UAPB report
Players finally buy program coach sells
The losses may be mounting for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, but head Coach Cedric Thomas said the team is starting to buy into everything he sold them since the day he took over.
Thomas has long insisted that fixing the problems within the program prior to his hiring wouldn’t happen as fast as many would like, and instead would take time to remedy all the wrongs that existed. After seven games, Thomas said he believes the Golden Lions are finally starting to understand what he’s trying to accomplish.
“We’re creating a culture and laying a foundation,” Thomas said. “It’s a process, and I’m excited about where we are.”
UAPB dropped its fifth game in a row last week when Mississippi Valley State pulled out a comefrom-behind 48-47 victory. The Delta Devils trailed for most of the game and were down 27-13 with less than 12 minutes to go in regulation but clawed back to send the game into overtime. Mississippi Valley State caught a break in the second extra session when UAPB kicker Jamie Gillan missed an extra-point attempt after a Golden Lions’ touchdown. The Delta Devils eventually tied the game on their possession and ultimately won it when kicker Ruben Piraquive connected on his point after.
The loss was not only UAPB’s 12th in its past 13 games overall, but it also ensured the Golden Lions of a losing season for the sixth consecutive year. Still, Thomas explained that UAPB’s belief hasn’t wavered as it heads into today’s game against twotime Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Grambling State.
But Thomas realizes the Golden Lions missed a prime opportunity to snap out of their mid-season funk. UAPB ran 12 more plays, piled up 503 yards of offense, held a nearly nineminute advantage in time of possession and forced two turnovers. Yet, the Delta Devils found a way to beat the Golden Lions for a third consecutive season.
“We know the future is bright, and we’re not talking future as in five or six years down the line,” Thomas said. “We’re right on the cusp of being something special. It’s a process, and I’m just excited about the way these
young men are working and starting to change the narrative about the culture over here at UAPB.”
Killer Ps
UAPB continues to have its share of issues on defense, but the Golden Lions remain one of the top offensive teams in the conference thanks to a pair of first-year players.
Quarterback Skyler Perry and running back Taeyler Porter have become the catalysts for a UAPB offense that ranks third in the SWAC in total offense and fourth in scoring. The duo accounted for 430 yards combined against Mississippi Valley State last Saturday and teamed for 498 yards three weeks ago in a loss to Jackson State.
Perry, who took over when Shannon Patrick went down with a season-ending hand injury prior to Week 3, has completed 45 of 74 passes for 557 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Porter has carried 68 times for 340 yards and 3 touchdowns over that two-game stretch. Porter is on the verge of taking over the league lead in rushing. The junior has rushed for 811 yards this season, which is one yard less than SWAC leader Dawonya Tucker of Prairie View A&M.
Closing the deal
Playing from behind is something UAPB has grown accustomed to this season, but for the second game in a row, the Golden Lions were unable to finish off an opponent after holding a fourth-quarter lead.
Mississippi Valley State trailed by 14 points at the start of the final period and managed to send the game into overtime before ultimately pulling out a victory. In UAPB’s previous game, the Golden Lions led Jackson State late in the fourth until the Tigers rallied late to win 30-27.
“I thought they competed well and maxed themselves out, but we just had a few mishaps here and there down the stretch and weren’t able to finish,” UAPB Coach Cedric Thomas said. “We’ve just got to do a better job of finishing ballgames. A lot of it is just depth, not having the quality numbers you would like to have in order to kind of substitute kids in a manner. But they played their tails off.”
Bullies no more?
Grambling State has won eight SWAC titles since 2000, including the past two, but the Tigers have been extra hard on UAPB during that span.
The Golden Lions have lost 13 of the last 18 meetings between the two and have given up an average of 51 points in their past five encounters, including 70 in a drubbing during the 2016 season. But the Tigers don’t appear to be as dominant as they’ve been in years past and will have to have help if they’re to get to a fourth consecutive conference title game.
“It’s one of those years where we have quite a bit of youth on our offense,” Grambling State Coach Broderick Fobbs said. “Also, we’re doing some things foundationally to put in place so that we can remain consistent year in and year out. What we’ve been so fortunate of having in the past is big-time playmakers, and when you have really big-time players, they can really do some things for you that normally you wouldn’t be able to do.
“So we’re trying to create a situation where if you do have those guys, then it’s great. But if you don’t, you can still maintain a level of success.”