Boll weevils devastated cotton crops in the southern United States from 1892-1922 and continued to be a threat in Arkansas throughout the remainder of the 20th century.
It took a sustained nine-year effort by the Arkansas State Plant Board from 1997-2006 to finally eradicate the boll weevil from the Natural State.
The Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys have been similarly plagued by the Boll Weevils who play football at the University of Arkansas-Monticello since 2017. UAM has won seven of the last eight meetings between the two programs, including a 31-24 victory in Russellville last season.
Arkansas Tech will try to eradicate UAM’s hold on the series when the Wonder Boys (2-1) visit the Boll Weevils (0-3) for a 6 p.m. Great American Conference contest at Convoy Leslie Cotton Boll Stadium in Monticello on Saturday, Sept. 26.
Live coverage of the ATU-UAM game will be available on KCJC 102.3 FM, www.rivervalleyradio.com/river-country and www.arkansastechsports.com.
Arkansas Tech suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday, dropping a 34-17 decision to Ouachita Baptist University. The Tigers outgained the Wonder Boys 307-71 in rushing yards.
“We’re trying to get the right guys on the field in the right situations,” said Roy Thompson, ATU head football coach. “A big part of that is finding guys you can trust to align and assign properly and do their job at an elite level.
“I don’t know that we’ve played our best football game yet,” continued Thompson. “That’s our goal this week…to come out there and play a complete game…a three-phase game on offense, defense and special teams. I’m looking forward to us having that first game because I think once we get all three phases doing their job at an elite level and carrying out their assignments, we’re going to break through and really go on a run.”
Arkansas Tech is led statistically through three games by quarterback Carter Hensley (51-of-73 passing, 581 yards, three touchdowns), running back Tracy Daniels (29 rushes, 155 yards, two touchdowns), wide receiver J.D. DeCausmaker (11 receptions, 149 yards), linebacker Kolbey Ballowe (22 tackles, two tackles for a loss) and kicker Fernando Ventura (3-of-3 on field goals).
UA-Monticello features the offensive talents of quarterback Drew Forkner, who ranks third in the GAC in passing (215 yards per game), and running back Dave Alston, who ranks third in the GAC in rushing (92.3 yards per game).
Gary Goff is in his first season as the Boll Weevils’ head coach. He led Valdosta State University to an NCAA Division II national championship game appearance in 2021, and due to his connections to the Blazers, his mentors have included renowned offensive coaching minds Hal Mumme and the late Mike Leach.
UAM has yet to win a game, but strength of schedule might play a role in that. The three teams that have defeated the Boll Weevils this season have a combined overall record of 8-1.
“I’ve been telling people all week that UAM is the best 0-3 team in the country,” said Thompson. “They are well-coached, and they have a big-time quarterback. The running back is one of the best in the league. It’s a very talented football team. Coach Goff has some very unique running styles that he has combined with that explosive air raid offense. That makes it tough on defenses.”
Talk to you on the radio.
Tech Tidbits is a column written by Sam Strasner, ATU director of university relations and radio play-by-play voice for ATU football and basketball.
