Golden Lions' Offense Still Struggling With Consistency


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Blacknbengal

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GOLDEN LIONS' OFFENSE STILL STRUGGLING WITH CONSISTENCY

By Nate Olson

After the final scrimmage of the preseason Wednesday night, Arkansas-Pine Bluff Coach Lee Hardman said his offense's biggest problem is consistency.

"Offensively, we just aren't getting it done on a consistent basis," Hardman said. "We have got to get more consistent. Defensively, they're bringing it to us right now. We have to get more consistent, but we have to have the defense bringing it to us. That is the only way we will know if we are getting better or not."

The Golden Lions have two more days of two-a-day practices to work out the kinks, as well as a full week next week before opening the season at Alcorn State in Lorman, Miss.

"We just have to get the mindset and get some reps," Hardman said. "That's what we need to do.

"If we continue to do that, I think we have a chance to be pretty good this year. We have to be a little more consistent than what we are doing."

There have been plenty of flashes of brilliance by the offense in practice, but Hardman said mistakes are still plaguing his inexperienced squad that is learning the new one-back offensive set.

"You get two or three bad plays, then four or five good plays," Hardman said. "We have to be more consistent than that."

The Golden Lions continued to work with the offense running plays against the defense during the morning and evening practices Thursday.

Former star visits practice

Cleo Miller, a 1974 graduate of UAPB and a Merrill High School alum, visited practice Thursday evening.

Miller, who was the only player to play high school and college football in Pine Bluff and then advance to the NFL, was teammates with Hardman and went on to play running back in the NFL.

Miller, who was in Pine Bluff for his brother, Edward Racks', funeral, is a consultant with a liquor distributor in Cleveland, Ohio and is also the president of the NFL Alumni Cleveland Chapter.

Hardman gave Miller an opportunity to address the team following practice.

"I just talked about getting an education and doing things the right way," Miller said. "It starts here. I had a lot of great years on this football field, too.

"Basically, what I was telling them was if they don't get an education in four or five years, the time they are here, then the university has the best of them as opposed to them using the university."

As a part of the charity work that he does with the NFL Alumni group, Miller speaks to area high school students about being successful in life.

TV show changes networks, times

The Lee Hardman Show has a new network and time slot for the 2002 season.

The show, which was seen last year on UPN at 11 p.m. on Sundays, will now be shown on PAX 22/49 on Saturdays at 1 p.m.

The first installment of the program is slated for next Saturday.

Hardman said since the shows will run on game day, they will serve as a preview for that day's game.

"It's not a pre-game show, but there will be a lot of pre-game leading up to the game," Hardman said. "We will be talking a little about the team we are getting ready to play, and we will be getting the fans ready for the team we are getting ready to play on that particular night."

The show will continue to run for 30 minutes.
 
LACK OF FOCUS HURTS UAPB IN LOSS TO ALCORN ST.

LACK OF FOCUS HURTS UAPB IN LOSS TO ALCORN ST.

SPORTS COLUMN

BY NATE OLSON / OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Just what does it take to motivate the Arkansas-Pine Bluff football team?

Obviously, it wasn't taking a 17-10 halftime lead on one of the Southwestern Athletic Conference's most explosive teams.

UAPB promptly gave up 24 straight points in the second half on their way to a 34-24 loss at Alcorn State in the season opener last Saturday night.

The culprit -- lack of intensity and focus.

That was the explanation given by UAPB Coach Lee Hardman over the weekend and UAPB players echoed the same sentiment.

I expected to hear an explanation about lack of offensive execution, (UAPB didn't score in the second half until the final two minutes of the game) or maybe about the six turnovers that were so important to the outcome of the game.

Those components were mentioned, but the prevailing sentiment was the attitude.

My question is this -- What does it take to get the team motivated?

Does Vince Lombardi himself have to rise from the grave to give a halftime speech? How about Knute Rockne or Fordyce's own Paul "Bear" Bryant?

Does former cancer survivor and Tour De France phenom Lance Armstrong have to ride around in the stadium on his bike before games?

Whatever it is, Hardman needs to figure it out and prescribe it to his team before that excuse becomes an epidemic.

Too many times last year, a lack of fire was also used to blame losses.

Harmdan and players insisted that the attitude has changed and this much younger team was inspired to win after witnessing last year's disappointment.

But it looks like the Golden Lions are experiencing a mental hangover.

Most teams would be unbelievebly fired up, considering they were leading at halftime over a good Alcorn State team. Coupled with the fact that they knew they would the ball in the second half and the ASU offense was reeling.

