Playing at Convoy Leslie Cotton Bowl Stadium for the final time in the 2023 UAM Football Season, the Weevils looked to stop a seven game skid, hosting the Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm.
Honoring the Senior Class of the 2023 Weevils as well as senior members of the Cheerleading and marching band before kickoff, the Weevil Seniors would serve as captains for the contest.
Southern Nazarene came into Saturday’s contest with a 4-5 record and a 3-1 record on the road, the Crimson Storm would win the opening coin toss and would defer to the second half.
After the kickoff, the Weevils would begin the opening drive at there own 21 after a 15-yard return on the kickoff by Greg Hooks.
Freshman Austin Wadsworth would get the start against the Crimson Storm, and would miss his first pass attempt to Arlie Lee.
Wadsworth’s second pass was completed to Jovonnie Gibson for 24 yards and a first down.
UAM would advance the ball down to the SNU 29 before the drive stalled, turning the ball over on downs.
UAM’s defense was able to get to Southern Nazarene on their first possession including a six yard loss on a sack by Alfernee Hankins to quarterback Gage Porter.
After an incomplete pass, SNU would have to punt the ball away where Caleb Jacobs would take the punt at the UAM 45, returning the ball 10 yards to the SNU 45.
UAM would be first to punt on their next possession with SNU turning the ball over on their next possession after a sack by Hankins forced a fumble that was recovered by former Monticello Billie KJ Wells Jr giving UAM possession at the UAM 43.
UAM would be forced to punt on the next drive with SNU extending their next possession into the second quarter.
SNU would get on the board first in the contest at the 13:50 mark of the second quarter on a four-yard run by Jarvis Davis.
Adam Atwell would add the extra point to give the Crimson Storm a 7-0 lead.
UAM would begin their first drive of the second quarter at the UAM 20 and would be able to advance the ball to UAM 48 before having to punt the ball away.
SNU extended their lead on the next possession on a three-yard run by Gage Porter with the highlight of the drive being a 71 yard pass to Dalen Smith.
After the extra point, SNU led 14-0.
UAM would get their first score of the game on a defensive touchdown after Taylor Collins intercepted the Porter pass at the UAM 41, returning the ball 59 yards for the score.
Zachary Grisotti added the extra point to cut the lead to 14-7 with 2:24 remaining in the half.
SNU added one more score before halftime on a one-yard run by Porter and an Atwell kick gave the Crimson Storm a 21-7 lead at the half.
SNU would receive the ball to begin the second half with their drive ending on a turnover after Hankins forced his second fumble with Wells Jr recovering his second fumble of the contest at the UAM 5.
SNU would extend their lead with 3:16 remaining in the quarter with Porter once again scoring on a rushing touchdown, this time from nine yards out.
The extra point was blocked by Theron Bellard but the Crimson Storm would hold a 27-7 lead.
UAM would score on their next possession with freshman quarterback Caden Middleton connecting with Arlie Lee for a 36-yard touchdown strike. Grisotti added the extra point to cut the lead to 27-14 with 1:32 remaining in the quarter.
Southern Nazarene would add two more scores in the fourth quarter with the first coming on a 35-yard pass to Dalen Smith and the second on a seven yard run by Jarvis Davis.
In each score the extra point attempt was good as the Crimson Storm would take the contest 41-14 and hand the Weevils their eighth consecutive loss dropping their record to 2-8 on the season.
UAM will travel to Magnolia for their final game of the 2023 season in the annual “Battle of the Timberlands.”
The Weevils and the 8-2 Southern Arkansas Muleriders are scheduled for a 2 pm kickoff.
