The University of Arkansas at Monticello’s streak of five season-opening wins ended Thursday night, but Southeastern Oklahoma State’s win string over UAM continues.
Southeastern held UAM scoreless for the first 26 minutes of the game and outgained the Boll Weevils 423-281 in total yards Thursday night in a 44-13 win at Paul Laird Field in Durant, Okla. The Savage Storm (1-0) won their first season opener in three years, following back-to-back losses against Southern Arkansas.
The decisive loss ended any chance of UAM (0-1) extending its streak of three seasons with 2-0 starts. UAM last defeated Southeastern 9-7 in October 2019. The Savage Storm have won five in a row over the Weevils since.
Not only did four turnovers – two interceptions and two fumbles – hamper the Weevils, but so did miscues on special teams. Southeastern blocked a field goal attempt and extra point, and scored off two UAM turnovers. Kameron Lockhart opened the second half with a 66-yard kickoff return to the UAM 32, setting up a drive that ended with one of Dylan Cox’s 3 field goals. (Cox also made 5 of 5 extra points.)
Tavion Faulk overcame a 0-for-3 passing start and finished 13 for 18 for 155 yards and a touchdown in his first start as UAM quarterback. His 44-yard pass to Michael Lott with 3:57 left before halftime put UAM on the board, trailing 13-6 after the blocked extra-point attempt.
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The Weevils, who had already punted on their first two drives, had a 31-yard Dylan Duhon field-goal try blocked on their third series.
Southeastern, which led 20-6 at halftime, scored on its first three drives and six of its first seven, its 31-point lead the largest of the game. Luke Hohenberger completed 8 of 12 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown, leaving the game early due to injury. Matthew Nunez caught the 8-yard TD toss from Hohenberger with 4 seconds left before halftime.
Levay Duncan passed 3 for 6 for 49 yards and a touchdown and also scored on a short option run to finish the night with 5 carries for 19 yards in relief. Colton Howard went 1 for 2 for 11 yards for the Savage Storm.
Jonathan Cobb Jr. (5 carries, 28 yards) and Levay Duncan (5 carries, 19 yards) each ran for a Southeastern touchdown. Chancy Lester Jr. rushed 6 times for 55 yards and Victor Taylor had 3 catches for 109 yards and a score in the win.
UAM backup Tyler Webb’s first pass went for 75 yards to Ahmari Cox with 5:03 left in the third quarter. Webb went 2 for 6 for 77 yards and 2 interceptions.
Cox had 2 receptions for 75 yards. Chasden Collins, who caught 5 passes for 62 yards, coughed up 2 fumbles for UAM, while starter Jaylen Sutton rushed 9 times for 13 yards and Glen Cage went 7 times for 17 yards.
Dajon Doss and Tevontae Bond each had 8 tackles for UAM. Doss collected the only sack for the Weevils.
UAM will return to action at home Sept. 13 against East Central. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.