MONTICELLO, Ark. - The East Central University football team hit the road to face the Arkansas-Monticello Boll Weevils on their Homecoming Day. After a tough loss in their own Homecoming game the previous week, the Tigers came back strong, securing a hard-fought 35-28 victory, increasing their record to 2-3 on the year.
 
Despite ECU going three and out in their opening possession, the Tigers quickly turned things around in their next drive, embarking on a 10-play, 69-yard march down the field. Miles Davis played a pivotal role in this drive, breaking through with a 13-yard rush that set the Tigers up at the UAM01-yard line. Jaren Hendricks finished the job with a one-yard rush into the end zone, and Tommy Yousey's successful PAT gave ECU an early 7-0 lead.
 
The ECU defense showcased its strength in the first quarter, forcing UAM to punt on two out of their three possessions. The Tigers were determined to maintain their momentum from there.
 
In the second quarter, UAM looked like they might knot the score, piecing together a nine-play, 43-yard drive. However, Jimmy Pitts came up clutch once again with a timely interception that halted the Boll Weevils' progress. Yet, UAM found a way to strike back in the same quarter.
 
The Boll Weevils blocked an ECU punt, giving them the opportunity to score their first touchdown to level the score at 7-7. The Tigers, however, responded swiftly. After starting quarterback Zy Gravitt took a hard tackle that forced him to leave the field, Jaiave Magalei stepped in and made an immediate impact. With his very first throw of the game, Magalei connected with Isaiah Willhoite for a spectacular 77-yard touchdown pass that put the Tigers back in the lead, 14-7.
 
With just eight seconds left on the clock before the half, ECU extended their lead further with a 12-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Moore, bringing the score to 21-7 going into the break.
 
Out of the locker room, ECU continued to keep the pressure on. They orchestrated a six-play, 74-yard drive highlighted by a remarkable 37-yard reception by Moore for his second touchdown of the game, pushing their lead to 28-7.
 
By the beginning of the fourth quarter, UAM managed to work their way back into the game, narrowing the score to 27-21. However, Ameer Muhammad came up with a crucial interception, setting the stage for Miles Davis to deliver the final blow with a 17-yard rushing touchdown, extending the Tigers' lead to 35-21.
 
In the dying moments of the game, UAM squeezed in one last touchdown, but it was too little, too late. The Tigers emerged victorious with a final score of 35-28, securing a well-deserved win on the road.
 
Quarterback Jaiave Magalei went 11 for 20 with 194 passing yards and contributed three total touchdowns, connecting with C.J. Moore for two and Isaiah Willhoite for the other.
 
Ameer Muhammad led a strong Tiger defense with nine solo tackles and an interception while Jimmy Pitts recorded his fifth interception of the season to lead the GAC.
 
Kicker Tommy Yousey went a perfect five for five on PATs while Reece Conner had eight punts, averaging 42.4 yards with a long of 54 yards to help the Tigers control field position.
 
The ECU football team will return to Ada for a Great American Conference matchup against fifth-ranked Ouachita Baptist University on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 pm.