general history sports information coaching staff team
Southern Arkansas University 2016 Mulerider Football Quick Facts
General
Coaching Staff
Name of School: .......................................................................Southern Arkansas University City/Zip:............................................................................................. Magnolia, AR 71753-5000 Founded:.................................................................................................................................... 1909 Enrollment:............................................................................................................................... 4,193 Nickname:...................................................................................................................... Muleriders School Colors:................................................................ Royal Blue (PMS 293)/Gold (PMS 110) Home field/capacity:........................................................................... Wilkins Stadium/6,000 Surface:................................................................................................................. RealGrass Turf Affiliation:.............................................................................................................. NCAA Division II Conference:.......................................................................................................... Great American President:............................................................................................................... Dr. Trey Berry Alma Mater, Yr.:............................................................................ Ouachita Baptist Univ./1984 Athletics Director:.............................................................................................. Steve Browning Alma Mater, Yr.:............................................................................... Southern Arkansas / 2001 Athletic Dept. Phone:.......................................................................................... (870) 235-4102 Ticket Office Phone:........................................................................................... (870) 235-4102
Head Coach............................................................................................ Bill Keopple Alma Mater, Year.............................................................................. Central Arkansas, 1982 Record at SAU..............................................................................................33-39 (8th Year) College Career record..................................................................................................... Same Football office phone.......................................................................................(870) 235-4110
History First year of Football:................................................................................................................ 1911 All-time bowl/playoff record:................................................................................................ 2-4 No. yrs. in Post-season play:...................................................................................................... 6 Last post-season app.:.......................................................................2012 Heart of Texas Bowl Result:.......................................................................................................36-35 loss to McMurry All-Time Record:........................................................................................................ 455-429-30
Sports Information Sports Information Director:............................................................................Daniel Gallegos SID Email:...................................................................................................... [email protected] SID Office Phone:................................................................................................. (870) 235-4104 SID Cell Phone:.....................................................................................................(501) 442-2930 SID Graduate Assistant:...................................................................................Jacob Pumphrey SID Fax:................................................................................................................. (870) 235-5362 Press Box Phone:.................................................................................................. (870) 235-4117 SID Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9420 Magnolia, AR 71754-9420 Overnight Address:............................................................................. 100 E. University Street Magnolia, AR 71753-5000 Athletics Website:...................................................................... www.muleriderathletics.com Athletics Twitter:............................................................................................ @MuleriderSports SAU Football Twitter:..............................................................................................@SAUFootball ***All media/interview requests must be made through the sports information office at Southern Arkansas.
Offensive Coordinator................................................................ Landon Keopple Position.......................................................................................................Quarterbacks Alma Mater, Year.........................................................................................Tulsa, 2006 Defensive Coordinator..................................................................... Josh Lawson Position.............................................................................................................Secondary Alma Mater, Year.................................................................................. Alabama, 2003 Assistant Coach........................................... Robert “Boomer” Cunningham Position..............................................................................DL/Recruiting Coordinator Alma Mater, Year..................................................................Central Arkansas, 2009 Assistant Coach........................................................................ Wade Henderson Position..........................................................................................................Linebackers Alma Mater, Year..................................................................... Mississippi State, 1991 Assistant Coach............................................................................ Benson Jordan Position.......................................................... Linebackers/Strength & Conditioning Alma Mater, Year.....................................................................Ouachita Baptist, 2013 Graduate Assistant................................................................. Nicholas Sanders Position..................................................................................................... Running Backs Alma Mater, Year.............................................................................Alcorn State, 2014 Graduate Assistant.......................................................................... Beaux Gipson Position....................................................................................................Wide Receivers Alma Mater, Year................................................................ Mississippi College, 2015 Graduate Assistant.................................................................... Maclin Chermak Position..................................................................................................Defensive Backs Alma Mater, Year............................................................Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2012 Football Athletic Trainer.............................................................. Hannah Sutton Alma Mater, Year.............................................................. Southern Arkansas, 2009
Team Information 2014 Overall record .......................................................................................................................7-4 2014 Conference record/finish .......................................................................................7-4 / 5th Final ranking last year (poll).......................................................................................................N/A Basic Offense ...........................................................................................................................Spread Basic Defense...................................................................................................................................4-3 Lettermen Returning ........................................................................................................................41 Lettermen Lost ..................................................................................................................................22 Starters Returning ........................................................16........................(8 Offense, 8 Defense) Starters Lost ....................................................................6........................(3 Offense, 3 Defense)
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1
Southern Arkansas University 2016 Mulerider Football Quick Facts
2016 Schedule Date Opponent 9/1/2016 *Southwestern Oklahoma State University 9/10/2016 *Northwestern Oklahoma State University (Family Day) 9/17/2016 *Harding University 9/24/2016 *Arkansas Tech University 10/1/2016 *Southern Nazarene University (Homecoming/Hall of Fame) 10/8/2016 *Oklahoma Baptist University 10/15/2016 *Ouachita Baptist University 10/22/2016 *Henderson State University (Murphy USA Classic) 10/29/2016 *Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Senior Day) 11/5/2016 *East Central University 11/12/2016 *University of Arkansas at Monticello (Battle of the Timberlands)
Location Weatherford, Okla. Magnolia, Ark. Searcy, Ark. Magnolia, Ark. Magnolia, Ark. Shawnee, Okla. Arkadelphia, Ark. El Dorado, Ark. Magnolia, Ark. Ada, Okla. Monticello, Ark.
Bold - Home Games * - Great American Conference Game
2
www.muleriderathletics.com | @MuleriderSports | @SAUFootball
H/A/N A H A H H A A N H A A
Time 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 2 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m.
