Saturday, August 25, 2007

Plenty of threats on offense for UAPB


By NOAH TRISTER, Pine Bluff Commercial

LITTLE ROCK - Chris Wallace was the offensive player of the year in 2006 for the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

His top competition for the '07 award might be in his own locker room _ that's how talented Arkansas-Pine Bluff's offense could be.

Wallace threw for 1,978 yards and 19 touchdowns last year, helping UAPB earn a surprising berth in the SWAC title game. This year, a return trip won't be so surprising _ because of Wallace and the skilled players around him. Martell Mallet is back after rushing for 1,104 yards in 2006.

Mallet, of course, only became a star after Mickey Dean was hurt. Dean ran for 712 yards in 2005. Now he's back, too.

"It's a blessing and an honor just to be quarterbacking those guys," Wallace said.

Jason Jones was perhaps the offense's top big-play threat. He caught 34 passes for 867 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. Wallace is excited to have him back, too.

About the only thing that's changed on UAPB's offense is the offensive line, which faces a major overhaul. Wallace says he expects blitzes.

"A lot of people think that that's going to be our weakness," Wallace said, referring to opposing teams. "We're preparing for different things."

On defense, linebacker Timothy Turner is a preseason first-team all-SWAC selection. Turner was second on the team with 80 tackles a year ago.

Coach Mo Forte is expected to return to the sidelines this season. He spent most of the time in the press box last year because of a heart ailment.

Forte has overseen an impressive turnaround at UAPB, which last won a SWAC championship in 1966. The Golden Lions lost in the league title game last year to Alabama A&M, but they are a favorite to win the SWAC West again.

Wallace says that's no burden.

"I don't feel like we're pressured at all," he said. "I feel comfortable _ having a year under my belt as a quarterback."

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