Sports

UAM NOT SOLELY RELIANT ON OFFENSE

By Sean Saunders/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Sunday, August 31, 2008 10:35 PM CDT

The Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils entered Saturday’s contest with Arkansas-Pine Bluff with an offense that appeared to be the strength of the team and a defense that appeared to be a liability.

The offense may still be the Weevils’ strength, but the defense proved up to the task of shutting down the Golden Lions’ offense. UAM needed just a pair of scores to win and picked up three touchdowns en route to a 21-7 victory against an opponent of a higher NCAA classification.

“You heard that our defense was bad and we have to rely on our offense, and I’m sick of hearing that,” UAM coach Gwaine Mathews said. “I don’t know how good our defense is because I don’t know about Pine Bluff yet, but tonight was a big step for our football program and this defense.”

The Weevils managed to out-gain UAPB 396-329. But UAM lost four fumbles in the game, setting up UAPB to try and get back into the contest.

However, UAM’s defense kept the damage to a minimum almost every time by forcing five turnovers and surrendering a missed field goal after the Weevils fumbled deep in their territory.

“I think that for our kids, this was the biggest win for me at this school,” Mathews said.

The offense was the key to UAM winning four games last year and doubling the win total of the past two seasons. The Weevils put up the third-most yards in school history last year with 4,805, but their opponents managed more yards per game by 1.7.

The lowest point total UAM gave up last season was 28 on two occasions. Saturday’s victory against UAPB had the second-lowest points allowed during Mathews’ tenure.

Despite having plays of 66 and 61 yards, sophomore quarterback Scott Buisson did not have one of his highlight games. Buisson only threw the ball 20 times for 193 yards after eclipsing the 200-yard mark six times last season.

“What can I say?” Buisson said. “The defense played a heck of a game tonight. They played all out, and they definitely won the game for us tonight.”

UAM benefited greatly from a new face added to some of the senior leadership on the defense. Central Florida transfer Augustus Ashley was all over the field, racking up seven tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble and a pass deflection.

“I’m glad we have Augustus Ashley,” Mathews said. “When you have a Division I athlete like him on your team, you can change things up on defense and give them different looks.”

Ashley’s play complimented the apparent maturity gain of senior linebacker Larry White and senior safety Emanuel “Scooter” White. Scooter White led the way with nine tackles, an interception and a pass deflection while Larry White recorded eight tackles and a fumble recovery.

The Weevils look to have their defense improve even more this week in preparation for their home opener against Missouri S&T on Saturday. UAM defeated the Miners, then known as Missouri-Rolla, 45-28 last season.

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