UAPB Golden Lions Wrap- Up Spring Practice with Black and Gold Game

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas  --  On Saturday, with the campus still buzzing from Terron Armstead's draft announcement, head coach Monte Coleman and his coaching staff closed out their 2013 spring drills with the annual Black and Gold game at Golden Lions Stadium.

With the marching Musical Machine of the Mid- South, M-4, and a host of Golden Lions fans in the stands, two squads comprised of current Golden Lions players took the field in a 80-plus play scrimmage. Red shirt junior quarterback Ben Anderson, who led the Golden Lions to the 2012 SWAC championship was the signal caller for the gold squad; while freshman Brandon Duncan was responsible for the black squad.

The Black Squad got on the score board first, as Duncan hit Joel Porchia on 25-yard fade pattern to the back pylon of the end zone to give the black squad the early lead. Sophomore kicker Tyler Strickland, who kicked the game winning field in the SWAC championship game, tacked on the PAT to make the score read 7-0.

After the black team caused a fumble, Strickland would knock down a field goal to push the black team's point to 10. The gold team offense moved to ball between the thirties but couldn't quite finish drives early in the game to match the productivity that black team offense was able to produce. With the ball back in tow and Duncan under center, the black team offense would reach pay dirt once again as Michael Wilson crossed the goal line from five yards out for a 17-0 lead.

Both squads would go into the intermission looking to regroup and pick up right where they left off. Coleman and his staff wanted to simulate real game time situations; so they played four 12-minute quarters with game officials.

Anderson seemed to be the Anderson of old, as he rambled off long scampers to move his gold squad down the field and put them in scoring position. Mid-way through the third quarter that's just what he did. On a delayed quarterback draw, Anderson scrambled up the middle form about ten yards out to give the gold team new life, with first score of the afternoon. Strickland handled all kicking duties and added the PAT for a 17-7 score.

After a black team interception, Anderson once again led the gold team on a comeback. This time he marched the team down the field to set up a first and ten situation from the 11 yard line. The gold team offense then took three shots at the end zone, before Strickland would be called upon for a field goal attempt, which was successful closing the black team's margin to seven.

The gold team defense held the black team offense to three and out, forcing a turnover on downs, but time would expire on the gold team's efforts. Anderson, with time running out took a shot at the back of the end zone only to have his receiver come down out of bounds as the clock read zero; giving the game its final, 17-10.

“I was pleased with enthusiasm of our players today. We saw some things we liked and some areas where we want to improve”, said Coleman. “We structured our camp to be a little tougher than normal because we wanted to push our kids. We don't want to be a one hit wonder. We are looking to defend our title and win many more.”



COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION