By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff
UAPB is 1-5 going into Thursday night's A&M game
This time last year, Arkansas-Pine Bluff was in the midst of one of the biggest turnarounds in school history.
The Golden Lions opened the season losing three of their first four games, but beat Tuskegee in the Gateway Classic that started a string of seven straight victories that carried them to the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division title and a berth in the championship game.
Alabama A&M downed UAPB 22-13 in the title game. With a number of their top players returning, the Golden Lions were picked to repeat as West Division champions during the league's annual media day.
But UAPB hasn't lived up to the hype.
The Golden Lions are 1-5 overall and 1-3 in league play heading in Thursday night's game at Alabama A&M. Kickoff is 6:30 and the game will be televised live on ESPNU.
"This is one of the strangest seasons I've ever been in," UAPB coach Mo Forte said earlier this week. "We're 1-5 and five of those games have been on the road. This is the second Thursday night game we've had and both of them have been on the road and you only have two days to prepare.
"But, we're not going to complain. It's football and we're going to play the hand that we've been dealt."
Few expected the Golden Lions to be out of the West Division race this early.
Quarterback Chris Wallace, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, was benched after two games. Running back Martel Mallett, who had almost 1,300 yards rushing and led the league with 15 touchdowns a year ago, has just 240 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Jason Jones has been productive with 28 catches for 435 yards and two touchdowns, but even his numbers are down compared to last season.
The biggest problem, Forte said, has been UAPB's disappointing play along the offensive line. The Golden Lions have allowed 28 sacks through six games.
"We've struggled there," he said. "We've had a tough time with them. They've gotten better every week, but it hasn't been good enough to put a 'W' on the board."
UAPB suffered yet another tough loss Saturday as Grambling outlasted the Golden Lions 30-24 in Little Rock. It was UAPB's fourth loss by seven points or less this season.
"We've lost games by 2, 3, 6 and 7 points and all have been with under a minute left in the game," Forte said.
UAPB hurt itself with five turnovers and had more than 100 yards in penalties.
"You can't do that against a quality football team like Grambling and expect to beat them," Forte said.
About the visit to A&M, Forte said: "Our kids don't quit. We're going to play hard."
UAPB is 1-5 going into Thursday night's A&M game
This time last year, Arkansas-Pine Bluff was in the midst of one of the biggest turnarounds in school history.
The Golden Lions opened the season losing three of their first four games, but beat Tuskegee in the Gateway Classic that started a string of seven straight victories that carried them to the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division title and a berth in the championship game.
Alabama A&M downed UAPB 22-13 in the title game. With a number of their top players returning, the Golden Lions were picked to repeat as West Division champions during the league's annual media day.
But UAPB hasn't lived up to the hype.
The Golden Lions are 1-5 overall and 1-3 in league play heading in Thursday night's game at Alabama A&M. Kickoff is 6:30 and the game will be televised live on ESPNU.
"This is one of the strangest seasons I've ever been in," UAPB coach Mo Forte said earlier this week. "We're 1-5 and five of those games have been on the road. This is the second Thursday night game we've had and both of them have been on the road and you only have two days to prepare.
"But, we're not going to complain. It's football and we're going to play the hand that we've been dealt."
Few expected the Golden Lions to be out of the West Division race this early.
Quarterback Chris Wallace, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, was benched after two games. Running back Martel Mallett, who had almost 1,300 yards rushing and led the league with 15 touchdowns a year ago, has just 240 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Jason Jones has been productive with 28 catches for 435 yards and two touchdowns, but even his numbers are down compared to last season.
The biggest problem, Forte said, has been UAPB's disappointing play along the offensive line. The Golden Lions have allowed 28 sacks through six games.
"We've struggled there," he said. "We've had a tough time with them. They've gotten better every week, but it hasn't been good enough to put a 'W' on the board."
UAPB suffered yet another tough loss Saturday as Grambling outlasted the Golden Lions 30-24 in Little Rock. It was UAPB's fourth loss by seven points or less this season.
"We've lost games by 2, 3, 6 and 7 points and all have been with under a minute left in the game," Forte said.
UAPB hurt itself with five turnovers and had more than 100 yards in penalties.
"You can't do that against a quality football team like Grambling and expect to beat them," Forte said.
About the visit to A&M, Forte said: "Our kids don't quit. We're going to play hard."
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