The University of Arkansas at Monticello returned to Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton Bowl Stadium on Saturday to host Oklahoma Baptist University for a 2 pm kickoff to honor America’s Military and Veterans on Military Appreciation Day.
After the presenting of colors by the Watson Chapel ROTC students, the Weevils took to the field being led on the field with several players carrying American Flags onto the field.
The Weevils would win the coin toss and elected to receive the football to begin the contest.
Bison kicker, Patrick Maxwell, got the game underway with a 65 yard kick that went into the endzone for a touchback to give the Weevils possession at their own 25.
After a rush for zero yards by Demilon Brown, Brown would complete his first pass of the contest, a 17 yard reception by Isaiah Cross.
UAM would move into Bison territory and would reach the OBU 35 after an 11 yard catch by Jordan Mansfield for a Weevil first down.
The Weevils would be forced to punt after a holding penalty and an incomplete pass with Dylan Duhin punting the ball to the OBU four with no return.
Beginning their first drive from their own four yard line, the Bison gained nine yards on their first play from scrimmage on a run by EJ Moore.
Moore would get the call on all plays but one as the Bison moved into Weevil territory.
OBU would move the ball to the UAM three with seconds remaining in the quarter when Moore would put the first score on the board.
Carter Lowry added the extra point to give OBU a 7-0 lead.
After UAM was forced to punt on their next possession, OBU would extend their lead on their first drive of the second quarter.
OBU would begin the drive at their own 27 and would reach the UAM 23 where the Bison would settle for a 39 yard field goal from Patrick Maxwell to extend the lead to 10-0.
The score would remain through the end of the half.
Returning from the break, UAM would get the first turnover of the second half after J’Wuan Turner forced and recovered a fumble on the kickoff return at the OBU 25.
UAM would get a 43 yard field goal from Dylan Duhon to cut the lead to 10-3.
OBU would begin their drive at their own three yard line.
After an eight yard run by Morre to the 11, OBU Quarterback Camden McCrary would connect with Darius Melton for 34 yards to the OBU 45.
On the next play, McCrary would connect with Michael Marshall for a 55 yard touchdown.
After the extra point, OBU extended the lead to 17-3.
Buddy Taylor would come in at the quarterback position for UAM on the next drive that started at their own 21 yard line.
Taylor’s first pass would fall incomplete but a holding call against the Weevils would bring the ball back to the 11.
Another incomplete pass by Taylor, but a pass interference penalty against OBU gave the Weevil a first down at the 21.
On 3rd and 9, Taylor would break free for 31 yards to the OBU 47.
UAM would get down to the one yard line where AJ Bullock would gain the one yard for the Weevil touchdown.
After the extra point the Weevils trailed 17-10.
OBU’s next drive would extend into the fourth quarter with the Bison getting a field goal to go up 20-10 with 13:34 remaining in the contest.
Buddy Taylor would continue to lead the Weevils on the next drive with the drive ending on a three yard run by Taylor for a Weevil touchdown with 9:33 remaining.
After the extra point, UAM had cut the lead to 20-17.
OBU would move the ball to the UAM 10 on their next possession, but the Weevil defense would force the Bison to turn the ball over on downs with 1:56 on the clock to give the Weevils possession on their own 10.
With the game clock ticking down, UAM would have a 4th and 4 from their own 16 but after a first down run, the play would be negated by a holding penalty to set up a 4th and 12.
Taylor would run for the first down to the 20.
A sideline penalty against UAM moved the ball back to the 10.
Taylor connected with Anthony Dansby for 63 yards to the OBU 27 and on the next play Taylor would get free for the 27 yard touchdown with 32 seconds remaining.
After the extra point the Weevils led 24-20.
The UAM defense would hold to end the contest to give UAM a comeback win.
For Buddy Taylor, he would finish the contest going 6 for 11 passing for 121 yards and would have seven carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns.
The Weevils will travel to Bethany, Oklahoma to face Southern Nazarene on Saturday for a 2 pm kickoff.
