UAPB wants momentum to ride
BECK CROSSARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Before the season began, Arkansas-Pine Bluff's nonconference matchup against Division II Kentucky State might have been the last game considered "make or break" for the Golden Lions.
But after two subpar performances and three weeks off, UAPB (1-1) must display vast improvements on both sides of the ball to re-establish itself as a contender for the Southwestern Athletic Conference title.
The Gateway Classic kicks off at 4 p.m. today at the TWA Dome in St. Louis.
"This is a big game for us in terms of establishing momentum and confidence for the rest of the season," UAPB Coach Lee Hardman said. "It's been a different situation for us because we've never had this much time off after the start of a season.
"We treated it like preseason camp and went back to the basics. I hope we're going to show some improvement because we desperately need a win."
Slow starts plagued UAPB in its first two games. The Golden Lions were forced to score 16 unanswered points in the second half to hold off Mississippi Valley State 19-9 in the opener at Golden Lion Stadium.
On the road against Southern, UAPB allowed 21 points in the first 9:14 before losing 35-14.
"Starting off so slow in both games is something I can't understand," Hardman said. "We just weren't ready to play. That's another thing that we've been really working on in the last weeks.
"We'll emphasize the first quarter by picking up the tempo. We're going to a no-huddle offense."
The Golden Lions also need a breakthrough performance from junior quarterback LaKendrick Powell, a junior college transfer who won the starting job in the preseason.
Powell has completed 23 of 54 passes for 159 yards with 2 touchdowns, but has been shaky at times.
"LaKendrick has shown a lot of improvement in the last few weeks," Hardman said. "He is beginning to feel more comfortable with the system and we have a lot of confidence in him."
The Thoroughbreds are 0-2, but shouldn't be taken lightly. Last year at the grand opening of Golden Lion Stadium, Kentucky State pulled out a 34-30 victory with a touchdown in the final 21 seconds.
Running back Alvon Brown blistered the Lions with three touchdowns and 193 yards rushing.
"He's a big-time running back who is already averaging 150 yards per game," Hardman said. "He is a big kid who is powerful and quick. It's going to be a big job for us to stop him.
"We have to make them throw the ball."
Despite what happened last year, Hardman said revenge wouldn't be a factor.
"This game is about making strides with our football team," Hardman said.
ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF VS. KENTUCKY STATE
WHEN 4 p.m. today
WHERE TWA Dome, St. Louis
RECORDS UAPB 1-1; Kentucky State 0-2
LAST MEETING Kentucky State won 34-30 last year in Pine Bluff
COACHES Lee Hardman (54-36 in ninth season at UAPB); Donald Smith (0-2 in first season at Kentucky State)
RADIO KZYP-FM, 99.3, in Pine Bluff; KCLT-FM, 105, in Helena; KMGC-FM, 104, in Camden.
This article was published on September 29, 2001
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