Southern Arkansas University 2016 Mulerider Football Quick Facts
Key Offensive Returners Pos. Name Cls. Ht. Wt. QB Barrett Renner So. 6-3 192 RB Michael Nunnery Jr.. 5-10 243 FB Garrett Turnbull Jr. 6-2 225 WR Jonathan Weisheit Jr. 5-11 175 WR Karonce Higgins So. 6-1 179 TE Tanner Hudson Jr. 6-5 206 OL Chris Paul Sr. 6-2 290 OL Mark Jenkins Sr. 6-1 355 OL Marquon Edmond Sr. 6-3 308
2015 Stats and Awards GAC Freshman of the Year, All-GAC First-Team (QB), Don Hansen All-Region (HM) 3,333 yards on 252-of-405 passing, 33 TDs 107 carries for 473 yds., 6 TDs, averaged 4.4 ypr, 2 recieving TDs 14 receptions for 146 yards, 4 TDs All-GAC Second-Team (WR) 49 rec. for 658 yards, 3 TDs, 13.4 ypc, long of 75 yards 23 punt returns for 229 yards, 1 TD 22 rec. for 499 yards, 5 TDs, 22.7 ypc, long of 61 yards All-GAC Second-Team (TE), D2CCA All-Region Second-Team 44 rec. for 697 yards, 8 TDs, 15.8 ypc, long of 62 yards All-GAC Honorable Mention (OL) Played in all 11 games, making 11 starts Played and started first nine games, missed last two to injury Played in 10 games; making five starts
Key Defensive Returners Pos. Name Cls. Ht. Wt. DB Elgin Moore Jr. 6-0 190 DB Darren Crawford Jr. 5-9 190 DB Q’Niko Thomas Sr. 5-10 190 DL Calvin Lyons Sr. 6-2 278 DL Davondrick Lison So. 6-2 225 DL Kendrix McCann So. 5-10 250 LB Malik Preston So. 6-0 237
2015 Stats and Awards All-GAC Second-Team (DB) 31 total tackles, one interception 36 total tackles, 3 INTs, 14 passes defended, 2.0 TFL 78 total tackles, 1 INT, 7 passes defended, 3.5 TFL All-GAC Second-Team (DL) 20 total tackles, 3.0 TFL All-GAC Honorable Mention (DL), D2CCA All-Region Second-Team, Don Hansen All-Region Third-Team 62 total tackles, 17.5 TFL, 9.0 sacks, 10 QBH, 7 forced fumbles 44 total tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery 60 total tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
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Southern Arkansas University 2016 Mulerider Football Quick Facts
Bill Keopple Head Coach
Eighth Season Central Arkansas (1982) Career Record: 33-39 At SAU: Same Bill Keopple enters into his eighth season as the head football coach at Southern Arkansas. In his time at SAU, Keopple has coached 39 all-conference players, 15 all-academic honorees, 12 all-region selections, and four All-Americans. In terms of record, Keopple has amassed a 33-39 overall record with 26 of those wins coming over the last four seasons. In that time, Keopple has guided the Mulerider football program to a .500 winning percentage or better each year, highlighted by an 8-3 year in 2012 which saw the Muleriders make their first post-season appearance since 2003. Additionally, in those last four years, the Muleriders have a .619 winning percentage and are an impressive 15-3 (.833) at home. Last season in 2015, Keopple led the Muleriders to a 7-4 overall record across their GAC-exclusive schedule. That year, the Muleriders remained one of the top overall offenses in the GAC and NCAA Division II as SAU led the league and ranked 20th in DII in Total Offense with 471.3 yards per game. It was the second-straight year that the Muleriders led the GAC in Total Offense as the year prior, SAU averaged 505.4 yards per game. That total offense average in 2014 ranked the Muleriders 10th in DII. Over the last four years under Keopple, offense has certainly been a strength of the program as the Muleriders have averaged 477.4 yards of total offense with 277.6 of the yards coming through the air and 176.0 yards coming on the ground. Along with the yardage gained, Keopple’s offense has been able to put points on the board at a high rate. Last year, the Muleriders aver4
aged 35.5 points per game; making it four-straight years in which the team would exceed 35.0 points per game. Over that time, the Muleriders have averaged 36.8 points per game. While Keopple’s high-powered offenses over the past four seasons have taken many of the headlines, his defensive unit has enjoyed outstanding success as well in his time at SAU. In 2012, Keopple’s defense led the GAC and ranked sixth nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 91.4 yards per game. In 2013, the Muleriders’ defense would force 26 turnovers, ranking them 44th in DII. Sixteen (16) of those forced turnovers came via the interception as SAU ranked 33rd nationally in passes intercepted on defense. Keopple’s recent success at SAU comes as no surprise as his previous coaching experience includes Division I assistant coaching stints at Arkansas, Boise State, and Central Arkansas. In addition to his extensive previous collegiate coaching experience, Keopple spent the six seasons prior to coming to SAU as the head coach at Arkansas High in Texarkana. While at Arkansas High, Keopple he led his teams to two consecutive state championships 2006 and 2007. Overall, Keopple amassed a 44-26-1 record during his six seasons. In 2006, Keopple was honored as the 6A State Farm Coach of the Year. That same year, he was also named as the 6A Outstanding Coach by the National Football Foundation, a feat he would repeat in 2007. Keopple was also selected to serve on the high school football All-Star coaching staffs in 2004 and 2007. Before taking over the reins at Texarkana, Keopple spent the 2002 season at the University of Tulsa on former Arkansas defensive coordinator Keith Burns’ staff. He spent that season coaching the defensive line and serving as recruiting coordinator for the Hurricanes. Keopple served as an assistant under Houston Nutt at Arkansas in 1998 and 1999 and was with Nutt at Boise State in 1997, coaching the defensive line at both schools. The Razorbacks were 1998 SEC Western Division champions and finished 9-3, playing Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. The 1999 Razorbacks went 8-4
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Southern Arkansas University 2016 Mulerider Football Quick Facts and defeated Texas in the Cotton Bowl, finishing the season 12th in rushing defense and 17th in total defense. Keopple went to Boise State from Newport High School where he was head coach and athletic director in 1996. He guided the Greyhounds to the state playoffs with an 8-3 record, giving him an overall mark of 52-29-1 in his seven years as a head coach on the high school level. Graduating with a B.S.E. in 1982 and an M.S.E. in 1986 from Central Arkansas, Keopple began his coaching career there in 1982 as a graduate assistant working with the offensive line. He spent 14 years with the Bears, tutoring the offensive line the entire time and serving as offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator from 1990-95. During his tenure at UCA, the Bears won three NAIA national championships and 10 consecutive conference championships from 1983-92 in the former Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC). A native of Little Rock Arkansas, Keopple is the son of Hall of Fame high school coach C.W. Keopple. A 1976 graduate of Parkview High School, he played on the 1974 and 1976 state championship teams and was an all-state and super team selection his senior season. During his playing days at Central Arkansas, Keopple was a member of two conference championship teams and was an
honorable mention selection on both the All-NAIA District 17 and All-AIC teams. His senior season he was selected team captain by his teammates, and the Bears were the regular season No. 1 team in the country with an undefeated record, advancing to the national playoffs. Keopple has been a part of 18 championship teams as a player and coach. He is married to the former Marsha Lee Belew from Beebe and has two adult children.
