Golden Lions Hope to Finish 2013 With Road Win at PVAMU

COURTESY UAPB ATHLETICS

Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (2-8, 2-6 SWAC)  vs.
Prairie View A&M Panthers (5-6, 4-4 SWAC) 
1 p.m. - Magnolia Stadium
Prairie View, Texas

The Matchup:
As the chilly fall breezes sweep in to usher out the summer, so does Saturday's game write a conclusion to the 2013 football season for UAPB and Prairie View. For both teams, the goal of landing a spot in the SWAC Championship game are put back on the shelf until next season, but there is still something to play for in this finale...Pride!

The scoreboard operater might want to get a good night's sleep and grab some Wheaties in the morning, because they will be busy. Both offenses have been lighting it up this season, despite their under-.500 records. PVAM is averaging 38.6 points per game and has posted 50-plus points in three seperate games, while UAPB is putting up 28.7 points per contest and has four games in which they have scored at least 40 points.

The problem for both teams has been on the other side of the ball, which could make the final score look more like a basketball game than football. PVAM has surrendered nearly as many points (408) as they have scored (425). Opponents are tagging the Panthers for 37.1 points per game and they given up at least 50 points twice and 60 two more times, including last week's 65-45 loss to Abilene Christian. Meanwhile, UAPB has had 403 points (40 ppg) hung on them. One opponent dropped 60 on the Golden Lions and two had at least 50, including last weekend's 50-42 loss to Alabama A&M.
So buckle your seatbelts folks and pack your inhalers. This game has all the makings of a wild, wild, wild, west shootout. It could an entertaining ballgame for the fans, but an exhausting nightmare for the coaches for both teams.

Series Record:
This will be the 73rd meeting between UAPB and PVAM. The Panthers lead the series 44-24-4 in the rivalry that began back in 1931. PVAM beat UAPB 26-6 in College Station, Texas in the first meeting. PVAM won or tied 35 of the first 36 games between the two teams. The Panthers were 32-1-3 against UAPB from the inception of the series all the way up to 1966. However, since that domination for PVAM, UAPB has turned the tide winning 23 of the last 36 games. The longest winning streak in the series for UAPB was seven games between 1989 and 2000. UAPB has won the last two games, including last seasons 42-41 barn burner at Golden Lions Stadium.

Players to Watch

UAPB - 
(QB)
Benjamin Anderson - 193-of-319, 2,561 yards, 18 TDs, 11 INT (256.1 ypg); 768 yards rushing, 9 TDs (76.8 ypg) - Ranked 1st in Total Yards, 2nd in the sWAC in passing, 3rd in passing efficiency, 6th in rushing, 8th in scoring
(RB)
Jamie Smith - 370 yards, 1 TD on 85 carries (41.1 ypg)
(WR)
Dezmond Beverly - 50 rec, 677 yards (67.7 ypg), Ranked 3rd in the SWAC in Receptions, 6th in Receiving yards
(WR)
Cody Swain - 28 rec, 458 yards, 4 TDs (45.8 ypg)
DEFENSE
Xavier Lofton - 87 tackles (42 solo), 7.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 QBH (1 fumble return for TD); 6th in the SWAC in Tackles

PVAM -
(QB)
Jerry Lovelocke - 267-of-404, 2.704 yards, 22 TDs, 7 INT (245.8 ypg); 212 yards rushing, 6 TDs (19.3 ypg) - 3rd in the SWAC in Passing, 4th in Passing Efficiency, 2nd in Total Offense
(RB)
Courtney Brown - 951 yards, 9 TDs on 166 carries; 49 rec, 489 yards, 4 TDs - 4th in SWAC in rushing, 3rd in Scoring, 3rd in All-Purpose Yards
(RB)
Johnta Hebert - 657 yards, 5 TDs on 121 carries, 1st in All-Purpose Yards
(WR)
Deandre Cooper - 79 rec, 1042 yards (94.7 ypg), 12 TDs, Ranked 1st in the SWAC in Receptions, 2nd in Receiving Yards, 6th in Scoring, 10th in All-Purpose Yards
(WR)
Jacoby Anderson - 44 rec, 533 yards (48.5 ypg), 2 TDs

DEFENSE
Rahim Cardwell - 98 tackles (53 solo), 7 TFL, 1.5 sack, 1 INT, 1 FR, 1 FF, 4th in SWAC in Tackles
Jerome Howard - 76 tackles (37 solo), 17 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 4 PBU, 2 QBH, 1 FR, 2 FF; 10th in the SWAC in Tackles.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION