Faced with the prospect of losing to a team winless since the start of last season, the University of Arkansas at Monticello had no time to look ahead to taking on Division II football’s No. 1-ranked team for the first time ever while trailing big in Weatherford, Okla.
The Boll Weevils faced a big-enough hill to climb for their first win ever at Southwestern Oklahoma State this past Saturday. Coach Hud Jackson said the Weevils were not looking ahead to Thursday’s game against Harding when they fell behind 28-10 to Southwestern, only to score 29 unanswered points.
“This was our first road trip. You have a team that had a really bad year the year before,” Jackson said of Southwestern. “They’re trying to establish a winning culture and get people excited. Our players knew that going in. We had opportunities we didn’t take advantage of, and Southwestern did that, first half.”
UAM (2-0 overall and Great American) had more than enough time to come back when trailing by 18 points with 4:31 left in the third quarter. Quarterback Demilon Brown, who said he took shots to his rib and throwing hand, overcame Southwestern’s physicality and 3 interceptions to run for 3 touchdowns during the turnaround.
But the Weevils have hardly had time to bask in the glow of a third straight 2-0 start to the season.
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“We got in from Southwestern on Sunday morning at 6:30, and we were back on the practice field at noon preparing, making sure we were specifically getting ready for Harding,” Brown said. “I’ve been intentional about getting rest and getting mentally prepared as far as tendencies are concerned.”
Harding (2-0) has thrived on its tendency to win with an option attack, which totals 554 yards per game, highest in the conference. The Bisons have won 21 in a row, a streak that includes their run to the national championship last December, and will try to shut down the Weevils’ offense, third-best in the GAC at 440 yards per game, Thursday night at Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton Bowl Stadium.
Kickoff is at 6 p.m. KHBM-FM 93.7 will broadcast the game, and video will be available at youtube.com/weevilnation/.
A win will give UAM its first 3-0 start since 2000, when Clarence Holley coached the Weevils to an 8-3 record. UAM last won 3 straight in 2021, beating Arkansas Tech, Northwestern Oklahoma State and Southwestern.
Harding has not lost in Monticello since the 2009 season and has won 12 in a row against the Weevils.
The Bisons’ offense has scored 59 points each in wins over Southern Nazarene and Oklahoma Baptist and averaged 488 yards just rushing the football. Running backs Andrew Miller (83.5 yards per game) and Blake Delacruz (81.5) are third and fourth in the Great American in rushing with UAM’s Brown (81) tied for fifth.
“They’re really good at doing what they’ve chosen to do offensively,” Jackson said.
“It’s precise, it’s difficult, and it’s effective. Anyone that has had success defending it has matched their detail. We have to be detailed in that process. If we can match that, that gives us the best chance. If we don’t … we’ll be like the other 85 percent of teams they play. We have to focus on being disciplined and detailed. Let’s don’t forget about their defense. It’s pretty salty, too.”
Harding has given up one touchdown all season, last week to Oklahoma Baptist.
Surprisingly enough, not one player from the Bisons is ranked in the top 10 of any defensive category in the GAC.
If the Weevils, whose 440 yards per game are third-best in the conference, are to break down the Bisons’ defense, they’ll just have to take what the defense gives them, Brown said.
“They pressure the quarterback without sending a lot of people,” he said.
“It’s clogged up in the back end. Being consistent, I’ve got to know where I’m going with the ball. Be accurate with the ball and take what they give us.”
UAM defensive end Alfernee Hankins (3) and safety Robert Iverson (2) rank fifth and 10th for tackles for losses in the GAC. Buck linebackers Jase Williams and Tevontae Bond are tied for fourth in sacks with 1.5 each.
The Weevils’ defense has played well, Jackson commented, holding Northwestern and Southwestern to 207 yards on average.
“We have to make sure we’re doing things we’re comfortable in,” Jackson said.
“We have to establish a run game and protect our quarterback and get the ball in our playmaker’s hands. They’re detailed on offense, and they’re that way on defense as well.”
To beat the Bisons, Jackson added, the Weevils have to believe they can play with them.
“The biggest thing I’ve been telling the guys, obviously they’re a good team, the No. 1 team in the country,” Brown said.
“They put on shoes like we do. They bleed like we do. Play your hardest, and they’ll fold, too.”