Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (0-3, 0-1 SWAC)vs.
Alcorn State Braves (2-1, 1-0 SWAC)
Kickoff: 6 p.m.
Golden Lion Stadium
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- There's an old saying that goes "We got'em right where we want'em". If that's true, the Alcorn State Braves are in a little trouble. You see, last season, the Golden Lions lost a tough game to Alabama A&M at home, then proceded to stomp their way through the rest of the schedule en route to a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.
Well, here we are again. Last week, the Golden Lions came from 21 points down to take the lead, only to give up a late touchdown after a botched play on special teams and go on to lose to Alabama State 40-39. If history stays the course, the Golden are set to tee off on Alcorn State on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Golden Lions Stadium.
I think everyone understands the situation that we're in," said UAPB head coach Monte Coleman.
"Last year this time, after one SWAC game we were 0-1 with the loss to Alabama A&M, so we're by no means out of the race. There's one team in the SWAC that's won two SWAC games, so we're in the hunt."
By no means are Coleman and his staff panicing. "We're right where we need to be," he said. "The thing we've got to do is start winning football games, and the thing that we're doing is practicing to make sure that we win this game against Alcorn."
Though the mission is clear, it won't be easy. Alcorn State was a much improved team in 2012 and that has continued into this season. The Braves come into Saturday with a 2-1 record and 1-0 in the SWAC. They are coming off of a dramatic 35-28 come-from-behind win last Saturday over Mississippi Valley State.
The Braves lead the league in scoring averaging 35 points per game. Alcorn State is powered by a rugged running game led by tailback Arnold Walker. Walker is ranked sixth in the SWAC in rushing. He has a total of 216 yards, averaging 72 yards per game.
"The thing we're trying to do this week is just slow down and make sure that we take care of our responsibility before we try to help our teammate and I think we'll fair well this week against their running attack," said Coleman.
"We're very young on the defensive line. We've got one starter out of the four, which is Troy Goss. I told them that we have to play a little more aggressive and also take care of our responsibility. A lot of times, we tend to try and help our teammate before we take care of our responsibility and it gets us in trouble."
Alcorn State also has one of the SWAC's most prolific passers in John Gibbs. Gibbs is ranked second in the SWAC in Passing Efficiency. However, the Golden Lions counter with quarterback Ben Anderson, who is ranked third in the SWAC in Passing Yards/Game. Anderson is averaging 190.7 yards per contest. Anderson is also ranked fourth in the SWAC in total offense with 211.7 yards per game.
In addition to Anderson, the UAPB offense got on track against Alabama State after being squeezed in the first two games. There have been some surprises early on, as several young players have stepped into some vacancies left by missing veterans, particularly in the backfield. The duo of freshman tailbacks, Jeremiah Young and Jamie Smith have stepped in and lended balance to the UAPB attack. Smith is averaging 54.7 yards per game, while Young has scored in all three games this season. He has also thrown a touchdown pass.
"That's what good football teams are made of. You're going to lose players throughout the season, and when they go down somebody else has to take the responsibility and say I'm going to step up," said coach Coleman. "We've been very blessed and very fortunate to have good running backs. One running back goes down, we can plug in another one. It couldn't be more evident in this past game or this season."
"With (Justin) Billings not being able to play, (Aaron) LaGrone not being able to play, Jamie Smith stepped in a did a great job. Jeremiah Young has come in and done a great job and that's what we're going to need. We're going to need guys stepping up and if it's not the running backs, then we've got to be able to throw the football."
UAPB wideout Isaiah Ferguson also had a solid game against the Hornets. He finished the game with 115 yards on four catches. "Isaiah Ferguson had a tremendous game last week for us, keeping us in a game that we felt like we should have won," Coleman commented "That's part of recruiting. Young guys have to come in and play on occasions and the ones we've played so far this year have made a great impact for us."
QUICKIE NOTES
The Matchup:
This game has the appearance of two teams heading in different directions, at least on paper. The preseason favorite Golden Lions with games against two strong programs, then faced the preseason Eastern Division favorites Alabama State at home. The result was an 0-3 start. The Golden Lions now face Alcorn State, who just happens to be sitting atop the Eastern Division standings at the moment. The Braves' loss came to Mississippi State. With both teams putting up a lot of points last weekend, fireworks could be in order today.
The Series:
The Golden Lions lead the series 20-13-2. UAPB has won four of the last five meetings. Last season, UAPB used big plays in the second half to defeat Alcorn State. UAPB led 7-6 at halftime. The Golden Lions dominated the second half, outscoring the Brave 17-0.
Players to Watch
UAPB -
(RB) Jamie Smith - 164 yards, 1 TD on 38 carries (54.7 ypg)
(RB) Jeremiah Young - 67 yards, 3 TD on 22 carries (22.3 ypg - Has scored in all 3 games)
(QB) Benjamin Anderson - 49-of-89, 572 yards, 3 TDs, (190.7 ypg)
(WR) Dezmond Beverly - 10 rec, 139 yards (46.3 ypg)
(LB) Jer-ryan Harris - 40 tackles (13 solo), 1 TFL (1 fumble return for TD)
(P) Tyler Strickland - 19 punts, 779 yards (41.0 ypp)
ALCN -
(RB) Arnold Walker - 216 yards, 5 TDs (72 ypg)
(QB) John Gibbs - 44-of-71, 499 yards, 4 TDs (166.3 ypg)
(WR) Tavoris Doss - 8 rec, 114 yards, 1 TD (38 ypg)
(LB) William Thomas - 18 tackles (10 solo), 1 TFL
(LB) Deion Roberson - 14 tackles (7 solo), 5 TFL, 1 FF
(DB) Damon Watkins - 18 tackles (15 solo), 1 BU, 1 PD
Last time out:
UAPB -
The Golden Lions overcame a 21-point deficit, let it slip away down the stretch in a 40-39 loss to Alabama State. Alabama State jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. But after trimming the deficit to 24-13 by halftime, the Golden Lions scored 19 unanswered points to take a 32-24 lead. But, the lead wouldn't hold as a long drive, followed by a short drive set up by a botched punt, gave the Hornets the win. The loss spoiled a dramatic comeback effort for the Lions.
ALCN -
The Braves trailed Mississippi Valley 21-7 at halftime, but stormed back in the second half to get a 35-28 win at home. After tying the game in the fourth quarter. the Braves recovered an onside kick. John Gibbs gave the Braves the lead for good, hitting LaDarrien Davis on a 22-yard touchdown pass, putting the Braves up 28-21. Alcorn scored one more touchdown to put the game away.
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION
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