-9 175

QB 10 Keith Trimew JR 5-8 165

QB 8 Brett Gilliland FR 5-9 175

FB 34 Jamarcus Murray JR 5-10 197

FB 11 Phillip Keef JR 6-1 213

LAB 23 Michael Allen JR 5-7 178

LAB 30 Andre Pickering JR 5-6 187

RAB 32 Scott Statdhagen SR 6-1 205

RAB 3 Jerry Washington FR 5-7 166

Defense

Pos. No. Name Cl. Ht. Wt.

LE 55 Kendrick Office SR 6-5 252

LE 92 Travis May FR 6-2 245

LT 98 Brian Brown SR 6-3 289

LT 94 Lorenza Adams FR 6-2 246

RT 75 Cliff Cobb SR 6-11 367

RT 66 Jonathan Boler JR 6-3 311

RE 50 Rudy Free SR 6-2 247

RE 38 Jerrell Davis JR 5-7 230

SLB 56 Lacy McBeath JR 5-10 217

SLB 29 Crendall DeRamus SR 5-11 212

MLB 42 Ricky Mundy SO 6-0 237

MLB 58 Pat Pearson JR 5-11 231

WLB 4 Pete Bush SR 5-11 222

WLB 20 Sanchez White JR 5-10 213

FC 18 Tony Badger JR 5-10 161

FC 36 Curtis Graves SR 5-10 186

SS 25 Cedrick Coleman SO 5-10 157

SS 28 Matt McElrath SO 5-11 191

FS 7 George Bates JR 5-9 162

FS 26 LaDarian Johnson FR 5-10 192

BC 9 Deron Rush JR 5-10 184

BC 17 Lamar Russell-Cassell FR 5-10 164

Special Teams

PK 2 Ben Thoma

P 14 Mark Heaton

HO 14 Mark Heaton

DS 68 Jay Dickson

PR 18 Tony Badger

KR 23 Michael Allen

3 Jerry Washington

Southern Arkansas University

2000 Depth Chart

(as of 9/25/2000)

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 12 Derrick Berry RSFR 5-7 150

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 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 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 26 Brian Davis RSFR 6-0 160

SS 24 D.J. Keithley RSFR 5-7 167

FS 20 Eric Woods SO 5-10 185

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