Boll Weevils Slip Past Wonder Boys 46-45

Cole Sears’ 10-yard touchdown run with 1:44 remaining sent the University of Arkansas-Monticello to a 46-45 Great American Conference win over nationally 24th-ranked Arkansas Tech University at Convoy Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium in Monticello on Saturday.

Josh Marini added the extra point following Sears’ scamper for the ninth and final lead change of the day.

Arkansas Tech (4-2 overall, 4-2 GAC) turned the ball over on downs at its own 39-yard line with 1:11 remaining and the Boll Weevils (3-3, 3-3) ran out the clock.

The first half alone saw five lead changes and a combined 492 yards of total offense.

Tech’s Ty Reasnor and UAM’s Sears both threw a touchdown pass in the first quarter to forge a 7-7 tie after 15 minutes.

The Boll Weevils took their first lead of the day on a 1-yard touchdown run by Jalen Tolliver at the 10:43 mark of the second quarter. The extra point try was no good, leaving UAM with a 13-7 edge.

Justin Bailey scored his first career rushing touchdown as a Wonder Boy and Eric Perez added the point after touchdown kick to push Tech in front 14-13 with 7:58 left in the second quarter.

Logan Penn answered with a 2-yard touchdown run for UA-Monticello at the 3:05 mark of the second period. The 2-point try was no good, and the Weevils led 19-14.

After a 53-minute weather delay, the Wonder Boys responded with a three-play, 65-yard scoring drive that resulted in a 9-yard touchdown run by Reasnor. Perez’s extra point extended Tech’s advantage to 21-19.

UAM’s Josh Marini closed out an eventful second quarter by making a 33-yard field goal with 20 seconds left. The Weevils went to the intermission leading 22-21.

UA-Monticello held a 32-28 lead at the end of three quarters. A 36-yard touchdown run by Reasnor followed by a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown by K.J. Reid thrust the Wonder Boys back in the lead at 42-32 with 13:10 left.

The Boll Weevils pulled within 42-39 thanks to a 20-yard touchdown pass from Sears to Tolliver with 8:43 left. After holding Tech to a 24-yard Perez field goal at the 5:50 mark, UAM marched 71 yards in nine plays for the tying touchdown and winning extra point.

Sears completed 29-of-49 passes for 365 yards and three touchdowns. Tolliver caught nine passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns.

ATU’s Bryan Allen moved into ninth place on the all-time list of Wonder Boys’ career rushing leaders on Saturday. He carried 17 times for 114 yards to reach 2,152 career rushing yards.

Reid finished with 14 tackles.

The Wonder Boys will face Southwestern Oklahoma State University for a 2 p.m. GAC contest in Weatherford, Okla., on Saturday, Oct. 14. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.