The Keopple File Education:
Year-by-Year at SAU:
Central Arkansas B.S.E. (1982) Central Arkansas M.S.E (1986)
Coaching Experience: 1982 1983-95 1996 1997 1998-99 2002 2003-08 2009-
Graduate Assistant OL/OC/Recruiting Coor. Head Coach/AD DL/Pro Scout Liaison DL/HS Relations Liaison DL/Recruiting Coordinator Head Coach Head Coach
Head Coaching Record:
1996 Newport HS 2003-08 Arkansas HS 2009- Southern Arkansas 14 years
Central Arkansas Central Arkansas Newport High Boise State Univ. of Arkansas Tulsa Arkansas High Southern Arkansas
8-3-0 (State Playoffs) 44-26-1 33-39-0 85-68-1
2009 3-7 (2-6 GSC) 2010 1-9 (1-7 GSC) 2011 3-7 (3-4 GAC) 2012 8-3* (6-2 GAC) 2013 6-4 (6-4 GAC) 2014 5-5 (5-5 GAC) 2015 7-4 (7-4 GAC) Total: 33-39 (30-32) *Appeared in Heart of Texas Bowl
Coach Bill Keopple, his wife Marsha Keopple and their family
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Southern Arkansas University 2016 Mulerider Football Quick Facts Southern Arkansas Football Southern Arkansas Combined Team Statistics (2015 FINAL) All games Date Opponent * Sep 05, 2015 SOUTHWESTERN OKLA. * Sep 12, 2015 at Northwestern Okla. * Sep 19, 2015 #16 HARDING * Sep 26, 2015 at Arkansas Tech * Oct 3, 2015 at Southern Nazarene * Oct 10, 2015 OKLAHOMA BAPTIST *$ Oct 17, 2015 vs Ouachita Baptist * Oct 24, 2015 at #14 Henderson State * Oct 31, 2015 at Southeastern Okla. * Nov 07, 2015 EAST CENTRAL *%Nov 14, 2015 ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO * - Great American Conference Game $ - Murphy USA Classic % - Battle of the Timberlands Rushing
Michael Nunnery Deandre Jenkins Barrett Renner William McKnight Jonathan Weisheit Tevin McDonald Omari Jones Demario Hayes Karonce Higgins Sidney Moore Tanner Hudson Robert Clay Total Opponents Passing
11-5 7-6 11-11 10-0 11-5 11-11 5-0 5-0 11-2 11-10 11-0 1-0 11 11
att
gain loss
Att. 2874 1350 5871 5576 1133 5621 4872 4129 1979 1125 2871
net avg
td
gp-gs
effic comp-att-int
pct
53 43.0 26 64.9 30 34.5 55 36.4 54 5.0 29 3.6 11 5.0 4 3.0 11 1.3 9 0.8 4 0.4 1 1.0 55 162.7 65 183.7
yds
td
11-11 152.31 252-405-12 5-0 85.57 6-13-0 11-5 0.00 0-1-0 11 149.88 258-419-12 11 107.81 180-364-10
62.2 3333 33 46.2 61 0 0.0 0 0 61.6 3394 33 49.5 2335 11
Receiving
gp-gs
td
Field Goals
Bradford Grems Scoring
Bradford Grems Michael Nunnery William McKnight Tanner Hudson Tevin McDonald Karonce Higgins Garrett Turnbull Deandre Jenkins Jonathan Weisheit Daven Reese Elgin Moore Malik Preston Kendrix McCann Jaylon Dews Demario Hayes Total Opponents Score by Quarters Southern Arkansas Opponents ## Defensive Leaders
no.
