MONTICELLO – The keyword in trying to beat Southern Nazarene University was “redemption,” something the University of Arkansas at Monticello is already experiencing nearly halfway through the season.
The Boll Weevils redeemed themselves after bad snaps that sent a strong drive backward, and they enjoyed their best rushing performance of the season Saturday in a 23-9 homecoming victory.
Not only that, but linebacker Ghee Evans also collected 4 sacks as part of his game-high 17 tackles.
UAM (2-3 overall and Great American) won its first homecoming game since 2019, when it beat Southern Nazarene 31-28. The Weevils have also won two straight for the first time since the start of the 2024 season and held a team without a touchdown for the first time since beating Arkansas Tech University 34-0 in 2019.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“A lot of good things to be happy about,” said Hud Jackson, who won his 50th game as UAM’s coach. “To build that chemistry and that culture that you need, you know, with the team, that’s what’s coming along. That’s what I’m excited about.”
The Weevils ran by committee 39 times for 205 yards, employing a strong option attack in the process. Wide receiver Chasden Collins ran 6 times for 73 yards, gaining 30 of them off a lateral pass in the fourth quarter.
Isaiah Broadway, the University of Central Arkansas transfer, carried 12 times for 66 yards in just his second game as a Weevil after dealing with injuries from the offseason. Jaylen Sulton ran 6 times for 55 yards.
“Knowing our stories and coming together to be in this position, it’s a blessing,” said Sulton, who scored the winning touchdown with 61 seconds last Saturday at Arkansas Tech. “I’m glad I have those guys’ back. It makes me go harder and makes me do better. And just to compete with them and compete with myself, I feel like there’s nobody else that can stop us honestly.”
Freshman Ford Stinson – who’s listed as Charles Stinson in the program but goes by his middle name – converted field goals of 22, 39 and 24 yards to tie a school record for most makes in a game. Jamie McGee was the last Weevil to make 3 field goals, doing so twice in 2013.
“It feels good every time, making (all my tries),” Stinson said. “I just gotta do what I can for the team, but I just gotta go out there, try my best in every game. I’ve been feeling better about it because you know, (being a) freshman and everything, I’m kind of nervous at first, but I feel like I’m feeling better.”
Stinson missed a chance to set the record when his 29-yard try with 41 seconds left in the game sailed wide left.
Kameron Van Prooyen went 3 for 3 with a long of 37 yards for the Crimson Storm (1-4).
Tavion Faulk threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to freshman Dylan Dronet to put UAM ahead 10-3 with 7:11 left before halftime. Faulk, the Great American Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week, completed 14 of 23 passes for 136 yards.
The Weevils had a good rhythm going on the opening drive until two bad snaps resulting in a total loss of 41 yards pushed them into a fourth-and-45 situation from their own 16.
Southern Nazarene, with a top-10 Great American rusher in running back Kaden Barron, put together explosive runs on its first drive, but the Weevils held the Crimson Storm to a 34-yard Van Prooyen field goal with 5:11 left in the opening quarter.
The ball literally bounced the Weevils’ way at the most opportune time on their next drive. Linebacker Carter Brock intercepted Faulk on a pass up the middle deep in UAM territory but fumbled right back to the Weevils at the 11.
Four plays later, Stinson kicked his 22-yarder. He made his second field goal with 9:00 left in the third quarter to give the Weevils a 13-6 edge.
The Crimson Storm, who were outgained 341-238, pulled within 10-6 on a 26-yard Van Prooyen kick with 55 seconds left before halftime.
As the two kickers traded field goals in the third quarter, Faulk rushed 6 yards to build a 20-9 Weevil cushion. Stinson’s 24-yard kick set the final score.
Quarterback Bryson Evans carried 21 times for 65 yards, and Barron rushed 9 times for 34 yards. Evans also completed just 8 of 22 for 96 yards and was sacked 5 times.
UAM will visit Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee next Saturday for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misidentified the position of Kaden Barron.