TEXARKANA, Ark. (Football) – Two hours before the game, the Javelinas were warming up shirtless in 46 degree rainy weather. Sixty minutes after action, the Hogs completed one of the biggest turnarounds in the National Collegiate Athletic Association regardless of division, defeating #RV Southern Arkansas University (9-3) 24-17 Saturday afternoon at Razorback Stadium to end 2016 9-3 overall.
 
Despite trailing in most statistical categories, Texas A&M University-Kingsville earned its seventh consecutive victory, the longest since 2010, and won the Fourth Annual Agent Barry Live United Bowl. Safety Devonte Williams returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown and recovered a fumble en route to earning the Bowl's Most Valuable Player honors.
 
The offense struggled in the first half but the defense and Tristan Hernandez more than held their own and in the second half, Myles Carr found Anthony Autry for two scores and Luis Lopez put the finishing touches on a wet afternoon. The many Javelina fans that braved the stormy weather were left celebrating with the trophy.
 
"Everyone on our team has bought into #10UnitsStrong and we wouldn't trade a player on this team," said head coach Daren Wilkinson. "Today was a prime example of that, but we are so proud of how we came together as a team. It was truly a remarkable season."
 
Hernandez was the busiest student-athlete Saturday, averaging 37.7 yards per punt. Overall, the senior attempted 10 punts and pinned four inside the 20 to flip field position in the first half. Lopez finished with three catches for 22 yards and 17 carries for 60 yards, while Autry's two receptions for 70 yards led to points for TAMUK.
 
Defensively, Trevor Moses was all over the field, collecting 15 tackles and 1.5 TFL, while Forrest Jones broke up a touchdown pass and ended his collegiate career with 10 tackles and two forced fumbles Saturday. Peyton Tilley, Williams and Sean Landez recovered fumbles and Tilley added a seven-yard sack.
 
First Quarter
In Kingsville's opening drive, Hernandez booted a punt 55 yards to the SAU7 and in the next drive, the Muleriders' fumble was recovered by Tilley at the TAMUK25 and returned 17 yards. Stepping on the field two more times in the quarter, Hernandez had punts of 46 and 57, respectively, all inside the SAU20. The game was scoreless after one.
 
Second Quarter
The Javelina defense stood tall as the Muleriders began a drive in TAMUK territory, limiting Southern Arkansas to a field goal with 8:48 remaining in the first half.
 
SAU went for it on 4^th-and-2 in its next drive and Kuziah Ferebee blew up the play for the first of two turnover on downs. Moments later, Williams picked off Barrett Renner 58 yards and six points to give A&M-Kingsville a 6-3 lead with 29 seconds remaining in the frame. Julio De la Garza found the uprights on the PAT and the Hogs went into the half with a 7-3 edge.
 
Offense was at a premium in the first half with the Muleriders dominating the time of possession.
 
Third Quarter
In SAU's opening drive of the second half, Michael Nunnery fumbled for the second time, forced by Forrest Jones and recovered by Williams.
 
The longest Javelina drive of the game was a direct result of the defense turnover as the Hogs took advantage of two Mulerider penalties, capped off by the first connection between Carr and Autry. The 29 yard reception extended the lead 14-3. Southern Arkansas cut it to four with a TD from Renner to Tanner Hudson with 4:22 left to play.
 
Fourth Quarter
Hernandez began the fourth with a punt downed at the opposing 6. In their next drive, Carr found Autry for a 41-yard touchdown reception to make it 21-10 with 9:52, and Forrest Jones' forced fumble on the kickoff was recovered by Landez. De la Garza connected on a 32-yard field goal with 8:10 remaining to make it 24-10.
 
Southern Arkansas attempted a comeback and scored a TD, but Lopez's rushing attack in the final drive of the game closed out the season on a high note as A&M-Kingsville won the first ever matchup between the two programs, 24-17.
 
Year two under coach Wilkinson ends 9-3 overall and 6-3 in LSC play.
 
Fans are also encouraged to interact with @JavelinaSports by following Texas A&M-Kingsville football on Twitter, @JavelinaFB, and @JavelinaFB on Instagram, liking the official Facebook page of Javelina football (/JavelinaFootball) and subscribing to the JavelinaAthletics YouTube channel.