MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas tallied 31 first-half points and added a 46-yard field goal from the leg of sophomore place kicker Austin Wilkerson in the fourth quarter to fend off a pesky Arkansas-Monticello squad which scored 22 second-half points, including 15 points in the final 15 minutes. With the 34-32 victory, the Muleriders reclaim the Battle of the Timberlands Trophy and finish the regular season in fourth place in the Great American Conference standings. The victory gives the latest SAU Football senior class 32 wins, with 17 of those coming inside the confines of Wilkins Stadium at Rip Powell Field, which is tied for the most by any senior class in program history (32 wins – 1971-1974).
 
The Muleriders finish the 2019 regular season at 8-3 making it the first time the program has had back-to-back eight win campaigns since 1997-99 when SAU won eight games for three-consecutive seasons.
 
SAU was outgained by UAM offensively by 40 yards (366-326), despite the Muleriders running 27 more plays. It was the highly explosive first half for Southern Arkansas that proved to be the difference.
 
The Muleriders scored early as junior quarterback Hayden Mallory connected on a 45-yard strike to redshirt senior Jaidon Parrish which capped a three-play, 57-yard drive in the first 1:24 of the game. Leading 7-3 late in the first quarter, Mallory found senior Dalton Wright on a five-yard toss to put the Muleriders in control up 14-3.
 
The Boll Weevils responded as Jeremy Hampton took the ensuing kickoff 90-yards for a touchdown. Leading 14-10 after the first quarter, the Muleriders began re-cushioning their lead as redshirt senior SirCharles Perkins scored on an 18-yard run off left tackle with 12:05 remaining in the first half. Wilkerson punched through his first field goal attempt of the day on SAU's next drive as the Muleriders led 24-10 with 7:32 to play before the intermission.
 
Wilkerson's successful attempt came after Mulerider sophomore Brock Floyd forced a fumble which was recovered by senior Demetric Jennings at the UAM39 to set up the SAU offense in Boll Weevil territory.
 
The final drive of the half saw the Muleriders cover 72 yards in 12 plays over the final 3:21 which was capped with the second Mallory-to-Parrish conception of the day that saw the latter bully his way into the endzone as time expired in the first half.
 
The UAM offense came to life in the second half, but the Boll Weevils failed to recover a pair of onside kicks late.
 
Individually, Mallory tossed for 205 yards and three scores on 21-of-32 passing. Perkins was the team's leading rusher with 50 yards on 20 carries. Redshirt sophomore Dennis Daniels carried a dozen times for 47 yards, while true freshman OB Jones totaled 37 yards on seven carries.
 
Parrish's big day came on three catches for 59 yards and a pair of scores and he added two kick returns for 25 yards. Redshirt senior Jared Lancaster caught eight passes for 44 yards. Nine players caught a pass from Mallory in the win.
 
Floyd totaled seven tackles to lead the Mulerider defense. Six players recorded five stops. Junior Demoni Boyd recorded two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.
 
Southern Arkansas awaits their postseason fate as a bowl berth is highly possible. Stay up-to-date with the latest on Mulerider Football at www.MuleriderAthletics.com.