yds
11-5 49 658 11-0 44 697 11-11 38 407 11-10 26 296 11-2 22 499 7-6 16 132 11-0 15 112 11-7 14 146 11-0 7 157 10-0 7 70 10-0 7 69 11-9 7 68 11-5 4 68 10-0 2 15 11 258 3394 11 180 2335 fg
3-5 td
pct. 01-19
60.0 0-0 fg
- 3-5 8 8 8 6 5 4 4 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 56 3-5 45 7-10
kick
45-52 45-52 40-42
avg
13.4 15.8 10.7 11.4 22.7 8.2 7.5 10.4 22.4 10.0 9.9 9.7 17.0 7.5 13.2 13.0 20-29
2-2
lg avg/g
75 303.0 21 12.2 0 0.0 75 308.5 53 212.3
lg avg/g
3 8 5 1 5 0 0 4 1 2 0 2 2 0 33 11
75 59.8 62 63.4 33 37.0 28 26.9 61 45.4 20 18.9 14 10.2 30 13.3 66 14.3 15 7.0 19 6.9 19 6.2 49 6.2 10 1.5 75 308.5 53 212.3
30-39
40-49
1-2
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0-3 2 2-2
-
lg blk
31
.
gp-gs
.
ua
a
Tackles tot
0
pts
- 54 - 48 - 48 - 48 - 36 - 30 - 24 - 24 - 24 - 12 6 6 6 6 6 - 390 2 339
2nd 3rd 4th OT Total 75 95 101 119 0 390 www muleriderathletics 65 78 75 121 0 339com
1st
Interceptions
no.
Elgin Moore Darren Crawford Tevion Hicks Q'Niko Thomas Quan Warren
4 3 1 1 1
Away 2-3 2-3 0-0
yds avg
88 18 -5 0 45
22.0 6.0 -5.0 0.0 45.0 lg
39 1465 37.6 61 4 164 41.0 55 1 0 0.0 0
td
2 0 0
23 23 17
229 10.0 229 10.0 146 8.6
yds avg
td
Kick Returns
no.
yds avg
td
All Purpose
Jonathan Weishe Sidney Moore Tanner Hudson Deandre Jenkins Karonce Higgins Total Opponents Total Offense
Barrett Renner Michael Nunnery Deandre Jenkins William McKnight Omari Jones Total Opponents
26 588 7 134 4 49 3 54 3 69 2 74 45 968 60 1224
g
rush
rcv
22.6 19.1 12.2 18.0 23.0 37.0 21.5 20.4 pr
50 14 0 0 45
tb
no.
OPP 245 111 101 33 2021 466 4.3 183.7 34 2335 180-364-10 6.4 13.0 212.3 11 4356 5.2 396.0 60-1224 17-146 12-89 16-9 88-827 64-39.5 29:16 69/174 14/26 lg
1 0 0 0 0
Punt Returns
Sidney Moore Karonce Higgins Jared Brown Tevin McDonald Deandre Jenkins Jonathan Weisheit Total Opponents
Neutral 1-0 1-0 0-0
SAU 273 102 146 25 1790 427 4.2 162.7 19 3394 258-419-12 8.1 13.2 308.5 33 5184 6.1 471.3 45-968 23-229 10-146 22-15 86-795 44-37.0 30:44 89/166 9/22
no. yds avg
Jonathan Weisheit Total Opponents
0-0
Home 4-1 4-1 0-0
Team Statistics FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty RUSHING YARDAGE Rushing Attempts Average Per Rush Average Per Game TDs Rushing PASSING YARDAGE Comp-Att-Int Average Per Pass Average Per Catch Average Per Game TDs Passing TOTAL OFFENSE Average Per Play Average Per Game KICK RETURNS: #-Yards PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards INT RETURNS: #-Yards FUMBLES-LOST PENALTIES-Yards PUNTS-AVG TIME OF POSSESSION/Game 3RD-DOWN Conversions 4TH-DOWN Conversions
Tanner Hudson Kyler Means TEAM
50-99
0-1
Overall 7-4 7-4 0-0
Punting
PAT rush rcv pass dxp saf
0-1 0-1
Record: All games Conference Non-Conference
lg avg/g
107 505 32 473 4.4 6 105 478 24 454 4.3 4 109 612 232 380 3.5 1 73 385 21 364 5.0 6 3 57 2 55 18.3 0 5 40 0 40 8.0 1 7 27 2 25 3.6 0 4 15 0 15 3.8 1 1 14 0 14 14.0 0 1 9 0 9 9.0 0 1 4 0 4 4.0 0 1 1 0 1 1.0 0 427 2147 357 1790 4.2 19 466 2324 303 2021 4.3 34
Barrett Renner Omari Jones Jonathan Weisheit Total Opponents Jonathan Weisheit Tanner Hudson Tevin McDonald Sidney Moore Karonce Higgins Deandre Jenkins Jared Brown Garrett Turnbull Jaylon Dews William McKnight Kaylen Burks Daven Reese Michael Nunnery Kile Pletcher Total Opponents
6
gp-gs
Score 28-24 49-14 42-70 21-44 55-20 38-20 32-28 28-29 13-35 35-26 49-29
W W L L W W W L L W W
1 1 0
fc i20 50+ blk
4 0 0
6 1 0
5 1 0
1 0 0
lg
46 46 19 lg
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
85 32 16 20 29 39 85 75
kr
ir
total avg/g
11 55 658 229 74 0 1016 92.4 11 9 296 0 588 0 893 81.2 11 4 697 0 0 0 701 63.7 7 454 132 0 69 0 655 93.6 11 14 499 0 134 0 647 58.8 11 1790 3394 229 968 146 6527 593.4 11 2021 2335 146 1224 89 5815 528.6 g plays
11 11 7 10 5 11 11
rush
pass
total avg/g
514 380 3333 3713 337.5 107 473 0 473 43.0 105 454 0 454 64.9 73 364 0 364 36.4 20 25 61 86 17.2 846 1790 3394 5184 471.3 830 2021 2335 4356 396.0
| @MuleriderSports | @SAUFootball tfl/yds
Sacks no-yds
Pass defense int-yds brup
qbh
Fumbles rcv-yds
ff
blkd kick
saf
General
Coaching Staff
Name of School: .......................................................................Southern Arkansas University City/Zip:............................................................................................. Magnolia, AR 71753-5000 Founded:.................................................................................................................................... 1909 Enrollment:............................................................................................................................... 4,193 Nickname:...................................................................................................................... Muleriders School Colors:................................................................ Royal Blue (PMS 293)/Gold (PMS 110) Home field/capacity:........................................................................... Wilkins Stadium/6,000 Surface:................................................................................................................. RealGrass Turf Affiliation:.............................................................................................................. NCAA Division II Conference:.......................................................................................................... Great American President:............................................................................................................... Dr. Trey Berry Alma Mater, Yr.:............................................................................ Ouachita Baptist Univ./1984 Athletics Director:.............................................................................................. Steve Browning Alma Mater, Yr.:............................................................................... Southern Arkansas / 2001 Athletic Dept. Phone:.......................................................................................... (870) 235-4102 Ticket Office Phone:........................................................................................... (870) 235-4102
Head Coach............................................................................................ Bill Keopple Alma Mater, Year.............................................................................. Central Arkansas, 1982 Record at SAU..............................................................................................33-39 (8th Year) College Career record..................................................................................................... Same Football office phone.......................................................................................(870) 235-4110
History First year of Football:................................................................................................................ 1911 All-time bowl/playoff record:................................................................................................ 2-4 No. yrs. in Post-season play:...................................................................................................... 6 Last post-season app.:.......................................................................2012 Heart of Texas Bowl Result:.......................................................................................................36-35 loss to McMurry All-Time Record:........................................................................................................ 455-429-30
