By: By: Daniel Gallegos
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SOUTHERN ARKANSAS
MULERIDERS
6-4 (6-4 GAC)
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ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO
BOLL WEEVILS
5-5 (5-5 GAC)
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GAME NOTES | SAU | UAM | GAC Weekly FB Notebook
Setting the Stage: Sixth-Annual Battle of the Timberlands / Senior Day
High expectations coming into the 2017 season have fallen a bit short for the Southern Arkansas football team as they enter the final week of the regular season at 6-4. Picked to win the Great American Conference, the Muleriders have endured some tough defeats with three of their losses coming late in the fourth quarter. Despite the heart-breaking setbacks, the Muleriders are still assured their sixth-consecutive season with a .500 or better winning percentage, the best stretch since 1997-2003.
Additionally, the Muleriders still have a lot to play for in today's game at it will be the sixth-annual Battle of the Timberlands Game against rival Arkansas-Monticello. The Muleriders have won each of the first five games in which the trophy was up for grabs as the long-standing series added the hardware in 2012.
Adding to the buildup of Saturday's rivalry clash, 10 Muleriders will be playing their final career game at home. This year's group of seniors includes
Darren Crawford,
Colby Geissen,
Bradford Grems,
Tanner Hudson,
Corey Jenkins,
Michael Nunnery,
Elgin Moore,
Garrett Turnbull,
Jonathan Weisheit, and
Travis Williams. Over the course of their time at SAU, this group of seniors have helped the Mulerider Football program win 63% of its games, going 27-16 overall. At home, these players have helped make Wilkins Stadium at Rip Powell Field a true home field advantage winning 16 of 17 games played at home.
About Arkansas-Monticello
SCHEDULE
The Arkansas-Monticello football team enters play this weekend with a 5-5 overall record and a 5-5 mark in the Great American Conference. After starting 2-3, UAM knocked off then-ranked No. 24 Arkansas Tech 46-45 to spark a three-game winning streak to push their record to 5-3. The Boll Weevils have dropped their last two games, however and will be looking for their first winning season since 2008.
THE COACH
The Boll Weevils are coached by Hud Jackson, who is in his seventh season at Arkansas-Monticello. In his time on the UAM sidelines, Jackson has amassed a 23-52 record. Twice Jackson has led the Boll Weevils to 5-6 campaigns in 2011 and in 2013. Prior to becoming the head coach at UAM, Jackson was an assistant head coach at the University of Central Arkansas for six years. In the 14 years prior to his time at UCA, Jackson had a successful coaching career in the high school ranks of Louisiana.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively, the Boll Weevils are averaging 35.9 points per game and 463.0 yards of total offense per game as well with 252.8 of the yards coming through the air and the remaining 210.2 yards being gained on the ground. Their points per game
average ranks fourth in the GAC while their total offense ranks first in the league.
Under center for the Boll Weevils is junior QB Cole Sears. On the year, Sears has completed 166-of-290 passes for 2,444 yards and 27 touchdowns. His 244.4 passing per game average and passing touchdowns ranks second in the GAC.
On the ground, the Boll Weevils are led by Imani Riley as he had rushed for 585 yards on 111 carries and has found the endzone three times. Two other Weevils have scored rushed for at least 400 yards with Sears ranking third at 400 even and Deountario Brown second with 490 yards. Eight Weevils have scored rushing touchdowns with Sears' seven scores leading the team.
In terms of receiving, the Boll Weevils have the GAC's top receiver in Jalen Tolliver. On the year, Tolliver leads the GAC in yards (982) and touchdowns (14) while ranking second in receptions (60). The senior wideout now has over 3,000 career
receiving yards and 37 touchdowns.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively, the Boll Weevils are allowing 33.1 points per game and 384.5 yards of total offense per game with 203.2 of the yards coming on the ground and the remaining 181.3 being gained through the air. Their scoring defense ranks in a tie for eighth in the GAC while their rushing defense is seventh and their passing defense tops the league. UAM's total defense ranks sixth.
THE SERIES
This will be the 93rd meeting all-time between the Muleriders and the Boll Weevils in a series that dates back to 1913. Since 1957, these two teams have met annually, making this week's game the 61st-consecutive game. In the all-time series, SAU
holds a 56-35-1 lead and since 1970, the Muleriders have more than doubled-up UAM going 32-15. Additionally, over half of those wins for SAU have come since the 1997 season as the Muleriders are 17-3 over the Boll Weevils in that time.
Record Watch
Records Within Reach - Career (Individual)
» Reception Yards - (Record: 2,852 - Nik Lewis, 2000-03)
Current:
Tanner Hudson (2,087 | -765)
Current:
Jonathan Weisheit (1,985 | -867)
» Receptions - (Record: 175 -
Jonathan Weisheit, (2014-present)
Current:
Tanner Hudson (138 | -37)
» TD Receptions - (Record: 36 - Nik Lewis, 2000-03)
Current:
Tanner Hudson (24 | -12)
» All-Purpose Yards - (Record: 4,184, Mark Johnson, 2008-13)
Current:
Jonathan Weisheit (3,045 | 1,139)
» Total Points Scored - (Record: 264 - Mark Johnson, 2008-13)
Current:
Bradford Grems (251 | -13)
» Punt Return Yards - (Record: 629 - Nik Lewis, 2000-03)
Current:
Jonathan Weisheit (545 | -84)
» Sacks - (Record: 25.0 - David Sanders, 1989-1992)
Current:
Davondrick Lison (18.5 | -6.5)
(-# indicates number from TYING record)
New Records Set - Career (Individual)
» Pass Completitions - (New Record: 774 -
Barrett Renner, 2015-present)
Former Record: 658 - Tyler Sykora, 2009-13
» Receptions - (New Record: 175 -
Jonathan Weisheit, 2014-present)
Former Record: 162 - Nik Lewis, 2000-03
» Total Offense - (New Record: 10,246 -
Barrett Renner, 2015-present)
Former Record: 8,847 - Tyler Sykora, 2009-13
» Passing TDs - (New Record: 91 -
Barrett Renner, 2015-present)
Former Record: 82 - Tyler Sykora, 2009-13
» TDs Responsible For - (New Record: 93 -
Barrett Renner, 2015-present)
Former Record: 83 - Tyler Sykora, 2009-13
» Passing Yards - (New Record: 9,605 -
Barrett Renner, 2015-present)
Former Record: 9,010 - Tyler Sykora, 2009-13
» Pass Attempts - (New Record: 1,200 -
Barrett Renner, 2015-present)
Former Record: 1,166 - Tyler Sykora, 2009-13
