BY JEFFREY SLATTON, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
The calendar says five days. But when you factor in a rest day and a travel day, it’s seems much less.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Coach Maurice “Mo” Forte said it doesn’t matter how many days, his Golden Lions (0-1, 0-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference ) will be ready when they take on Alcorn State (0-1, 0-1 ) at 6: 30 tonight in Lorman, Miss., on ESPNU.
“You always would like to have a little more time to prepare. We’ve only had actually two days of preparation. We feel that we’re going to be ready to play,” Forte said.
UAPB opened the season with a 16-9 loss at Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, a game in which the Golden Lions’ offense sputtered to 70 rushing yards.
Is it better to come right back and play again, or would a bye week suit Forte more going into the second game ?
“We’d like to have more time, but we don’t have more time so that’s not going to change,” Forte said. “We always have a basic offense and a basic defense and everything else is just some offshoots of those things that you try to get ready for.”
Forte said UAPB had one of its longest practices of the season Tuesday before a walk-through Wednesday morning. Eliminating unforced errors was a focus. The Golden Lions fumbled four center-quarterback exchanges, losing two, in the loss to Mississippi Valley State. As a result, junior center Jonathan Porchia is expected to start at center over Patrick Kapuniai, who will move to another offensive line position.
“It is an area that we need to improve on. We didn’t play very well offensively, in particular on the offensive line. That’s one of the things we worked on this week. We’ve been working on it constantly,” Forte said. “We’ve got a lot of young kids that are playing up front. They’re good football players and one day they’ll be ready to play. Hopefully that day will be [tonight ].”
UAPB rushed 37 times for 70 yards, an average of 1. 9 yards per carry, against Mississippi Valley State. Quarterback Chris Wallace was the leading rusher with 38 yards. Martell Mallett gained 24 yards on five carries before straining a quadriceps muscle in the first half. Wallace completed 14 of 27 passes for 154 yards.
“We were very inconsistent in the things that we did. We had a couple of good runs, but not what we’re used to,” Forte said. “When you have a young offensive line you’re going to struggle at the beginning until they get the system down and understand what you’re trying to teach them as far as technique.”
Except for travel, Alcorn State is in a similar position after losing 31-10 at home to Grambling State on Saturday. The Braves had three turnovers and allowed a blocked punt.
“It was a struggle last week. We hope we’re getting better,” Forte said. “It’s a tough game every time we play Alcorn. We have to go out and fight and take it to them.”
UAPB vs. Alcorn State WHEN 6:30 tonight
WHERE Jack Spinks Stadium, Lorman, Miss.
RECORDS UAPB 0-1; Alcorn State 0-1
COACHES Maurice “ Mo’’ Forte (17-16 in fourth season at UAPB, 65-84-1 in 14th season overall ); Johnny Thomas (46-54 in 10th season at Alcorn State and overall)
LAST MEETING UAPB defeated Alcorn State 42-14 last season TV ESPNU RADIO KUAP-FM, 88.7,in Pine Bluff.
The calendar says five days. But when you factor in a rest day and a travel day, it’s seems much less.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Coach Maurice “Mo” Forte said it doesn’t matter how many days, his Golden Lions (0-1, 0-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference ) will be ready when they take on Alcorn State (0-1, 0-1 ) at 6: 30 tonight in Lorman, Miss., on ESPNU.
“You always would like to have a little more time to prepare. We’ve only had actually two days of preparation. We feel that we’re going to be ready to play,” Forte said.
UAPB opened the season with a 16-9 loss at Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, a game in which the Golden Lions’ offense sputtered to 70 rushing yards.
Is it better to come right back and play again, or would a bye week suit Forte more going into the second game ?
“We’d like to have more time, but we don’t have more time so that’s not going to change,” Forte said. “We always have a basic offense and a basic defense and everything else is just some offshoots of those things that you try to get ready for.”
Forte said UAPB had one of its longest practices of the season Tuesday before a walk-through Wednesday morning. Eliminating unforced errors was a focus. The Golden Lions fumbled four center-quarterback exchanges, losing two, in the loss to Mississippi Valley State. As a result, junior center Jonathan Porchia is expected to start at center over Patrick Kapuniai, who will move to another offensive line position.
“It is an area that we need to improve on. We didn’t play very well offensively, in particular on the offensive line. That’s one of the things we worked on this week. We’ve been working on it constantly,” Forte said. “We’ve got a lot of young kids that are playing up front. They’re good football players and one day they’ll be ready to play. Hopefully that day will be [tonight ].”
UAPB rushed 37 times for 70 yards, an average of 1. 9 yards per carry, against Mississippi Valley State. Quarterback Chris Wallace was the leading rusher with 38 yards. Martell Mallett gained 24 yards on five carries before straining a quadriceps muscle in the first half. Wallace completed 14 of 27 passes for 154 yards.
“We were very inconsistent in the things that we did. We had a couple of good runs, but not what we’re used to,” Forte said. “When you have a young offensive line you’re going to struggle at the beginning until they get the system down and understand what you’re trying to teach them as far as technique.”
Except for travel, Alcorn State is in a similar position after losing 31-10 at home to Grambling State on Saturday. The Braves had three turnovers and allowed a blocked punt.
“It was a struggle last week. We hope we’re getting better,” Forte said. “It’s a tough game every time we play Alcorn. We have to go out and fight and take it to them.”
UAPB vs. Alcorn State WHEN 6:30 tonight
WHERE Jack Spinks Stadium, Lorman, Miss.
RECORDS UAPB 0-1; Alcorn State 0-1
COACHES Maurice “ Mo’’ Forte (17-16 in fourth season at UAPB, 65-84-1 in 14th season overall ); Johnny Thomas (46-54 in 10th season at Alcorn State and overall)
LAST MEETING UAPB defeated Alcorn State 42-14 last season TV ESPNU RADIO KUAP-FM, 88.7,in Pine Bluff.
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