MonticelloLive

The University of Arkansas at Monticello football team has never lost to the Golden Lions of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in season-opening games and fourth-year head coach Gwaine Mathews intends to keep it that way.
 
UAM is 6-0 in season-openers against UAPB, including the most recent win on September 10, 1983, when the Weevils barely escaped Pine Bluff with a 29-28 victory. All-time, UAM holds a 12-4 series record.
 
According to mapquest.com, only 51 miles separate the two towns, yet the squads have not meet on the gridiron since 1994, when UAPB handled the Weevils with a solid aerial attack, taking the 40-22 win back to Pine Bluff.
 
One reason could be competition levels. UAPB plays in what is now called the NCAA Division I-Football Championship Subdivision (previously I-AA). With some argument from notables among the Gulf South Conference and some other competitive NCAA Division II leagues, the competition level is higher for the Golden Lions and the rest of the teams of the FCS than that of the NCAA Division II.
 
“You know, I’m not quite sure why we haven’t played since ‘94,” said Mathews. “All I know is that opening up our season in Pine Bluff helps our program in a number of ways.”
 
One of those “number of ways” is money. With the economy like it is now, taking an unnecessary road trip takes a rough toll on a team’s budget. The only expenses UAM is responsible for this weekend is the bus trip 51 miles there, and 51 miles back, along with meals for the team’s 65-man travel roster.
 
The most recent depth chart shows a few changes on the defensive side, while the offense had to fill just three holes.
 
Making the transition from free safety to linebacker is senior Solomon Edwards (5-9, 185, Wilmot, Ark.). Edwards is not the prototypical linebacker, but when Coach Mathews is asked about the position change, this is what he says, “Sometimes it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog, and (Edwards) has a lot of fight.”
 
The reason for the change is the signing of Augustus Ashley (6-0, 185, Jacksonville, Fla.), who has assumed the starting free safety position. Ashley, known to the team as “Gus,” joins the Weevils after transferring from Central Florida, a Division I-FBS program that competes in the Sun Belt Conference.
 
“Gus gives our defense someone that has been there, seen the best players, and understands what he’s being told,” said Mathews. “He’s going to make an immediate impact, and my staff and I fully expect him to start shining on Saturday against UAPB.”
 
Still No. 1 on the depth chart at middle linebacker is the GSC’s leading tackler in 2007 Larry White (5-11, 225, Atlanta, Ga.), who has always been one of Coach Mathews’ star players.
 
“I signed Larry when I was at Tennessee-Chattanooga, and he followed me to UAM,” said Mathews. “He had an outstanding season last year, and I fully expect him to do the same this year.”
 
The other changes on the defensive side include Vincent Jackson (6-2, 215, Fordyce, Ark.) moving from defensive end to outside linebacker, Danzel Isaac (6-3, 200, Gainesville, Fla.) moving back to defensive end from outside linebacker, along with some new faces along the defensive front.
 
On the offensive side of the ball, the only significant changes are up front. Tripp Boatner (6-5, 315, Leesburg, Ga.) earned a starting spot at right tackle after serving 2007 as a backup at left tackle. Jacob Hughes (6-0, 265, Monticello, Ark.) moved up into the starting center spot after the departure of All-GSC pick Justin Waltz.
 
The receiving corps is identical to last year with Tim Harris (6-2, 210, Kansas City, Mo.), Jywin Ceaser (5-10, 180, Marerro, La.) and Clarence Denmark (5-11, 185, Jacksonville, Fla.) expected to take the field in UAM’s first offensive play.
 
Johnny Polite (5-5, 190, McGehee, Ark.) has big shoes to fill after the graduation of John L. Williams, arguably one of the best running backs in GSC history. Polite has a head start on the rest of the running backs since he had to fill in for Williams late last season. Mathews expects true freshman Andrel Johnson (5-9, 200, Metairie, La.) to get several touches this year to balance the UAM running game.
 
Another returner that needs no introduction to most is the defending GSC Freshman of the Year, sophomore quarterback Scott Buisson (5-10, 175, Metairie, La.). Buisson returns to UAM with a brand new offensive staff, but most of the same personnel that brought the UAM offense from last to first in rushing offense, while bring the passing game to third best in the conference.
 
“Our offense is top-notch, brother,” said Mathews. “The guys we have coming back understand the competition in this league, which is very important.”
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. from Golden Lion Stadium in Pine Bluff, Ark. The game will be broadcast live on KHBM-FM 93.7 in Monticello, which will be streamed across the Internet at uamsports.com. The pre-game show starts at approximately 5:30 p.m., which includes the pre-game coach’s report with Gwaine Mathews.