It was a beautiful afternoon for college football, and for the residents of Arlington, TX, that’s what they got. While many students at the University of Texas at Arlington are awaiting big time football, the Mavericks are home of a club football team led by head coach Robert Green. The Mavericks entered their first home game 0-2 and were looking to pick up their first win among the friendly folks at Mavericks Stadium.
The Mavericks who had played in the Texas United Football League, a semi pro league, the past couple of years, have shifted gears to play other college club football teams across the country. They have already played the University of New Orleans club football team in New Orleans and will play them next week at home. Further, the Mavericks went to Selma, AL to take on NAIA football team at Concordia College.
Saturday’s game at Maverick Stadium was the first time this fall the Mavericks played a home game, and they made it worth the wait. Elijah Fuller took advantage of his opportunity after an injury to fellow running back Jason Griffin. The Freshman from Corsicana gashed the South Alabama Jaguar defense repeatedly putting his cut-back skill on display as he rushed for three touchdowns including runs of 22 yards, 2 yards and 45 yards, the third touchdown ran out of a single-set back with three receivers lined up to the right. Fuller had another longer touchdown out of the same formation that was called back due to a block in the back.
“He ran hard,” coach Green said about Fuller after the game. “He’s got vision like nobody’s business. When you see him in practice, all he is all smiles. . . . . He did good, really, really good.”
Griffin finished the game with one touchdown on the very first offensive play for the Mavericks. After the Mavericks held the Jaguars to a three-and-out, linebacker Joaquin Turner blocked the punt and the Mavericks recovered on the Jaguar four yard line. Griffin took the hand-off from quarterback Chris Mercado and ran left beating the Jaguar defense to the edge and giving the Mavericks a 7-0 lead after the PAT.
Marcus Williams celebrates after scoring a late-game touchdown.
The Jaguars responded later in the quarter after a muffed punt by the Mavericks punt returner when Anthony Hunter got in from the seven yard line. Hunter was trouble for the Mavericks all day as he ran through the Mavericks defense, often on third and fourth down. The Jaguars took a 14-7 lead later when quarterback Tyler Davis scored on a quarterback keeper from the two yard line with 11:34 left in the first half.
The Mavericks tied the score with 9:18 left in the first half on Fuller’s first touchdown run. Fuller took the ball from Mercado and headed left blowing past defenders and hurdling a would-be-tackler before racing in to the end zone. Fuller scored again with 1:43 left in the half after the Mavericks made a fourth-down stop. The Mavericks led 21-14 at halftime.
In the second half, the Mavericks got the ball and scored first on Fuller’s 45 yard touchdown run. The PAT was blocked and the Mavericks held a 27-14 lead. However, the Jaguars responded with a 67 yard touchdown drive aided by two fourth down conversions. Once again, it was Hunter that got the touchdown from the one foot line at 5:12 left in the third quarter cutting the Mavericks lead to 27-21.
Disaster struck again on special teams on the ensuing drive for the Mavericks. After failing to get a first down, the Mavericks were set to punt, but the ball was snapped over punter Matt Funk’s head. The Jaguars recovered the ball at the 14 yard line with a chance to take the lead. The Jaguars would convert a third straight fourth down conversion to keep alive a potential game-winning drive.
However, on the first play of the fourth quarter, the Mavericks defense made the first of two game defining plays. On third down from the four yard line, the Mavericks dropped the Jaguars for a loss back at the nine yard line. Then, for the fourth straight time, the Jaguars coach elected to go for it on fourth down. The Jaguars pass fell incomplete with 14:19 left in the fourth quarter turning the ball over on downs.
With the ball in the shadow of their own end zone, the Mavericks turned to Fuller to give them room to operate. On a third down and three, Fuller took the ball left and crossed back to his right clearing the defenders on his way to an 84 yard touchdown. However, the play was brought back due to an illegal block. In spite of the penalty, the Mavericks had the ball on the Jaguars 42 yard line. The Mavericks’ Funk would later attempt a 35 yard field goal that was blocked.
The Mavericks would hold the Jaguars again getting the ball back with six minutes left in the game. Mercado then hooked up with Marcus Williams for a touchdown pass putting the game away 34-21.
“It was a good win,” an obviously happy coach Green said after the game. “It’s good to see guys happy that we actually won, or that we played well. We didn’t have as many mistakes as we have had in the past.”
Next Saturday, the Mavericks will play a second game against the University of New Orleans. The campus is gearing up for a big weekend with Parents Weekend and players are inviting fans to participate in tailgating at the stadium beginning at 1 pm. “Next week it’s hopefully going to be big,” said Green,”we have a lot of folks, it’s Parent’s Weekend. Hopefully we can get out there and really have a showing.”
The game was broadcast live on UTARadio.com and delayed at PennyEntertainment.com. Penny Entertainment will be back next week to cover the game.
Check out our photo stream below from the UTA game!
