LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas-Monticello at Tarleton State WHEN 7 p.m. Central today WHERE Tarleton Memorial Stadium, Stephenville, Texas RADIO KHBM-FM, 93.7, in Monticello INTERNET uamsports.com RECORDS Arkansas-Monticello 0-0; Tarleton State 0-0 COACHES Gwaine Mathews (13-31 in fourth season at Arkansas-Monticello); Sam McElroy (30-12 in fourth season at Tarleton State) SERIES Arkansas-Monticello leads 2-1 WHAT TO LOOK FOR No cupcakes here. Arkansas-Monticello is starting the season on the road with a strong team from a strong conference. A poor performance tonight could be a sign of problems to come.
KEYS FOR ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO This will be the debut of offensive coordinator Derek Warehime and his new offense. Tarleton State was strong defensively a year ago, so the Boll Weevils will need to execute the new system with precision.
- Doug Crise Arkansas Tech at Northeastern (Okla.) State WHEN 7 p.m. Central today WHERE Doc Wadley Stadium, Tahlequah, Okla.
RADIO KWKK-FM, 100.9, in Russellville INTERNET http://athletics.atu.edu RECORDS Arkansas Tech 0-0; Northeastern State 0-0 COACHES Steve Mullins (76-51 in 13th season at Arkansas Tech); Kenny Evans (1-10 in second season at Northeastern State) SERIES Tied 19-19-2 WHAT TO LOOK FOR Arkansas Tech has a history of good transfer quarterbacks, and another one will be unveiled tonight when Nevada transfer Nick Graziano makes his NCAA Division II debut.
KEYS FOR ARKANSAS TECH The defense, playing its first game under new coordinator Jeff Byrd, will need to give Graziano time to get his feet under him.
- Doug Crise
Henderson State at Southeastern Oklahoma
WHEN 7 p.m. Central today WHERE Paul Laird Field, Durant, Okla.
RADIO KDEL-FM, 100.9, in Arkadelphia; KAGL-FM, 93.3, in El Dorado; KLEZ-FM, 101.5, Hot Springs RECORDS Henderson State 0-0; Southeastern Oklahoma 0-0 COACHES Scott Maxfield (23-19 in fifth year at Henderson State); Ray Richards (24-17 in fourth year at Southeastern Oklahoma) SERIES Henderson State leads 13-6, WHAT TO LOOK FOR Henderson State has unknowns by the truckload on both sides of the ball after having a large senior class in 2008. It will be interesting to see how so many new faces handle being on the same field for the first time.
KEYS FOR HENDERSON STATE Senior quarterback Roch Charpentier must get used to a new group of receivers and running backs, and do so quickly.
Sports, Pages 22 on 08/27/2009