#16 Southern Arkansas University vs. Texas A&M University-Commerce

When: September 13, 2003//Where: Magnolia, Arkansas @ Wilkins Stadium//Time: 7 p.m.

                       

The Series (SAU 8-6 since 1980)

 

            Saturday’s game between Southern Arkansas University and Texas A&M University-Commerce will be the 15th meeting between the Muleriders of the Gulf South Conference and the Lions of the Lone Star Conference (South). The series began in 1980 but after 1992, SAU and A&M-C did not meet again until 2001.

            When the series began, the ‘Riders were a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) while the Lions were already a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II. SAU moved to the NCAA Division II ranks in 1995, six years before the series resumed.

            A&M-C won the first meeting in 1980 21-14 but SAU claimed a 39-37 shootout the following season. SAU went up 2-1 in 1982 with a 13-11 decision only for A&M-C to even matters 24-15 the following year. A 35-14 waxing of the ‘Riders in 1984 gave the series lead back to the Lions. SAU rebounded to win 30-20 in 1985, won again the next year 21-10 and made it three in a row in 1987 with a 21-17 win. After a 17-11 Lion decision in 1988, a schedule conflict prevented a game in 1989.

            In 1990, the ‘Riders won 22-17 and posted a 14-6 win in ’91. A&M-C won the 1992 clash 31-16 and it would be 2001 before the universities would resume the series. A&M-C won that game in Magnolia 17-13 but SAU made it 8-6 last year with a 27-23 victory at Commerce.

 

The Coaches

 

            Third-year SAU head coach Steve Quinn (Ouachita Baptist, 1985) will be coaching his 23rd game with the ‘Riders. He finished his first season at SAU in 2001 with a 5-5 record and was 7-4 in 2002. After opening this season with a 27-24 win at Tarleton State University last week, Quinn is now 13-9 at SAU.

            Eddie Brister (Austin College, 1972) is in his fifth year as head coach of A&M-C. His record with the Lions is 18-26 after losing last week’s opener to the University of Arkansas-Monticello at Commerce 33-29.

 

Media Coverage

 

            KVMA 107.9 FM in Magnolia with Dan Gregory the play-by-play announcer, Jay Adcox as color commentator and Lane Jean on the sideline; KETR 88.9 FM in Commerce with Mike Young the play-by-play announcer and color by Kevin Jefferies. 

 

Last Season

 

            SAU took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and expanded the margin to 20-0 at the half. Leading 27-3 early in the fourth period, it appeared a blowout was in the making. It did not happen. In the final seven minutes, the Lions roared, putting up 20 unanswered points, including a touchdown on the final play of the game, to close the margin to 27-23.

 

GSC Last Week

 

            #2 Valdosta State 45-Florida Atlantic 17; #19 Central Arkansas 30-#23 Abilene Christian 12; #20 Southern Arkansas 27-#14 Tarleton State 24; West Georgia 21-Presbyterian College (SC) 14; Delta State 48-Cumberland University (TN) 7; North Alabama 68-Stillman College (AL) 7; Arkansas-Monticello 33-Texas A&M-Commerce 29; Arkansas Tech 31-Northeastern State (OK) 20; Harding University 22-East Central (OK) 19; Ouachita Baptist 30-Southeastern Oklahoma 27 (3 OT); Samford University (AL) 44-West Alabama 28.

 

GSC This Week

 

            Arkansas Pine-Bluff vs. Central Arkansas (LR) @ 7 (Thurs.); Stillman @ West Alabama @ 7; Albany State (GA) @ West Georgia, 6; Mississippi Valley State @ Delta State, 7; Southeastern Louisiana @ Henderson State @ 7; North Alabama @ Jacksonville State (AL), 7; Texas A&M-Commerce @ Southern Arkansas, 7.

