The next team set to visit Simmons Bank Field faces uncertainty at quarterback, but University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Coach Alonzo Hampton said he is more worried about another part of the opposing offense.
“I don’t mean no slight; I’m not worried about the quarterback,” Hampton said. “I’m worried about who the quarterback handing the ball to, and then, once we’ve been able to stop the run, then they’ll have to pass it. Then we’ll worry about that. Plan A is to stop the run.”
The Golden Lions will host Grambling State at 2 p.m. Saturday on SWAC TV as they return to conference play after last weekend’s homecoming victory.
UAPB (3-3, 1-1 SWAC) has allowed a SWAC-worst 311 rushing yards per game in its two conference games thus far but has ranked sixth in pass defense, holding Alcorn State and Texas Southern to 207 passing yards per game.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Grambling (3-3, 0-2) is averaging 167.7 rushing yards per game, led by graduate running back Tre Bradford’s 60.3 yards per game and one touchdown. Redshirt freshman Byron Eaton Jr. has scored three rushing touchdowns, tied with starting quarterback C’Zavian Teasett for the team lead.
Teasett’s status for this game remains murky. The redshirt sophomore, a Southern University transfer, did not start the Tigers’ homecoming game against Texas Southern last week, a 21-20 TSU win. He was seen with a walking boot on his left foot before the game.
Backup Ashton Frye started the game but left with an apparent shoulder injury after recovering a fumbled snap early in the third quarter. True freshman Amyne Darensburg took over for the remainder of that possession and the next two, which resulted in two punts and an interception.
With 11:52 remaining, Teasett, having traded the walking boot for cleats and pads, entered the game. He completed 4 of 4 passes for 62 yards as he led GSU to the 4-yard line before running back Clyde McClendon Jr. fumbled, ending the Tigers’ comeback hopes.
Grambling Coach Mickey Joseph said Teasett was injured in the third quarter of the previous game against Prairie View A&M. Teasett fought through it to finish that game, but Joseph said he had enough confidence in Frye to have Teasett sit out the TSU game. Frye’s injury and Darensburg’s play necessitated Teasett entering the game.
Joseph said Monday that he is considering Teasett day-to-day in the leadup to Saturday’s game in Pine Bluff.
“The plan is Darensburg is gonna take some reps this week,” Joseph said. “We also gonna look at Teasett again today. He came in this morning, so we’re gonna look at him again today and see how much he can do. If he can go, we’ll get a game plan around him. … We’ll have a backup plan with Darensburg to get him going, also.”
Teasett has completed 81 of 140 passes for seven touchdowns and four interceptions this season. Darensburg’s interception against TSU is the only pass he has attempted as a college player.
Grambling, to Hampton’s point, is a run-first team. The Tigers have run the ball 208 times this season while attempting 167 passes. GSU averages 172.8 passing yards per game, which ranks ninth in the SWAC.
The Tigers ran for 215 yards and two touchdowns last week and 142 yards with three touchdowns in their win against East Texas A&M.
Hampton said Grambling is a good team no matter who plays quarterback.
“It’s the SWAC,” Hampton said. “Every coach (has) multiple quarterbacks that can play. This is why you’re in the SWAC. It’s some really athletic guys. They can run. They can throw the ball. … If coach (Joseph) had to get out there himself and hand the ball off, they’re gonna run the ball. They’ll throw the ball if necessary. Our objective is going to always be the same, to stop the run.”
Seven Tigers have combined for 11 rushing touchdowns this season.