Numbers up, along with Golden Lions’ hopes
There were about a dozen ingredients missing from the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions’ recipe for success last season, and at least three of them were key.
Twelve players missed at least one game because of NCAA certification concerns. Defensive ends Damien Lee and Demarcus Berry and running back Aaron Legrone — all expected starters — were lost for the season.
A large group of freshmen filled in, and UAPB lost its first seven games en route to a 2-9 record. One season removed for its Southwestern Athletic Conference championship, UAPB dropped to 2-7 in conference play.
“We had a lot to overcome last year,” Coach Monte Coleman said. “We played a lot of guys who were freshmen that were new to the program. Those guys came in and did a great job for us, but unfortunately we didn’t finish a lot of the games.
“The thing is, they played through that and this year they’ll give us that added depth we didn’t have last year. We should be a better football team because of the experience some of the young guys were forced into last year and because of the players we have back.”
Berry and Lagrone are back on UAPB’s active roster and expected to start when the Golden Lions open the 2014 season Aug. 30 at Texas State.
UAPB lost five games by nine or fewer points and lost consecutive homes games in September by a total of six points to Alabama State and Alcorn State, all while shorthanded.
Senior quarterback Ben Anderson, the conference’s preseason offensive player of the year for a second consecutive season, said the added personnel combined with experience gained through difficult losses last season has given him and his teammates confidence.
“We lost so many games by one point, three points, eight points,” Anderson said. “We were in those games, and that lets us know that we had a good team. We were just missing a little discipline or a little focus here and there, but the team this year, we understand the talent we have and we’re just working to fulfill our potential.”
“We’re confident. We have the majority of our people back. They’re anxious to play, and I’m anxious to play, to get out there for my last season. We have a lot of hope and a lot of dreams.”
Anderson, 6-3, 200, was named firstteam All-SWAC in 2011 and 2012 and was the SWAC freshman of the year in 2011. Last season he passed for 2,787 yards with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and rushed for 824 yards and 9 touchdowns. He led the SWAC in total offense.
“If the other team doesn’t account for him, he can win a football game for you,” Coleman said. “I’ve watched Ben grow from a freshman until now, and each year he’s added a little bit more to his repertoire.”
“He’s the complete quarterback. He’s very, very smart. He throws the ball well, runs the ball well and gives us everything we need.”
UAPB’s defense dropped from second overall in the SWAC in 2012 to last in 2013. Coleman, a Pine Bluff native who played 16 seasons as a linebacker for the NFL’s Washington Redskins, is a defensive coach first and said he fully expects an improved defense this season.
Berry’s return will help, as well as the addition of junior-college defensive lineman Jarell Wright and linebacker Jentrel Woodward. Junior linebacker Antonio Jenkins will start his third season at UAPB. He was named first-team, preseason All-SWAC this summer.
“We grew up together as a team last spring and this summer,” Jenkins said. “Our defense is coming together, and we’re finding out what we can do. We’re finding our strengths.”