 

Team Leaders

 

            SAU: CB Jordan Babineaux was named the GSC Defensive Player of the Week for his play against TSU last week. He had seven tackles with two solos, picked off two interceptions he returned 27 yards, forced a fumble that FS Brian Davis returned 64 yards (a new school record) for a decisive touchdown and broke up three passes. K Thomas LaToof was selected the Special Teams Player of the Week by the GSC. He was two for three on field goals and three for three on PAT attempts. He put SAU ahead 3-0 with a 19-yard field goal in the first quarter, made it 13-0 with a 47-yard field goal in the second period and his only miss was a 49-yard attempt that was barely wide left. WR Nik Lewis had one rush for 10 yards and six pass receptions for 74 yards vs. TSU.

            A&M-C: RB Joel Tudman had 18 rushes for 105 yards and two touchdowns vs. UAM. QB Jonny Louvier completed 14 of 21 pass attempts for 197 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. WR Victor Bennett caught five passes for 62 yards, P Chris Miller punted four times for an impressive 46.2 yards, LB Tay Washington had 11 tackles and LB Jared Williams 10 and a sack.

 

From the Coach

           

            SAU head coach Steve Quinn said “I was very proud of our effort and attitude (against TSU). I felt like we were focused and our players encouraged each other and never thought we would lose. I was glad to see us make big plays when we needed them. (FS) Brian Davis made a great play on the fumble return which proved to be a difference. Our secondary was very solid and we played well when our backs were to the wall. Our offense moved the ball at times but must develop consistency. (WR) Nik Lewis and (RB) Torrence Jones played well. (K) Thomas LaToof had a good night kicking, which was a big part in the win.”

            “We played a good Tarleton team… they had not lost in their stadium in two years” he added, “but we need to be improved this week. Texas A&M-Commerce is very well coached and play us tough each year…it is a big rivalry. They have a good team, their running game is solid, they are throwing the ball pretty well and they run to the ball well, defensively. It will be a big challenge.”

            He went on to say  “This is our first game at home and I am expecting a big crowd. We are very excited to be playing before our home crowd, which is one of the best in all of D-2 football.”

 

Quick Facts

 

SAU                                                                                                                            TSU

 

Magnolia, Arkansas                                                          Location                                Commerce, Texas

Gulf South                                                                  Conference                             Lone Star (South)

NCAA Division II                                                        Affiliation                                NCAA Division II

Dr. David Rankin                                                 President                                Dr. Keith McFarland

Jay Adcox                                                             Athletics Director                                  Paul Peak

Steve Quinn                                                               Head Coach                            Eddie Brister

Houston Taylor                                     Sports Information Director            Bill Powers

Muleriders                                                                   Nickname                               Lions

Royal Blue & Old Gold                                              Colors                                    Blue & Gold

3,025                                                                        Enrollment                              8,022

1909 (SAU in 1976)                                                   Founded                                1889

Wilkins (6,000)                                                            Stadium                                 Memorial (10,000)

(870) 235-4117                                           Pressbox Number                                   (903) 468-6089

Southern Arkansas University

2003 Football Depth Chart

(Sept. 9, 2003)

 

Offense                                                                 Defense

 

Pos.  No. Name                             Ht.   Wt.    Class                 Pos.   No.   Name                    Ht.            Wt.    Class

 

TE     42  Ryan Baker               6-2    216      SR                    DE      44    Andrekus Dixon        6-3            227            SR

          29  LaRon Sylvester                     6-1    225      JR                                             98    D.C. Chandler             6-1       242            SR

 

OT     50  Kelvin Wallace            6-1    278      SR                    NG     95    Cedric Brooks            6-0       275            SR

          77  Jody Smith                6-2    262     RSFR                            99    Tirone Curtis     6-1            268            JR

 

OG    76 James Herrera                        6-3    292       SO                    DT      55    Robert Hooks    5-10      300            JR

          69 Rashad Derrick            6-3    275     RSFR                            94    Eddie Caldwell          5-8       256            SO

 

C       56 Tim Bezenah                       6-3    279       SO                        DE     49    Dedrick Thompson    6-2            232            SO

