vs.
Grambling State Tigers (1-9, 1-6 SWAC)
2:30 p.m. - Golden Lions Stadium, Pine Bluff, Ark.
The Matchup:
Saturday's game is truly intriguing. It has been an uphill climb for both teams this season. UAPB entered the season favored to repeat as SWAC Western Division champions, but struggled to get a win. Meanwhile, Grambling was mired in a long nightmare that dated back to last season.
However, the sun broke through for both of the big cats in their last games. The Lions went on the road two weeks ago and whipped Mississippi Valley State before taking a week off to prepare for today's game. Then on Saturday, GSU snapped an 18-game losing streak with a win over MVSU.
Both teams are feeling a lot better about themselves, which should make a very entertaining contest.
Series Record:
This is the 46th meeting between UAPB and Grambling. GSU leads the series 29-14-2.
In the first game way back in 1928, GSU hung an 88-13 beating on then Arkansas AM&N. But, 10 years later, the Lions got revenge, winning three consecutive games in the series and five of the next six. Grambling did most of their damage against UAPB between 1960 and 1994. During that stretch, the Tigers went 12-0-2 in the series. The Lions woke up and took three out of four from 1995 to 1998, but GSU won the next five to reclaim control of the series.
Recently, the series has evened out. Since 2004, GSU has won five and UAPB four. The two teams have split the last four games. In 2009, the Lions won a shootout 49-42. Grambling won the next two games 35-25 and 27-20. Last season, UAPB traveled to Louisiana and came away with a 24-17 win.
Players to Watch
UAPB -
(QB) Benjamin Anderson - 153-of-255, 1,951 yards, 11 TDs, 9 INT (243 ypg); 448 yards rushing, 6 TDs (44 ypg)
(RB) Jeremiah Young - 449 yards, 6 TD on 88 carries (56.1 ypg)
(WR) Dezmond Beverly - 36 rec, 418 yards (52.2 ypg)
(WR) Cody Swain - 24 rec, 407 yards, 3 TDs (50.9 ypg)
(LB) Jer-ryan Harris - 97 tackles (51 solo), 3.0 TFL, 1 QBH (1 fumble return for TD)
(LB) Antonio Jenkins - 66 tackles (42 solo), 5.0 TFL, 2 Breakups, 1 Forced Fumble
GSU -
(QB) D.J. Williams - 114-of-249, 1,410 yards, 11 TDs, 8 INT (176.2 ypg)
(RB) Jestin Kelly - 505 yards, 2 TD on 103 carries (63.1 ypg)
(RB) Cedric Skinner - 317 yards on 68 carries (45.3 ypg)
(WR) Chester Rogers - 41 rec, 600 yards, 5 TDs (75 ypg)
(WR) Amthony McGhee - 33 rec, 388 yards, 4 TDs (48.5 ypg)
(LB) Steve Orisakwe - 80 tackles (45 solo), 10 TFL, 1.5 Sacks, 2 BU, 1 QBH, 2 Fumble Rec.
(DB) Nicholas Peoples - 60 tackles (38 solo), 3 INT, 2 Sacks, 3 BU
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION
No comments:
Post a Comment