World news – UAPB wants to end the slingshot against Grambling State

If Grambling State starts a football season 2-0 it can be alarming to its fan base. However, a stat in favor of the Tigers has plagued the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

UAPB has lost its last three games against Grambling State by a total of 18 points – 31-26 in 2017, 45-38 in overtime in the year 2018 and 39-33 in 2019. Today the Golden Lions will make their double jump to Louisiana up to trying to beat a team that has won the last six meetings with them. (UAPB last defeated Grambling State 45-42 on November 9, 2013 in Pine Bluff.) « We don’t have to do too much differently, » said senior defender Shawn Steele, who joined Southern University two weeks ago had three UAPB interceptions. « We have to play strong in all four quarters. We have to finish. Really, it is. »

Finishing is a focus for the Lions who avoided gaining a 33-14 lead over Southern, to escape Baton Rouge with a 33:30 win.

The Lions who got off last week will not rely solely on an offense in both yards (411) and in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Points (33) per game comes second, but also on the ability to generate sales. UAPB intercepted Southern three times and found a Jaguar fumble. « I feel like we have the best defenders in the league right now, » said senior linebacker Kolby Watts. « Every time the ball is thrown, I think it should be a threat to the opposing team’s quarterback. »

UAPB, who held Southern up to 3.9 yards per carry, faces a grambling state run- Game that is only produced 3.2 through two games.

« I don’t think we wagered anything else, » said senior linebacker Kolby Watts. « I feel like we want to get closer to every game to stop the run because if you can make a team one-dimensional it’s easier for us as a defense. »

Grambling State has developed a penchant for also to force sales, collect four fumbles and pick up a pass this spring.

« Our defense knows we just have to beat someone 2-0, » said Lions coach Doc Gamble. « I really rely on these guys to get things done. Nowadays, given the high explosive crime, these slow point games don’t seem like they used to be, but still at the end of the day, they have Made it … Once we’ve shown that we can do it once, we expect to do it all the time. « 

The Tigers have won 15 national championships at Black College and 26 conference titles (one vacated in 1975 ), most recently in 2017 under Broderick Fobbs, now in his fifth season as head coach. They had won 16 home games until they lost 33-28 against Deion Sanders ‘Jackson State.

Similar to UAPB’s recent history with Grambling, Fobbs’ Tigers have been extremely short this season Prairie View A&M lost 17:10 last Saturday in Arlington, Texas. Mark Orlando resigned as Grambling State’s offensive coordinator after the game, and Fobbs will share offensive duties with quarterbacks manager Kendrick North.

« You still have to plan, » said Gamble. « They have players. They have very good players. There will be a wrinkle here and there. It’s not like they’re going through a goodbye week where there’s going to be a lot of changes to what they do .  » do offensively, but there will be some. « 

Geremy Hickbottom made 35 of 51 passes for 350 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions for the Tigers this season. He also rushed for a touchdown. His favorite target was Darrell Clark (14 receptions, 166 yards, one Touchdown). CJ Russell and Lyndemian Brooks split stretcher.

Defenseman Kenan Fontenot leads Grambling State with 19 tackles, two pass breakups and forced fumble. Linebackers Lewis Matthews and Bryan Powell will attempt a methodical yet productive Slow running game led by Mattias Clark and Omar Allen Jr.

The Lions’ first home game is scheduled for 7 pm March 27 against Alabama State, and up to 3,000 fans will be at Simmons Bank Arena after one two-month, campus-wide moratorium on participation in home sports events as a precautionary measure against covid-19.

Tickets can only be purchased through uapblion until midnight on Friday before each home game sroar.com/tickets can be bought. Prices are $ 20 for general admission, $ 25 for reserved grandstand seating, $ 30 for reserved bench seating, and $ 40 for backrest seating. UAPB students have free entry with valid student ID.

March 27, Home v Alabama State, 7:00 p.m.; April 3, Mississippi Valley State, 3 p.m.; April 17, Home v Prairie View A&M, 6pm; April 24, Home v Texas Southern, Time TBA

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