         52            Blake Mitchell               6-2    274       SO                             88    Jeff Candler             6-2       235     RSFR

                                                                                                          82    Jonathan Beverly 6-1            220            SO

OG    64 Kevin Berneathy            6-0    321       SO

         79  Chase Noland              6-0    285       FR                  MLB   13     Keenan Washington  6-1            243            JR

                                                                                                          40     Augie Berend 6-2            210     RSFR

OT    72 Bill Parker              6-3    310       SR                              45     Richard Bell      5-10            215            SO                                                                                                                                                                                       68 Aaron Martin              6-4    270       JR       

                                                                                                SLB   14     DeVares Campbell   6-2            208            SR

WR   18 Nik Lewis               6-0    200      SR                              17     Justin Willis                6-0            208            SO                                            80         Juan Bedolla             5-11  173      JR        

         19            Edwin Skipper               5-11  184      JR                         WLB  47     Chad Carner                 6-0            187            SO

                                                                                                          15     Jabar Manning            6-1            192     RSFR

QB    4 Ted Williams                        5-10  199      SR                              41     Lee Alderman            6-0            190     RSFR

        10   Damian Melancon            6-1    187      SO       

          9            Jabari Woods                6-0    185     RSFR                      CB    26      Dez Myers               6-0            165            JR

                                                                                                         12      Trey Lewis               5-8            160            SO

LHB  1 Donald Butler               5-9    167      JR                                           16      George Penrice 5-10            182            SO

          8            Justin Greene                5-8    171     RSFR

                                                                                                CB     2       Jordan Babineaux            6-0            202            SR

RHB 22 Torrence Jones             5-8    167      JR                                            21       Chris Ibezim  5-10            190            JR

         23 Don Simpson                        5-8    180      SO

                                                                                                FS      5        Brian Davis            6-2            182            SR

FB     6  Larnelle Sinegal            5-10  213      SR                            32        Bradley Hodges            6-1            195     RSFR

        33  Brandon Nightingale            6-2    228      SO

        38 Darrell Williams            5-9    205      JR                          SS    31       Andre Hadnot            6-1            198     RSFR  

                                                                                                        34               C.J. Ellis                  5-10            170       FR

 

Specialty Teams

 

K      7  Thomas LaToof             5-10  185      SR                      P     28         Tony Grecco            6-5            175            SO

       27  David Korff                6-0    204      FR                            27         David Korff            6-1            204            FR

 

DS  52  Blake Mitchell                        6-2    274      SO                   PR     18                   Nik Lewis                     6-0            200            SR

       41  Lee Alderman                      6-0    190     RSFR                           1         Donald Butler            5-9            167            JR

 

KOR            11       D.D. Holyfield                  5-8    165            RSFR

2        Jordan Babineaux                  6-0    202            SR

 

Texas A&M-Commerce Depth Chart

As of September 8, 2003

 

OFFENSE

QB    14      Jonny Louvier (6-1, 190, Fr-RS, Gladewater)

       9      Miles Durham (6-3, 210, Fr-RS, Fort Worth)

       8      Beau Dodson (6-2, 215, Fr-RS, Hurst)

RB    19      Joel Tudman (6-1, 220, Sr-2L, Amarillo)

      10      Malcolm Isom (5-8, 185, So-Tr, Newton)

FB    16      Demarquis Price (6-4, 230, So-1L, Winona)

      49      Jake Logan (5-11, 215, Jr-JC, Coffeyville, KS)

WR    1      Jarrod Webb (5-11, 165, So-RS, Fort Worth)

      12      Justin Simons (6-0, 190, Sr-2L, Vancouver, WA)

WR    5      Victor Bennett (5-10, 180, So-1L, Marshall)

       7      Rodd Taylor (5-11, 190, Sr-3L, Arlington)

FL    83      Willie Whiting (5-7, 165, Sr-3L, Fort Worth)

