An earlier-than-normal kickoff will have no effect on the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s preparations for Saturday’s home game against Ouachita Baptist University, Coach Hud Jackson said.
The teams agreed to move the game up 90 minutes to 12:30 p.m. at Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium, well ahead of the inclement weather predicted for the Monticello area. A 20% chance of rain is forecast for 4 p.m., with a 50% chance and thunderstorms expected by 6 p.m.
The Boll Weevils are normally at the football complex by 12:30 p.m. for a 2 p.m. kickoff, their usual daytime start, so the early start shouldn’t be a problem, Jackson believes.
“We’re just trying to not get caught up in a situation where we’re forced to cancel the game as a no-decision because that’s what it would come down to, truthfully,” Jackson said. “You can’t just go home and come back, rent buses again. We just thought that window from noon to 4:30 is a lot better than from 2 to 7. That’s why the decision was made.”
If the rain holds off long enough in an otherwise dry Southeast Arkansas, the Weevils (2-4 overall and Great American) will have a chance at their third victory in four games, and the Tigers will go for their third win in a row. UAM missed its chance at a third straight win last week at Oklahoma Baptist, when a last-minute Weevil drive ended with an interception deep in the Bison’s territory.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
In two victories this season, UAM committed a grand total of one turnover. Last Saturday, the Weevils lost the ball four times — two by interception and two fumbles.
They’ve turned the ball over 15 times this season. Opponents have turned it over three times.
“Laying the ball on the ground just can’t happen,” Jackson said. “It’s a situation where you start off bad with turnovers at the beginning of the year, you get better at it, and then you fall in a slot and it’s not good. When we got a little momentum going with two wins in a row, you just can’t afford to do that.”
Ouachita Baptist (3-3), the reigning Great American co-champion, is overcoming a slow start to the season. Two of its losses were determined by 5 or fewer points (24-22 to East Central and 28-23 to Arkansas Tech), but the Tigers regained their groove after beating Oklahoma Baptist and Southern Nazarene by a combined 63-20.
“OBU is OBU,” Jackson said. “People look at their record, 3-3, and say, oh, they’re not that good. That’s the biggest mistake a person can do. They’re a good football team. They’re trying to find their identity.”
It remains to be seen who will start at quarterback for the Tigers.
True freshman Tre Nichols took over for injured starter Nate TenBarge, who ranks fourth in the Great American in total offense. Nichols completed 10 of 18 for 213 yards and ran 11 times for 102 yards and a touchdown against Southern Nazarene.
“He reminds me of Demilon Brown,” Jackson said, comparing Nichols to his former six-year starter. “He gets in space and creates some real problems for people. The big concern for us, he came in and did some really good things to lead them to win.”
If TenBarge starts, the Tigers will go with a sophomore who has thrown for 1,016 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions. Faulk, a junior transfer, has 1,370 yards and 12 touchdowns, but seven interceptions. Ouachita owns a 49-33-1 all-time record against UAM and has won 12 of 13 meetings since the two joined the Great American in 2011. UAM last beat Ouachita 55-21 on Oct. 28, 2017, in Arkadelphia.
Great American Conference football standings
NOTE: Each game counts toward standings. Number in parentheses indicate ranking in the American Football Coaches Association Division II Top 25 poll.
Team;Record
(2) Harding;6-0
Southern Arkansas;5-1
Henderson State;5-1
Arkansas Tech;4-2
East Central;4-2
Ouachita Baptist;3-3
Oklahoma Baptist;2-4
Southwestern Okla. State;2-4
UA-Monticello;2-4
Southeastern Okla. State;2-4
Southern Nazarene;1-5
Northwestern Okla. State;0-6
Thursday’s game
Southwestern Okla. State at Southern Nazarene, late
Saturday’s games
Ouachita Baptist at UAM, 12:30 p.m.
Harding at Henderson State, 1 p.m.
Arkansas Tech vs. Southern Arkansas, at El Dorado, 2 p.m.
Northwestern Okla. State at Southeastern Okla. State, 2 p.m.
Oklahoma Baptist at East Central, 3 p.m.