An offense that rarely gives the ball away will face one of the SWAC’s greediest defenses in Pine Bluff on Saturday.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will host Florida A&M for senior day at Simmons Bank Field at 2 p.m. on HBCU GO.
UAPB (4-5, 2-3 SWAC) is tied with Alabama State for the most interceptions on defense in the conference. Both have intercepted 10 passes, though UAPB’s 168 return yards and a touchdown far outpace ASU’s 54 return yards.
The Golden Lions’ four interceptions against non-NCAA foe Westgate Christian inflate the numbers, but UAPB also intercepted a pass in six of its other eight games. Seven of UAPB’s 10 interceptions led to touchdowns, including Kristian Gammage’s touchdown return against WCU.
True freshman Zay Stribling’s interception last week against Southern set up UAPB for the go-ahead touchdown in the second quarter. It was his second of the season, which leads the team. Eight other Golden Lions have one interception apiece.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Florida A&M (3-5, 2-2) coach James Colzie said UAPB’s defensive is opportunistic.
“The biggest thing for them is they finish plays,” Colzie said. “That ball’s in the air, and you make a mistake, man, they’re diving and making an interception. Got a couple of tipped balls where guys are going to get interceptions as well.”
The defense’s aptitude for interceptions will meet a new test this week. FAMU redshirt sophomore quarterback RJ Johnson III is the only starting quarterback in the SWAC who hasn’t thrown an interception this season.
Johnson has completed 63.6% of his passes for 1,552 yards and nine touchdowns.
He is third in the SWAC in passing yards per game and is tied with UAPB starter Christian Peters for the sixth-most passing touchdowns. Johnson has played in every game except FAMU’s 45-7 loss to North Carolina Central in which his backup threw three interceptions.
His best game was the win against Alcorn State in which he threw for 323 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 33 yards and a score.
He threw two touchdown passes last week against Jackson State, though the Tigers held him to a season-low 132 yards.
Colzie said while Johnson hasn’t turned the ball over, the Rattlers may need him to start taking more chances if they are to win games.
“We got some athletic guys on the outside that maybe we may want to take a chance and see if our guys can make some plays as well,” Colzie said. “He has done a good job. I know he doesn’t have any interceptions at this time, but I think the biggest thing for us is just continuing to improve what we’re doing weekly with him.”
The Rattlers’ quarterback isn’t the only player who protects the football. As a team, FAMU hadn’t lost a fumble all season until redshirt junior Kenari Wilcher fumbled during a kickoff return early in the second half last week against Jackson State.
UAPB has recovered five fumbles by opposing teams this season, which is tied for fifth in the SWAC.
FAMU’s offense features eight receivers with at least 120 yards this season and six with a touchdown catch. Senior running back Thad Franklin Jr. leads the team in rushing with 432 yards and four touchdowns, followed by Jamal Hailey with 254 rushing yards and three scores. Johnson has rushed for two touchdowns.
UAPB coach Alonzo Hampton said the Rattlers are an athletic team.
“(They have a) big O-line,” Hampton said. “Love the quarterback. He’s smart, don’t make a lot of mistakes. They got some receivers. They can do some things with the ball in their hand. Got a couple of good tailbacks. It’s a really good football team. You look at the record, you don’t really see how that translates.”
The Rattlers rank fourth in the SWAC in passing offense, while UAPB ranks sixth in passing defense.