Sports Information Sports Information Director:............................................................................Daniel Gallegos SID Email:...................................................................................................... [email protected] SID Office Phone:................................................................................................. (870) 235-4104 SID Cell Phone:.....................................................................................................(501) 442-2930 SID Graduate Assistant:...................................................................................Jacob Pumphrey SID Fax:................................................................................................................. (870) 235-5362 Press Box Phone:.................................................................................................. (870) 235-4117 SID Mailing Address: P.O. Box 9420 Magnolia, AR 71754-9420 Overnight Address:............................................................................. 100 E. University Street Magnolia, AR 71753-5000 Athletics Website:...................................................................... www.muleriderathletics.com Athletics Twitter:............................................................................................ @MuleriderSports SAU Football Twitter:..............................................................................................@SAUFootball ***All media/interview requests must be made through the sports information office at Southern Arkansas.
Offensive Coordinator................................................................ Landon Keopple Position.......................................................................................................Quarterbacks Alma Mater, Year.........................................................................................Tulsa, 2006 Defensive Coordinator..................................................................... Josh Lawson Position.............................................................................................................Secondary Alma Mater, Year.................................................................................. Alabama, 2003 Assistant Coach........................................... Robert “Boomer” Cunningham Position..............................................................................DL/Recruiting Coordinator Alma Mater, Year..................................................................Central Arkansas, 2009 Assistant Coach........................................................................ Wade Henderson Position..........................................................................................................Linebackers Alma Mater, Year..................................................................... Mississippi State, 1991 Assistant Coach............................................................................ Benson Jordan Position.......................................................... Linebackers/Strength & Conditioning Alma Mater, Year.....................................................................Ouachita Baptist, 2013 Graduate Assistant................................................................. Nicholas Sanders Position..................................................................................................... Running Backs Alma Mater, Year.............................................................................Alcorn State, 2014 Graduate Assistant.......................................................................... Beaux Gipson Position....................................................................................................Wide Receivers Alma Mater, Year................................................................ Mississippi College, 2015 Graduate Assistant.................................................................... Maclin Chermak Position..................................................................................................Defensive Backs Alma Mater, Year............................................................Wisconsin-Green Bay, 2012 Football Athletic Trainer.............................................................. Hannah Sutton Alma Mater, Year.............................................................. Southern Arkansas, 2009
Team Information 2014 Overall record .......................................................................................................................7-4 2014 Conference record/finish .......................................................................................7-4 / 5th Final ranking last year (poll).......................................................................................................N/A Basic Offense ...........................................................................................................................Spread Basic Defense...................................................................................................................................4-3 Lettermen Returning ........................................................................................................................41 Lettermen Lost ..................................................................................................................................22 Starters Returning ........................................................16........................(8 Offense, 8 Defense) Starters Lost ....................................................................6........................(3 Offense, 3 Defense)
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1
Southern Arkansas University 2016 Mulerider Football Quick Facts
2016 Schedule Date Opponent 9/1/2016 *Southwestern Oklahoma State University 9/10/2016 *Northwestern Oklahoma State University (Family Day) 9/17/2016 *Harding University 9/24/2016 *Arkansas Tech University 10/1/2016 *Southern Nazarene University (Homecoming/Hall of Fame) 10/8/2016 *Oklahoma Baptist University 10/15/2016 *Ouachita Baptist University 10/22/2016 *Henderson State University (Murphy USA Classic) 10/29/2016 *Southeastern Oklahoma State University (Senior Day) 11/5/2016 *East Central University 11/12/2016 *University of Arkansas at Monticello (Battle of the Timberlands)
Location Weatherford, Okla. Magnolia, Ark. Searcy, Ark. Magnolia, Ark. Magnolia, Ark. Shawnee, Okla. Arkadelphia, Ark. El Dorado, Ark. Magnolia, Ark. Ada, Okla. Monticello, Ark.
Bold - Home Games * - Great American Conference Game
2
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H/A/N A H A H H A A N H A A
Time 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m. 2 p.m. 2 p.m. 3 p.m.
