ADA – The East Central University football team opened the 2013 season at home for the first time in seven years and made it a game to remember, earning a 46-22 win over Arkansas-Monticello in a Great American Conference game at Norris Field.  The win was the first opening game win for the Tigers (1-0, 1-0 GAC) since 2011 when they defeated Incarnate Word 21-21 on the road.

Box Score I Photo Gallery

While the Boll Weevils (0-1, 0-1 GAC) garnered more total offensive yards (297-349), ECU capitalized on four interceptions and one fumble recovery to  add to their yardage for the game.  The Tigers added 138 yards on interceptions, with one touchdown to gain an advantage.

ECU was the first to get on the scoreboard with 6:12 left in the first quarter.  Senior Justin Todd capped off a 13-play, 80-yard drive with a four-yard run for a touchdown.

UAM added the next five points, with a field goal and a safety to cut the deficit to 7-5.

Junior Qumain Black then set up the second Tiger touchdown of the game, with his first interception of the night.  Black returned the pick 58 yards to the UAM5.  Three plays later sophomore Spencer Bond rushed in one yard for a TD with 2:30 left in the first quarter.

The Boll Weevils added a 24-yard field goal at the start of the second quarter to make the score 14-8.

However, that is when ECU took over, scoring two touchdowns, a field goal and safety before the end of the first half.  Junior JoJo Snell scored the first TD, with 10:26 left in the second. and Todd added a second, with 7:56 remaining.

Junior David Massuere sent a 38-yard field goal through the uprights, with 5:31 remaining, and ECU added two more points on a safety, with 1:14 left to play in the half for the 33-8 advantage.

In the second half the team's both traded touchdowns, with UAM scoring first.  The Tigers scoring came on a five-yard pass to Lindsay Anderson and an 80-yard interception return by Black for the 46-22 final.

Snell lead the rushing offense with 101 total yards on 16 carries.  Todd added 97 yards on eight carries and two TD's.

Bond went 7-of-17 for 73 yards in the air.  His top connection was with senior George Robbins for 21 yards on two catches.

Junior Kellan Taeatafa-DeLaRosa led the defense with eight solo tackles, three tackles-for-loss (11 yards), one sack (eight yards) and one forced fumble and recovery.  Black ended the game with two interceptions for 138 yards, while senior Fred Gaines and sophomore Jamaal Whitney each earned a pick.

The Tigers will hit the road for the first GAC away test, Sept. 14 in Magnolia, Ark.  ECU will face Southern Arkansas at Wilkins Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff.