PINE BLUFF, AR -- The University of Arkansas at Monticello used a quick-strike offensive attack to perfection as the Boll Weevils upset the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, 21-7 August 30 at Golden Lion Stadium.
The Weevils, a member of NCAA Division II, used five plays or less in all three of their scoring drives and less than a minute in two of their scores in posting the upset win over the Golden Lions.
In the first meeting between the two schools (which are only 51 miles apart) since 1994, both squads failed to take very good care of the football as UAM coughed up the pigskin a total of four times, while UAPB turned the football over five. Ironically none of the nine turnovers directly led to points by the opposing team.
Offensively, UAPB junior running back Mickey Dean led all rushers with 107 yards on 17 carries, while UAM quarterback Scott Buisson paced his team with 95 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown.
Golden Lion senior quarterback Johnathan Moore finished the evening 19-of-41 for 183 yards and a touchdown, but the Dollarway High product was intercepted three times. Buisson was 12-of-20 for 193 yards and a pair of scores for the Weevils.
UAM got on the board first after Buisson hit Weevil running back Johnny Polite for a 31-yard touchdown reception with 3:42 remaining in the opening period. Nick Green's PAT gave UAM a 7-0 lead. The drive, which consisted of five plays, covering 49 yards and taking 2:16 off the clock, was the longest scoring drive of the game for UAM.
After a 42-yard missed field goal attempt by UAPB, the Weevils took over at their own 25-yard line. Three plays and 75 yards later, Buisson scrambled 66 yards to give his team a 13-0 lead. Green's PAT gave the visitors from Monticello a 14-0 lead with 6:13 left before intermission.
UAPB All-American linebacker Tim Turner, who led both teams with 14 tackles, was knocked from the game on the previous play. He would later return to the game.
The Golden Lions knocked on the door late in the quarter, but Bruce Peters fumbled the football into the end zone from the three-yard line with :16 left in the half, giving the ball to UAM. UAPB had managed to put together their best drive of the game prior to the turnover, moving the ball 72 yards on 17 plays.
UAPB came out firing in the third quarter and after holding the Weevils, took just four plays to go 89 yards for their first score of the new season. Moore found redshirt freshman Anthony Abram for a 26-yard touchdown strike. Carlos Reyes' point after cut the Weevils' lead to 14-7 with 8:10 left in the third quarter.
The scoring strike was set up by a 58-yard run by Dean to start the drive.
The Weevils put the game away late in the fourth quarter, when Buisson found Clarence Denmark for a 61-yard score. Green's PAT increased UAM's lead to 21-7 with 5:11 left in the game.
Abram led all UAPB receivers with five receptions for 72 yards, while Tim Harris snagged five passes for 73 yards for UAM.
Defensively John Keith added eight tackles and a forced fumble for UAB and teammate Ledarius Anthony had seven stops, one sack and two fumble recoveries.
