Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Alabama A&M

WHEN 1 p.m. Central WHERE Louis Crews Stadium, Huntsville, Ala. RECORDS Arkansas-Pine Bluff 1-2, 0-1 SWAC; Alabama A&M

0-2, 0-1

COACHES Monte Coleman (17-45 in eighth season at UAPB and overall); James Spady (4-10 in second season at Alabama A&M and overall) RADIO KUAP-FM, 89.7, in Pine Bluff INTERNET uapblionsroar.com

WHEN UAPB HAS THE BALL It appears Coach Monte Coleman has settled on Marcus Terrell as his starting quarterback. Terrell has started all three games, but after Nolan Sorensen took snaps in the first two games Terrell took every snap in last week’s 24-20 home loss to Texas Southern. The junior completed 18 of 32 passes for 189 yards and 2 interceptions and rushed for 50 yards in the loss. The Golden Lions’ running game remains a work in progress. Brian Handley rushed for 53 yards on 12 carries against Texas Southern, and UAPB was held to 3.7 yards per rush. The Golden Lions are sixth in the SWAC in rushing (141.7 yards per game) and their 3.5 yards per rush ranks seventh. UAPB could be in for some relief today, as Alabama A&M has struggled to slow the offenses of FBS member Cincinnati and SWAC opponent Prairie View A&M, which gained 522 yards including 349 yard passing.

WHEN ALABAMA A&M HAS THE BALL UAPB’s defense gave up 17 points in the deciding third quarter of last week’s loss to Texas Southern, but it can’t all be pegged on a unit that has shown much improvement from last season. Texas Southern blocked a punt and recovered on UAPB’s 1 that led to a touchdown and an interception set up another short field. The Golden Lions held the Tigers to 312 yards of offense and rank second in the SWAC in scoring defense (28.7 points per game) and against the run (136.0 yards per game), third in total defense (322.0 yards per game) and fourth against the pass (196.0). UAPB also had four sacks and an interception.

WHAT’S AT STAKE It isn’t a game against a division opponent, but UAPB would like to avoid a second SWAC loss considering Prairie View A&M and Southern have started the season with two league victories. Another loss would be UAPB’s third consecutive 0-2 start in the SWAC.