Saturday’s game will be the best opportunity so far to learn about this year’s University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football team.
UAPB will travel to Memphis to play Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium at 6 p.m. on HBCUGO.
The first two weeks saw UAPB (1-1) on both ends of lopsided results where one team was greatly overmatched by the other. The Golden Lions couldn’t keep up with the SEC’s Arkansas in Week 1 but dominated Arkansas Baptist of the NAIA in Week 2.
Tennessee State (1-1), a fellow Football Championship Subdivision program, will be the first peer opponent the Golden Lions have faced.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UAPB coach Alonzo Hampton said his players can show what they are capable of if they are focused entering the game.
“Everybody gets a chance to say, ‘OK. They played Baptist. They played Arkansas. What kind of football team do you have, Coach?'” Hampton said. “Well, guess what? We’re going to see on Saturday. We get an opportunity to go out there and play a really good football team, and I think the Golden Lions will be ready, but it starts in practice (Tuesday).”
It will be nothing but FCS opponents the rest of the way for the Golden Lions. After this game, UAPB will return home to host No. 7 Central Arkansas before the bye week, which will be followed by SWAC play.
Tennessee State is already 1-0 against the SWAC this season after beating Mississippi Valley State 41-21 in Week 1, though the Tigers are coming off a 52-3 road loss at No. 2 North Dakota State.
Hampton said he doesn’t care at what level UAPB’s opponents play. The Golden Lions are confident they can compete.
“We’re a good football team,” Hampton said. “All our kids need to do is come out and play. We played these guys last year, had an opportunity to win the game. We didn’t get it done, so it didn’t matter that we’re playing Arkansas Baptist or played the University of Arkansas. We’ve done a lot of good things offensively, defensively and special teams in all the games we’ve played thus far.”
This will be UAPB’s second appearance in the Southern Heritage Classic, filling a spot traditionally held by Jackson State.
Last season, TSU won 24-14 after blocking UAPB’s would-be game-tying field goal and running it back for a late touchdown. UAPB trailed 17-0 entering the fourth quarter but scored two touchdowns to have a chance at the end.
Hampton said having played the Tigers last season makes it easier to prepare for them this year, because they still have last year’s game film.
“They still got some of the same players, so it’s not like it’ll be new to us,” Hampton said. “I think they got a new coordinator (Travis Partridge), but obviously, they do a lot of the same stuff we do on offense. They’re a spread team. At times, they’ll give you 12 personnel. They’ll run the football, and they’ll use the quarterback.
“So, it’s typical of SWAC football. They’re just in another conference.”