CONWAY – Two games into his University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff career, linebacker Mohammed Kelleh has already made an impact.
Kelleh was involved in two of the three takeaways the UAPB defense created in Saturday’s 41-17 loss to Central Arkansas at Estes Stadium.
UAPB (0-2) Coach Alonzo Hampton said the junior from Newark, N.J., is a hard worker.
“He attacks the football, like we say, bite the football,” Hampton said. “So, he’s been making some plays. Danarius Hilliard was our starting (middle linebacker). He hadn’t really been playing, because he been banged up. So, Mohammed stepped in. So, we feel good about our mike linebackers. We just gotta keep working, getting all those guys. Get the right mix of guys.”
UCA (1-1) reached the UAPB 13-yard line on its opening drive and was threatening to score when Kelleh hit quarterback Luther Richesson, popping the football loose. Fellow linebacker Derron Moore recovered it and returned it to the 20-yard line.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
On the Bears’ next possession, Kelleh intercepted a Richesson pass after safety Ja’Marlin Green tipped it into the air. Kelleh ran the ball back to the UCA 2-yard line, setting up running back Jaylen Jennings for a touchdown run that gave UAPB an early 7-0 lead.
Kelleh finished the game as UAPB’s third-leading tackler with seven, including one for loss. He had three tackles in the Golden Lions’ season opener at No. 23 Texas Tech.
He transferred to UAPB over the summer from Monroe College in New York and said UAPB already feels like family to him.
“I came here in the beginning of fall camp and just been working,” Kelleh said. “It just seems like a family. Just been getting better with my family.”
Kelleh didn’t come to UAPB alone. Monroe College also provided UAPB with defensive backs Na’il Johnson and Michael Henderson. Johnson led UAPB’s defense with nine tackles against UCA, while Henderson had four.
Punter excels
Kelleh wasn’t the only UAPB player to stand out on Saturday.
Holy Cross transfer punter Zach Wieder delivered six punts for 262 yards, an average of 43.7 yards per kick. He had two punts go further than 50 yards and downed two inside the 20-yard line.
He pinned the Bears at their own 10-yard line late in the first quarter, then booted one that rolled dead at the 2-yard line late in the third.
Hampton said Wieder is special.
“I don’t know if it’s a better punter in our conference than this young man,” Hampton said. “You watch him kick the ball, he’s got a lot of confidence. We even got him on the hands team. This is an athletic young man. He loves the game of football, and so, we’re excited to have him, man.”
Wieder is a two-sport athlete. Hampton said UAPB baseball Coach Logan Stout brought him to Pine Bluff to play baseball, but Wieder wanted to also play football.
Hampton provides update on Curry
One player who hasn’t had a chance to stand out yet this season is junior running back BJ Curry.
The preseason All-SWAC selection missed the first two games with a leg injury. Hampton provided an update on Curry’s status after the UCA game.
“Hopefully, we’ll get him back in the next week or so,” Hampton said. “If not, Lord’s will, he’ll be back for the Southern Heritage Classic. That’ll give him another week. So, we’re not going to rush him, but he’s doing some more running now, so he’s almost back. I’m excited about that. So now, we can really do some things with our running backs.”
Without Curry, UAPB has averaged 48 rushing yards per game. Redshirt sophomore Za’Marion Webber has led the way with 42 yards against Texas Tech and 53 yards against UCA.
Jennings’ 2-yard touchdown run against UCA has been UAPB’s only rushing touchdown so far. The junior college transfer rushed for 11 yards against Tech and 12 against UCA.
Hampton said Curry has been missed, but he believes Webber and Jennings will still be a big part of the rushing offense.
“We felt coming in that we had three good backs,” Hampton said. “You watch Z out there tonight. He made some good runs. Then you got Jaylen Jennings, but BJ’s a really good football player, too.”