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UAPB NOTES

   
McKissic: No regrets over leaving Oklahoma
    Arkansas-Pine Bluff senior tailback Dwight McKissic could be wearing a Division I-A national championship ring right now.
    He played two seasons for Oklahoma before transferring to UAPB last season. The Sooners went on to finish the 2000 season undefeated and were the undisputed national champions.
    "I'm happy for them that they won," McKissic said. "But when I was there, I was on the bench and didn't have much of a chance to play. Here, I have an opportunity to do something better than to earn a ring.
    "Hopefully, I can one day earn a living playing this game. If not, I'm getting a good education.
    "I think I'm better off with the decision I made."
    McKissic's decision has been a boon for UAPB. He led the team in rushing last year with 1,248 yards on 186 carries for a 6.7-yard average. He also scored 13 touchdowns.
   
UAPB would love to have option to fly
    While many Americans are apprehensive about airline travel in the wake of the terrorist acts on Sept. 11, Arkansas-Pine Bluff's football squad would love to have the option of flying.
    Because of a limited athletic budget, the Golden Lions bus to all their games. For Saturday's game against Kentucky State, the team left early Thursday morning.
    They practiced in Osceola on Thursday afternoon, reboarded and arrived in St. Louis at around 7 p.m.
    "I wish we had the choice to fly," Coach Lee Hardman said. "The bus ride up there isn't too bad. It's coming home that seems to take so long."
   
Golden Lions in awe of Rams' TWA Dome
    One of the highlights of the season for Arkansas-Pine Bluff players is to play at the TWA Dome, home of the St. Louis Rams. The Golden Lions take on Division II Kentucky State there in the Gateway Classic at 4 p.m. Saturday.
    "Their eyes just bulge when they walk in and see that dome," Coach Lee Hardman said. "They are absolutely amazed when they see how beautiful and spacious it is."
    Hardman said adjusting to turf shouldn't be a problem.
    "It's not that hard, really," Hardman said. "The kids are looking forward to it. They don't want to play on it every week, but they see this as a special occasion."
   
UAPB ready to play after three-week layoff
    When it takes the field Saturday, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-1) will have been off for three weeks. The Golden Lions' last game was Sept. 8 at Southern, where they lost 35-14.
    "You normally don't have this much time off once the season starts, so it's been different," Coach Lee Hardman said. "We've gone back to the basics, and have emphasized technique work.
    "We've worked on our blocking and I think the offensive line is coming off the ball better. Overall, the intensity has been much better. Everybody is just anxious to get back on the field again."
   
   

This article was published on September 28, 2001

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