PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- With the season opener in the rearview mirror, the Arkansas-Pine Bluff football team is hoping to rebound in their next game on Saturday on the road against McNeese State (Sports Network poll at No. 18 and the FCS Coaches poll at No. 20) in Lake Charles, La. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Cowboy Stadium.
The Golden Lions played Saturday without a handful of starters, but Coach Monte Coleman said that wasn't the reason for the loss. "We didn't execute like we should have," he said. "The thing we have to do is go back and rebuild. The thing we have to do is go back and play hard and practice hard getting for McNeese State."
The good news is that some if not all of the missing players from Saturday are expected to be in the lineup against McNeese. In addition, several young players got a chance to get on the field against Arkansas State. They gave the coaching staff some pleasant surprises.
"We actually had some guys that actually played well. It didn't look like it, but we actually had some guys that played well," Coleman pointed out Saturday. "There were several guys that normally wouldn't have played a certain position played and played well."
Julian Morgan, a 6'2, 200 lb true freshmen, was one of those young players who was placed into lineup as a utility player and did a good job. "Julian Morgan stepped up & played big for us," said Coleman. "He was our long snapper for punt and special teams. Though undersized, Morgan also saw action at defense end and held his own. He forced a fumble and had four tackles.
Another positive from Saturday's game is the fact that the Lions came out healthy overall. "One thing to point out is that we had major injuries, so that's a plus," Coleman pointed out.
On Labor Day, the Golden Lions went back to work preparing for a very good McNeese State team, fresh off a season-opening 53-21 win over South Florida on Saturday.
"Practice was pretty good today," said Coleman. "My focus is the staff gathering the players together making sure the players are physically & mentally ready."
With some of the younger guys with one game under their belt, this opportunity gives them a chance to step up and play to see the speed of the game."
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION
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