Southern Arkansas University 2016 Mulerider Football Quick Facts
Key Offensive Returners Pos. Name Cls. Ht. Wt. QB Barrett Renner So. 6-3 192 RB Michael Nunnery Jr.. 5-10 243 FB Garrett Turnbull Jr. 6-2 225 WR Jonathan Weisheit Jr. 5-11 175 WR Karonce Higgins So. 6-1 179 TE Tanner Hudson Jr. 6-5 206 OL Chris Paul Sr. 6-2 290 OL Mark Jenkins Sr. 6-1 355 OL Marquon Edmond Sr. 6-3 308
2015 Stats and Awards GAC Freshman of the Year, All-GAC First-Team (QB), Don Hansen All-Region (HM) 3,333 yards on 252-of-405 passing, 33 TDs 107 carries for 473 yds., 6 TDs, averaged 4.4 ypr, 2 recieving TDs 14 receptions for 146 yards, 4 TDs All-GAC Second-Team (WR) 49 rec. for 658 yards, 3 TDs, 13.4 ypc, long of 75 yards 23 punt returns for 229 yards, 1 TD 22 rec. for 499 yards, 5 TDs, 22.7 ypc, long of 61 yards All-GAC Second-Team (TE), D2CCA All-Region Second-Team 44 rec. for 697 yards, 8 TDs, 15.8 ypc, long of 62 yards All-GAC Honorable Mention (OL) Played in all 11 games, making 11 starts Played and started first nine games, missed last two to injury Played in 10 games; making five starts
Key Defensive Returners Pos. Name Cls. Ht. Wt. DB Elgin Moore Jr. 6-0 190 DB Darren Crawford Jr. 5-9 190 DB Q’Niko Thomas Sr. 5-10 190 DL Calvin Lyons Sr. 6-2 278 DL Davondrick Lison So. 6-2 225 DL Kendrix McCann So. 5-10 250 LB Malik Preston So. 6-0 237
2015 Stats and Awards All-GAC Second-Team (DB) 31 total tackles, one interception 36 total tackles, 3 INTs, 14 passes defended, 2.0 TFL 78 total tackles, 1 INT, 7 passes defended, 3.5 TFL All-GAC Second-Team (DL) 20 total tackles, 3.0 TFL All-GAC Honorable Mention (DL), D2CCA All-Region Second-Team, Don Hansen All-Region Third-Team 62 total tackles, 17.5 TFL, 9.0 sacks, 10 QBH, 7 forced fumbles 44 total tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery 60 total tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
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3
Southern Arkansas University 2016 Mulerider Football Quick Facts
Bill Keopple Head Coach
Eighth Season Central Arkansas (1982) Career Record: 33-39 At SAU: Same Bill Keopple enters into his eighth season as the head football coach at Southern Arkansas. In his time at SAU, Keopple has coached 39 all-conference players, 15 all-academic honorees, 12 all-region selections, and four All-Americans. In terms of record, Keopple has amassed a 33-39 overall record with 26 of those wins coming over the last four seasons. In that time, Keopple has guided the Mulerider football program to a .500 winning percentage or better each year, highlighted by an 8-3 year in 2012 which saw the Muleriders make their first post-season appearance since 2003. Additionally, in those last four years, the Muleriders have a .619 winning percentage and are an impressive 15-3 (.833) at home. Last season in 2015, Keopple led the Muleriders to a 7-4 overall record across their GAC-exclusive schedule. That year, the Muleriders remained one of the top overall offenses in the GAC and NCAA Division II as SAU led the league and ranked 20th in DII in Total Offense with 471.3 yards per game. It was the second-straight year that the Muleriders led the GAC in Total Offense as the year prior, SAU averaged 505.4 yards per game. That total offense average in 2014 ranked the Muleriders 10th in DII. Over the last four years under Keopple, offense has certainly been a strength of the program as the Muleriders have averaged 477.4 yards of total offense with 277.6 of the yards coming through the air and 176.0 yards coming on the ground. Along with the yardage gained, Keopple’s offense has been able to put points on the board at a high rate. Last year, the Muleriders aver4
aged 35.5 points per game; making it four-straight years in which the team would exceed 35.0 points per game. Over that time, the Muleriders have averaged 36.8 points per game. While Keopple’s high-powered offenses over the past four seasons have taken many of the headlines, his defensive unit has enjoyed outstanding success as well in his time at SAU. In 2012, Keopple’s defense led the GAC and ranked sixth nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 91.4 yards per game. In 2013, the Muleriders’ defense would force 26 turnovers, ranking them 44th in DII. Sixteen (16) of those forced turnovers came via the interception as SAU ranked 33rd nationally in passes intercepted on defense. Keopple’s recent success at SAU comes as no surprise as his previous coaching experience includes Division I assistant coaching stints at Arkansas, Boise State, and Central Arkansas. In addition to his extensive previous collegiate coaching experience, Keopple spent the six seasons prior to coming to SAU as the head coach at Arkansas High in Texarkana. While at Arkansas High, Keopple he led his teams to two consecutive state championships 2006 and 2007. Overall, Keopple amassed a 44-26-1 record during his six seasons. In 2006, Keopple was honored as the 6A State Farm Coach of the Year. That same year, he was also named as the 6A Outstanding Coach by the National Football Foundation, a feat he would repeat in 2007. Keopple was also selected to serve on the high school football All-Star coaching staffs in 2004 and 2007. Before taking over the reins at Texarkana, Keopple spent the 2002 season at the University of Tulsa on former Arkansas defensive coordinator Keith Burns’ staff. He spent that season coaching the defensive line and serving as recruiting coordinator for the Hurricanes. Keopple served as an assistant under Houston Nutt at Arkansas in 1998 and 1999 and was with Nutt at Boise State in 1997, coaching the defensive line at both schools. The Razorbacks were 1998 SEC Western Division champions and finished 9-3, playing Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. The 1999 Razorbacks went 8-4
