Southern Arkansas Announces 2001 Football Schedule

Magnolia, AR--For the first time since 1992, Southern Arkansas University will meet Texas A&M-Commerce in football to begin the 2001 season for the Muleriders. The 'Riders and Lions kick the season off in Magnolia September 8. TA&M-C replaces Southeastern Oklahoma State University, which dropped the 'Riders this year as the opening opponent. This is the only change on the SAU schedule.

TA&M-C, then known as East Texas State University, met the 'Riders from 1980 through 1992 and a stiff rivalry developed as the 'Riders and Lions coaching staffs recruited players from the same area. Over the 13-year period, the 'Riders and Lions played 12 games before TA&M-C was unable to work SAU into their schedule in '93 and it has been eight years since the final meeting. SAU holds a 7-5 advantage in the 12 meetings.

SAU finished their Southeastern Oklahoma series with a 28-15 opening win last season and now has an 18-14-3 all-time series advantage that began in 1952. Both TA&M-C and SOSU are members of the Lone Star Conference.

All remaining nine games of the 10-game schedule involve Gulf South Conference competition. SAU's first road game will the long trip to Valdosta, Ga., to meet All-American quarterback Dusty Bonner and Valdosta State University September 15. The 'Riders hit the road again the following week for the short trip to Arkadelphia to meet scrappy Ouachita Baptist University, coached by former Delta State coach Todd Knight, who played at OBU with SAU coach Steve Quinn and former coach Steve Roberts. SAU returns home September 29 for a Family Day engagement with the University of West Alabama.

SAU plays at home again October 6 when they meet perennial conference title contender State University of West Georgia and will challenge GSC and national NCAA Division II champion Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., October 13. The 'Riders take on Arkansas Tech University October 20 as their Homecoming opponent. ATU played SAU at Russellville for the GSC championship in 1999 and nipped the 'Riders in overtime for the title. The Wonder Boys made it two wins in a row last year, again in Russellville.

SAU closes their October schedule at Monticello against the University of Arkansas-Monticello. UAM shocked SAU at Magnolia in '99 that cost the 'Riders the championship but the 'Riders returned the favor last year, again at home. SAU plays at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway November 3 and closes out at home against Henderson State November 10.