Magnolia, AR--In route to a 28-15 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State University last Saturday in Durant, Okla., Southern Arkansas University shattered a school record in the process. The relentless ground assault by the Muleriders wishbone chewed up the Savage defense for 523 net rushing yards, breaking the old record of 470 yards set in 1970 against Central Methodist College of Missouri.

The 'Rider coaching staff said they were not aware of the awesome total collected by their infantry troops until they researched official game statistics. Four fumbles, three of them lost to the Savages, snuffed out promising SAU scoring threats. Otherwise, SOSU seldom stopped the 'Riders.

SAU head coach John Bland said, "We made too many mistakes…we put the ball on the ground too much and we had some foolish penalties that we can not correct. It is good to make corrections after a win (instead of a loss). We saw some things we needed to improve on but we did some things right…we set a (school) record. There were a lot of positive things. We had two (quarterback Tim Barrington and halfback Forrest Curry) who rushed for over 100 yards (Barrington had 148 net yards and Curry 122)."

Bland added, "Our receivers made some catches and our defense played well. A lot of redshirts (freshmen) and (true) freshmen stepped up (on defense). They will have to continue to do so and I'm sure they will."

Offensive line coach Tommy Laurendine said center Trey LaValle and tackle Michael Boster graded the highest in the offensive line. Defensive coordinator Carey Baker said that no one in particular had exceptional games on defense but that several played well. Baker said that SAU's young untested secondary played the best and secondary coach Clay Jennings added that he was pleased with the play of his charges. Free safety Eric Woods intercepted two passes and returned them 103 yards, one of them for a 67-yard touchdown. Baker also said that backup linebacker Tim Rose ran to the ball exceptionally well.

Looking ahead to Valdosta State University here September 16 in the Gulf South Conference's Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast televised opener after an open date by both this week, Bland said, "VSU has jumped up in the polls. They are an exciting team with (quarterback) Dusty Bonner leading their offense. This has given confidence to their special teams and defense. Excitement has been brought back to VSU by coach (Chris) Hatcher. They are going to be a good team."

Hatcher was on the University of Kentucky staff last season and returned to his alma mater as head coach this year to rebuild the program. As a quarterback for VSU, Hatcher rewrote the NCAA Division II, GSC and school record book, completing a career record of 1,047 of 1,529 pass attempts for 11,363 yards from 1991 to 1994 while playing for Hal Mumme, the current Kentucky head coach.

Bonner, who was second-team All-Southeast Conference last year at Kentucky and the pre-season pick for first-team All-SEC honors this year, transferred to VSU when Mumme changed his mind to start a 6' 4", 270-pound redshirt freshman at quarterback for Kentucky this year. Boner is a native of Valdosta, Ga.

Bland stated, "…it will be an exciting game in Magnolia." SAU is ranked ninth and VSU 21^st in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) while VSU is ranked eighth and SAU 29^th in USA Football. Don Hansen's Football Gazette has VSU 14^th and SAU 23^rd. VSU opened their season impressively, hammering Albany State 42-10 and blanked nationally-ranked Fort Valley State 46-0. The SAU head coach went on to say, "We are expecting a big crowd."

An injury update is encouraging. Wide receiver Michael Beck, who suffered a shoulder injury against Southeastern, is expected to be back at full speed. Backup linebacker Charles Simmons sustained a minor knee injury but is also expected to be ready for the Blazers. Starting defensive tackle Chad James, who missed the SOSU game with a broken jaw he received prior to pre-season practice, also is scheduled to return but has lost weight and strength. He is expected to contribute to some extent. Promising freshmen defensive tackle Cedric Brooks, who banged up a knee that kept him out of the season opener, may also be available for duty. Kyle Sanders, a starter at offensive tackle last season, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease last spring and is unable to play this season but is in school and attending practice. His treatments are going well and Sanders intends on returning to football next fall when he fully recovers.