October 27, 2001

Muleriders Slip Past Boll Weevils 29-22

Monticello, Ark.—Sophomore wide receiver Nikolas Lewis reeled in a 14-yard pass with 00:17 left in regulation to end a six-play, 56-yard drive that gave Southern Arkansas University a 29-22 win over rival University of Arkansas-Monticello here Saturday. The win gave the Muleriders a 43-28-1 series advantage over the Boll Weevils. SAU is 4-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play while UAM is 5-4 and 4-3 in league action.

Halfback Rodney Hill scored on an 85-yard run with 11:42 to go in the first quarter. Saul DeLa Cruz' PAT attempt failed, leaving the score 6-0. Hill's run was on the first play of the second drive for SAU.

Both teams remained scoreless from that point until the third when the ‘Riders made it 9-0 with 7:51 left in the quarter on a 27-yard field goal by DeLa Cruz.

The Weevils answered when senior fullback Terrance Spratt scampered for a three-yard touchdown to end an 82-yard, four-play march. Sean MacMillan's PAT closed the margin to 9-7 with 5:39 left in the third.

With 1:16 left on the clock in the third, Lewis hauled in an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ted Williams after a 78-yard, nine-play assault. DeLa Cruz split the uprights for the conversion to put the 'Riders up 16-7.

UAM pulled within two in the fourth when left cornerback Daniel Henderson recovered a Rodney Hill fumble on the SAU 25-yard line for a touchdown. MacMillan's kick made the score 16-14, SAU, 9:45 remaining to play.

The 'Riders bounced back with a Torrance Jones four-yard touchdown run to finish a 13-play, 80-yard march with DeLa Cruz’s PAT missing, 22-14, SAU, 3:59 left in the fourth.

The Weevils received a game tying touchdown and conversion from a Shamar Brown short three-yard reception from quarterback Kasey Nonette and a two-point conversion via Nonette to Brown. The score topped an 11-play, 66-yard drive.

With the score tied 22-22, 1:00 left in regulation, and the ball on the SAU 44-yard line, the ‘Riders attempted two passes to Lewis and Hill, both incomplete. On third and ten, Randy Givens gave the ‘Riders a spark with a 27-yard rush to the UAM 44-yard line. Lewis would complete an 11-yard pass from Williams to give the ‘Riders the ball on the UAM 29, 34 seconds remaining. Givens would rush again for SAU picking up an additional four-yards. Southern Arkansas called timeout with 23 ticks remaining. Williams connected with Lewis for the second time on the evening for a 17-yard touchdown pass. DeLa Cruz converted giving SAU a 29-22 advantage. The 56-yard drive lasted only 43 seconds and six plays.

After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was assessed against UAM, the Weevils received the ball on the UAM 13-yardline. With less than 12 ticks remaining, senior linebacker Belvis Duffield intercepted Nonette’s pass at the SAU 33-yardline. Duffield returned for 19-yards to end the game.

Statistically for the game SAU had 22 first downs to 21 for UAM. SAU rushed for a 331-202 advantage, had 163-272 yards in passing, a total offense of 494 yards to 474, and UAM leading in possession time 32:26 to SAU’s 27:34.

Williams and Hill led SAU's ground assault with 91 net yards each. Williams rushed on 16 carries and Hill on five carries and a touchdown. Corwil Elliot paced UAM with 191 net yards on 33 totes and no touchdowns. Williams completed 12 of 19 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Nonette completed 16 of 35 pass attempts for 241 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Lewis caught nine passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns for SAU and Brown caught five for 44 yards and a score for UAM.

Defensively, linebacker Eddie Key had eight tackles three for a loss of twelve for the 'Riders and free safety Brian Davis had eight tackles, four solo and four assisted. Lineman Mario Elliott led the Weevils with nine stops and forced one fumble.

The ‘Riders gear up to play the University of Central Arkansas in Conway next

Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30p.m.