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Southern Arkansas University 2016 Mulerider Football Quick Facts and defeated Texas in the Cotton Bowl, finishing the season 12th in rushing defense and 17th in total defense. Keopple went to Boise State from Newport High School where he was head coach and athletic director in 1996. He guided the Greyhounds to the state playoffs with an 8-3 record, giving him an overall mark of 52-29-1 in his seven years as a head coach on the high school level. Graduating with a B.S.E. in 1982 and an M.S.E. in 1986 from Central Arkansas, Keopple began his coaching career there in 1982 as a graduate assistant working with the offensive line. He spent 14 years with the Bears, tutoring the offensive line the entire time and serving as offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator from 1990-95. During his tenure at UCA, the Bears won three NAIA national championships and 10 consecutive conference championships from 1983-92 in the former Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference (AIC). A native of Little Rock Arkansas, Keopple is the son of Hall of Fame high school coach C.W. Keopple. A 1976 graduate of Parkview High School, he played on the 1974 and 1976 state championship teams and was an all-state and super team selection his senior season. During his playing days at Central Arkansas, Keopple was a member of two conference championship teams and was an
honorable mention selection on both the All-NAIA District 17 and All-AIC teams. His senior season he was selected team captain by his teammates, and the Bears were the regular season No. 1 team in the country with an undefeated record, advancing to the national playoffs. Keopple has been a part of 18 championship teams as a player and coach. He is married to the former Marsha Lee Belew from Beebe and has two adult children.
The Keopple File Education:
Year-by-Year at SAU:
Central Arkansas B.S.E. (1982) Central Arkansas M.S.E (1986)
Coaching Experience: 1982 1983-95 1996 1997 1998-99 2002 2003-08 2009-
Graduate Assistant OL/OC/Recruiting Coor. Head Coach/AD DL/Pro Scout Liaison DL/HS Relations Liaison DL/Recruiting Coordinator Head Coach Head Coach
Head Coaching Record:
1996 Newport HS 2003-08 Arkansas HS 2009- Southern Arkansas 14 years
Central Arkansas Central Arkansas Newport High Boise State Univ. of Arkansas Tulsa Arkansas High Southern Arkansas
8-3-0 (State Playoffs) 44-26-1 33-39-0 85-68-1
2009 3-7 (2-6 GSC) 2010 1-9 (1-7 GSC) 2011 3-7 (3-4 GAC) 2012 8-3* (6-2 GAC) 2013 6-4 (6-4 GAC) 2014 5-5 (5-5 GAC) 2015 7-4 (7-4 GAC) Total: 33-39 (30-32) *Appeared in Heart of Texas Bowl
Coach Bill Keopple, his wife Marsha Keopple and their family
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Southern Arkansas University 2016 Mulerider Football Quick Facts Southern Arkansas Football Southern Arkansas Combined Team Statistics (2015 FINAL) All games Date Opponent * Sep 05, 2015 SOUTHWESTERN OKLA. * Sep 12, 2015 at Northwestern Okla. * Sep 19, 2015 #16 HARDING * Sep 26, 2015 at Arkansas Tech * Oct 3, 2015 at Southern Nazarene * Oct 10, 2015 OKLAHOMA BAPTIST *$ Oct 17, 2015 vs Ouachita Baptist * Oct 24, 2015 at #14 Henderson State * Oct 31, 2015 at Southeastern Okla. * Nov 07, 2015 EAST CENTRAL *%Nov 14, 2015 ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO * - Great American Conference Game $ - Murphy USA Classic % - Battle of the Timberlands Rushing
Michael Nunnery Deandre Jenkins Barrett Renner William McKnight Jonathan Weisheit Tevin McDonald Omari Jones Demario Hayes Karonce Higgins Sidney Moore Tanner Hudson Robert Clay Total Opponents Passing
11-5 7-6 11-11 10-0 11-5 11-11 5-0 5-0 11-2 11-10 11-0 1-0 11 11
att
gain loss
Att. 2874 1350 5871 5576 1133 5621 4872 4129 1979 1125 2871
net avg
td
gp-gs
effic comp-att-int
pct
53 43.0 26 64.9 30 34.5 55 36.4 54 5.0 29 3.6 11 5.0 4 3.0 11 1.3 9 0.8 4 0.4 1 1.0 55 162.7 65 183.7
yds
td
11-11 152.31 252-405-12 5-0 85.57 6-13-0 11-5 0.00 0-1-0 11 149.88 258-419-12 11 107.81 180-364-10
62.2 3333 33 46.2 61 0 0.0 0 0 61.6 3394 33 49.5 2335 11
Receiving
gp-gs
td
Field Goals
Bradford Grems Scoring
Bradford Grems Michael Nunnery William McKnight Tanner Hudson Tevin McDonald Karonce Higgins Garrett Turnbull Deandre Jenkins Jonathan Weisheit Daven Reese Elgin Moore Malik Preston Kendrix McCann Jaylon Dews Demario Hayes Total Opponents Score by Quarters Southern Arkansas Opponents ## Defensive Leaders
no.