      25      L.J. Searcy (5-9, 165, Fr-HS, Gainesville)

TE    15      John Wingate (6-4, 245, Jr-Tr, Houston)

      85      Erron Matthews (6-2, 245, Jr-2L, Fort Worth)

LT    77      Pat Howard (6-4, 300, Jr-JC, Dallas)

      73      Andrew Kopf (6-5, 260, Jr-2L, Honey Grove)

LG    72      Neil McElaney (6-2, 275, So-1L, Grapevine)

      71      Matt Arnold (6-4, 290, So-1L, Atlanta)

C     63      Mac Acuna (6-3, 280, Jr-2L, Garland)

      50      Casey Graves (6-2, 275, Fr-HS, Burleson)

RG    76      Ryan Graves (6-1, 310, So-Tr, Waco)

      71      Matt Arnold (6-4, 290, So-1L, Atlanta)

RT    79      Bailey Lester (6-6, 290, Sr-1L, Abilene)

      73      Andrew Kopf (6-5, 260, Jr-2L, Honey Grove)

 

DEFENSE

DE    98      Derrick Crawford (6-4, 295, Sr-2L, Avon Park, FL)

      94      Marcus Dizer (6-4, 230, Jr-1L, Clarksville)

NT    56      Terrance Smith (6-2, 275, So-1L, Garland)

      92      Otavious Baker (6-1, 300, Jr-JC, Terrell)

DT    93      Anthony Fields (6-3, 290, Jr-JC, Calumet City, IL)

      52      Larry Gilbert (6-0, 305, So-1L, Bryan)

DE    59      Carlos Coronado (6-4, 240, Sr-1L, Burbank, CA)

      17      Ojei Omeke (6-1, 230, Jr-Tr, Houston)

SLB   40      John Paul Mulligan (6-3, 250, Sr-3L, Arlington)

      37      Justin Thomas (6-1, 240, Sr-Tr, Spencer, OK)

MLB   20      Jared Williams (6-2, 240, Jr-Tr, Bridge City)

      40      John Paul Mulligan (6-3, 250, Sr-3L, Arlington)

WLB   2      Tay Weatherspoon (6-0, 240, Jr-1L, Jasper)    

      58      Larry Taylor (6-0, 210, Jr-2L, Wichita Falls)

CB    4      Andrew Blount (5-11, 185, Sr-1L, Miami, FL)

      22      Kendrick Holley (5-9, 180, Jr-JC, Allen)

CB    28      Chris Shelton (6-1, 190, Fr-RS, Tatum)

      21      Danny Cobbin (5-9, 165, Fr-HS, Dallas)

SS    27      Justin Merchant (5-11, 205, Jr-1L, Howe)

      11      Myron Davis (5-9, 170, Sr-3L, Bon Wier)

FS    6      Rod Hartsfield (6-0, 185, Jr-2L, Tyler)

      38      Andre Martin (6-2, 190, Sr-Sq, Plano)

 

SPECIALISTS

P     13      Chris Miller (6-3, 200, Sr-1L, Plano)

      35      Jacques Bourgeois (6-1, 180, So-Tr, Houston)

K     47      Jason Hankins (5-11, 195, Fr-RS, Mesquite)

      97      Cole Lucas (5-11, 190, Fr-RS, Rusk)

DS    50      Casey Graves (6-2, 275, Fr-HS, Burleson)

      51      Shawn Dickey (6-0, 210, Jr-Tr, Bartlesville, OK)

H     13      Chris Miller (6-3, 200, Sr-1L, Plano)

      14      Jonny Louvier (6-1, 190, Fr-RS, Gladewater)

KR    25      L.J. Searcy (5-9, 165, Fr-HS, Gainesville)

      10      Malcolm Isom (5-8, 185, So-Tr, Newton)

      83      Willie Whiting (5-7, 165, Sr-3L, Fort Worth)

PR    11      Myron Davis (5-9, 170, Sr-3L, Bon Wier)

      10      Malcolm Isom (5-8, 185, So-Tr, Newton)