MonticelloLive

Despite what has seemed to be non-stop rain for the past week, the University of Arkansas at Monticello football team is set to open its home portion of the 2008 schedule on Saturday, when the team hosts Missouri University of Science and Technology for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

For the most part, the southeast region of the United States has been dealing with the leftovers of Hurricane Gustav, and Monticello, Ark. is no different. The Weevils have not been able to practice outside for the majority of the past week due to the excessive rain and poor field conditions.

“Look brother, all this weather does right here is make us appreciate more and more each day what the new practice facility will give our program,” said fourth-year head coach Gwaine Mathews. “We have done a ton of walk-through practices this week, but that just isn’t enough.”

Mathews said the quarterbacks haven’t thrown a ball more than 40 yards, the defense has not defended a pass more than 40 yards, and the team has not been able to work at all on special teams. But Mathews is confident his team will rise to the challenge just like they did for the 21-7 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff last Saturday.

“This is the same boat that we were in for fall training camp,” said Mathews. “It rained and stormed a lot through camp, but we still found a way to get as prepared as we could be…The mindset of our players is not hindered by the weather…They are focused and will be ready to play come Saturday.”

On a more positive note, the National Weather Service is forecasting mostly sunny skies with a high near 89 for Saturday and only partly cloudy skies for Saturday night.

Looking inside the series with Missouri S&T, the two teams have met twice. The series opener was in 1939, when MST was then named Missouri School of Mines. The Miners took a 28-13 win, but last year the Weevils evened the series, bringing back to Monticello a 45-28 win in a game which the UAM defense allowed zero rushing yards and scored once from a fumble recovery and once more on an interception return.

Saturday’s game is the season-opener for Missouri S&T. Their season was scheduled to start last Thursday at Truman State, but inclement weather forced the game to be postponed.Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. from Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton-Boll Stadium. Pre-game festivities start at 4 p.m. with the “Walk of Champions,” when the team enters the stadium through the tailgating area.

The game can be heard live on the radio at KHBM-FM 93.7 in Monticello. That broadcast will be streamed over the Internet at uamsports.com. The pre-game show starts at approximately 5:30 p.m.