yds
11-5 49 658 11-0 44 697 11-11 38 407 11-10 26 296 11-2 22 499 7-6 16 132 11-0 15 112 11-7 14 146 11-0 7 157 10-0 7 70 10-0 7 69 11-9 7 68 11-5 4 68 10-0 2 15 11 258 3394 11 180 2335 fg
3-5 td
pct. 01-19
60.0 0-0 fg
- 3-5 8 8 8 6 5 4 4 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 56 3-5 45 7-10
kick
45-52 45-52 40-42
avg
13.4 15.8 10.7 11.4 22.7 8.2 7.5 10.4 22.4 10.0 9.9 9.7 17.0 7.5 13.2 13.0 20-29
2-2
lg avg/g
75 303.0 21 12.2 0 0.0 75 308.5 53 212.3
lg avg/g
3 8 5 1 5 0 0 4 1 2 0 2 2 0 33 11
75 59.8 62 63.4 33 37.0 28 26.9 61 45.4 20 18.9 14 10.2 30 13.3 66 14.3 15 7.0 19 6.9 19 6.2 49 6.2 10 1.5 75 308.5 53 212.3
30-39
40-49
1-2
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 0-3 2 2-2
-
lg blk
31
.
gp-gs
.
ua
a
Tackles tot
0
pts
- 54 - 48 - 48 - 48 - 36 - 30 - 24 - 24 - 24 - 12 6 6 6 6 6 - 390 2 339
2nd 3rd 4th OT Total 75 95 101 119 0 390 www muleriderathletics 65 78 75 121 0 339com
1st
Interceptions
no.
Elgin Moore Darren Crawford Tevion Hicks Q'Niko Thomas Quan Warren
4 3 1 1 1
Away 2-3 2-3 0-0
yds avg
88 18 -5 0 45
22.0 6.0 -5.0 0.0 45.0 lg
39 1465 37.6 61 4 164 41.0 55 1 0 0.0 0
td
2 0 0
23 23 17
229 10.0 229 10.0 146 8.6
yds avg
td
Kick Returns
no.
yds avg
td
All Purpose
Jonathan Weishe Sidney Moore Tanner Hudson Deandre Jenkins Karonce Higgins Total Opponents Total Offense
Barrett Renner Michael Nunnery Deandre Jenkins William McKnight Omari Jones Total Opponents
26 588 7 134 4 49 3 54 3 69 2 74 45 968 60 1224
g
rush
rcv
22.6 19.1 12.2 18.0 23.0 37.0 21.5 20.4 pr
50 14 0 0 45
tb
no.
OPP 245 111 101 33 2021 466 4.3 183.7 34 2335 180-364-10 6.4 13.0 212.3 11 4356 5.2 396.0 60-1224 17-146 12-89 16-9 88-827 64-39.5 29:16 69/174 14/26 lg
1 0 0 0 0
Punt Returns
Sidney Moore Karonce Higgins Jared Brown Tevin McDonald Deandre Jenkins Jonathan Weisheit Total Opponents
Neutral 1-0 1-0 0-0
SAU 273 102 146 25 1790 427 4.2 162.7 19 3394 258-419-12 8.1 13.2 308.5 33 5184 6.1 471.3 45-968 23-229 10-146 22-15 86-795 44-37.0 30:44 89/166 9/22
no. yds avg
Jonathan Weisheit Total Opponents
0-0
Home 4-1 4-1 0-0
Team Statistics FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty RUSHING YARDAGE Rushing Attempts Average Per Rush Average Per Game TDs Rushing PASSING YARDAGE Comp-Att-Int Average Per Pass Average Per Catch Average Per Game TDs Passing TOTAL OFFENSE Average Per Play Average Per Game KICK RETURNS: #-Yards PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards INT RETURNS: #-Yards FUMBLES-LOST PENALTIES-Yards PUNTS-AVG TIME OF POSSESSION/Game 3RD-DOWN Conversions 4TH-DOWN Conversions
Tanner Hudson Kyler Means TEAM
50-99
0-1
Overall 7-4 7-4 0-0
Punting
PAT rush rcv pass dxp saf
0-1 0-1
Record: All games Conference Non-Conference
lg avg/g
107 505 32 473 4.4 6 105 478 24 454 4.3 4 109 612 232 380 3.5 1 73 385 21 364 5.0 6 3 57 2 55 18.3 0 5 40 0 40 8.0 1 7 27 2 25 3.6 0 4 15 0 15 3.8 1 1 14 0 14 14.0 0 1 9 0 9 9.0 0 1 4 0 4 4.0 0 1 1 0 1 1.0 0 427 2147 357 1790 4.2 19 466 2324 303 2021 4.3 34
Barrett Renner Omari Jones Jonathan Weisheit Total Opponents Jonathan Weisheit Tanner Hudson Tevin McDonald Sidney Moore Karonce Higgins Deandre Jenkins Jared Brown Garrett Turnbull Jaylon Dews William McKnight Kaylen Burks Daven Reese Michael Nunnery Kile Pletcher Total Opponents
6
gp-gs
Score 28-24 49-14 42-70 21-44 55-20 38-20 32-28 28-29 13-35 35-26 49-29
W W L L W W W L L W W
1 1 0
fc i20 50+ blk
4 0 0
6 1 0
5 1 0
1 0 0
lg
46 46 19 lg
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
85 32 16 20 29 39 85 75
kr
ir
total avg/g
11 55 658 229 74 0 1016 92.4 11 9 296 0 588 0 893 81.2 11 4 697 0 0 0 701 63.7 7 454 132 0 69 0 655 93.6 11 14 499 0 134 0 647 58.8 11 1790 3394 229 968 146 6527 593.4 11 2021 2335 146 1224 89 5815 528.6 g plays
11 11 7 10 5 11 11
rush
pass
total avg/g
514 380 3333 3713 337.5 107 473 0 473 43.0 105 454 0 454 64.9 73 364 0 364 36.4 20 25 61 86 17.2 846 1790 3394 5184 471.3 830 2021 2335 4356 396.0
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