Timing is a problem for UAPB Golden Lions

By Beck Cross and Nick Walker, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Scheduling a home-and home series against Football Championship Subdivision powerhouse Southern Illinois might have seemed like a good idea when the contract was finalized almost three years ago, but the matchup probably couldn’t come at a worse time for Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

UAPB, which dropped to 1-2 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play with a lastminute 12-10 loss last Saturday to Alabama State, won’t have the luxury of playing a nonconference cupcake when it travels to Carbondale, Ill., on Saturday to face the Salukis.

Southern Illinois (3-0 ), which defeated UAPB 48-16 last year at Golden Lion Stadium, is ranked No. 6 in the collegesportingnews. com coaches’ poll and seventh in The Sports Network Top 25 Football Championship Subdivision poll.

The Salukis, who are coming off a 44-10 victory at Southern Utah, are averaging 440 yards of offense and 46 points per game.

UAPB has struggled offensively with 197. 3 yards and 13. 3 points per game.

“We’re happy to have the opportunity to compete against the sixth-ranked team in the country,” UAPB Coach Mo Forte said. “We’re the only team [in the SWAC ] that can say that this week.

“ When I look at the film I know they’re an outstanding football team, but I feel pretty good about this game.”

The nonconference schedule doesn’t get any easier next week. UAPB travels to Las Cruces, N. M., to take on New Mexico State, which is the higher subdivision of Division I.

Bright side

With a break here or there, Arkansas-Pine Bluff easily could be 3-0 rather than 1-2. In the season opener at Mississippi Valley State, the Golden Lions had first-andgoal opportunities twice in the second half but came away empty on both possessions in a 16-9 loss. Last week against Alabama State, the Golden Lions were flagged for defensive holding four plays before the Hornets scored on fourth-and-10 with 41 seconds to play to pull out a 12-10 victory. Defense doing part Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s defense is the primary reason why UAPB has had a chance to win all three of its games.

The Golden Lions lead the Southwestern Athletic Conference in scoring defense (10. 3 points per game ), rush defense (43. 0 yards per game ) and total defense (213. 0 yards per game ). Defensive end Ledarious Anthony has anchored the defense with 28 total tackles, including 8 tackles for losses and 1 a conference-leading 5 / 2 sacks. Anthony’s sack total is more than any Golden Lion had last year. “This will be their biggest test, but the way they’ve been playing, I feel really good about them,” UAPB Coach Mo Forte said. “They just get better each week, and they started out pretty darn good.”

Moore still starter

Junior Johnathan Moore, who started at quarterback for Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week against Alabama State while Chris Wallace was recovering from the flu, will remain the starter against Southern Illinois. Moore completed 8 of 25 passes for 83 yards and was the team’s top rusher with 14 carries for 27 yards. “Chris has been back at practice and has played really well,” Coach Mo Forte said. “He seems to have a lot of energy, so it’s nice to have both quarterbacks.”

Extra points

Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s special teams blocked two extra point attempts and a punt last week against Alabama State.... Southern Illinois has averaged 50. 3 points per game in its past four games in Carbondale, Ill.... The Salukis are ranked nationally in three categories. SIU is third in turnover margin (2. 67 ), fourth in scoring offense (45. 7 points per game ) and sixth in passing efficiency (172. 66 ).