But for whatever reason, UAPB played like a team that was down at halftime.

They came out tentative and conservative when they needed to go for the jugular and send the Braves back on the ropes for more punishment.

UAPB let ASU back in the game and served up a couple of turnovers to help them gain confidence and secure the win.

Maybe the answer is to not leave the field at halftime. Maybe Hardman should just let the players stand on the sideline and watch the band.

What happens at halftime that could possibly transform a team at halftime from Cloud 9 to Death Valley?

That might be the biggest unsolved mystery yet.

During last year's Texas Southern game the Golden Lions pulled a similar stunt, but eventually pulled that game out.

UAPB jumped out to a 21-7 lead, but only led 21-14 at halftime. The Golden Lions tried to give the game away in the second half, but made enough plays to hang on.

Sometimes it appears UAPB looks at a lead like a virus -- they try to get rid of it.

They often don't appear comfortable on top, but they even look more deflated when they are behind (i.e: the 35-14 loss to Southern last year).

I know this whole lack-of-motivation thing is bugging Hardman. Heck, Hardman has done almost everything except send an invitation to Lombardi to speak to his team.

Hardman scheduled a team viewing of the Disney movie Remember the Titans last season and this year at the end of practice has mentioned the word intensity or motivation at least every other day.

Hardman also told his team a story he'd heard concerning legendary former Notre Dame basketball coach Digger Phelps.

Phelps used to have his team cut down the nets after every practice to give them an idea of what winning a title is like.

While the Golden Lions have not torn down the goal posts at the practice field yet, Hardman has encouraged high-fiving and back-slapping celebrations in practice.

Even with all this in place, the motivation has to come from the players themselves.

True, movies and speeches do motivate many teams to dig down deep and play hard on every play. However, those tactics don't seem to work with this team.

If the team needs more motivation than the Golden Lion on their helmet and the band playing the UAPB fight song, then it appears losses will be plenty again this season, as will be the excuses.
 



WITH MVSU NEXT, UAPB PUTS ALCORN BEHIND THEM

WITH MVSU NEXT, UAPB PUTS ALCORN BEHIND THEM

BY NATE OLSON / OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

After two practices this week in preparation for this week's game against Mississippi Valley State, the Arkansas-Pine Bluff football team is putting last week's disappointing loss behind them.

After leading 17-10 at halftime, UAPB fell to Alcorn State 34-24 in the season opener.

The Golden Lions didn't score a touchdown in the second half until late in the fourth quarter and finished with six turnovers for the game.

UAPB head coach Lee Hardman said most of the mistakes his team made can be corrected and that is just what the Golden Lions will be doing all week in workouts preparing for Mississippi Valley State.

"We just have to correct some of the little mistakes like the fumbles and not reading down when throwing the ball," Hardman said. "That just comes from more work. The mistakes we made, we feel we can correct them. If we correct those mistakes we feel like we can beat anybody."

Hardman and his staff are having a difficulty preparing for the Delta Devils, who were 0-11 last season, and feature new head coach Willie Totten, the former MVSU star quarterback and younger brother of UAPB assistant head coach Roger Totten.

"It's really a tough situation for us," Hardman said. "We're going into it blind. We don't know much about their coaching staff, but our concern right now is to eliminate our mistakes.

"We aren't going to worry as much about what Valley is doing or not doing, but we have to eliminate our mistakes. We feel like we hurt ourselves more than Alcorn hurt us. We want to eliminate our mistakes."

No one is more eager this week to work out the kinks than senior quarterback LaKendrick Powell, who had a nightmarish game.

Powell threw three interceptions and fumbled once, while throwing for 138 yards and a TD.

"It was the first game, and we had some mistakes but after a week of practice hopefully we can correct some of those mistakes," Powell said. "We should be able to correct them and move on to this week."

Hardman said the defense, who gave up 24 points in the second half, made most of their mistakes due to exhaustion of being on the field so long.

"I think a lot of it was fatigue and being on the field so long," Hardman said. "We probably worked them on special teams more than we should have. The three linebackers (Mike Shack, Haywood Small and Zelman Sanders) were on all of the special teams.

"We were concerned because we had some young fellas behind them. That's something we will correct this week."

If UAPB is going to rebound, they may have to do it without the services of three key contributors.

Senior slot back Phillip Doolin, who caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from Powell against ASU, and starting sophomore guard SeDarrin Freeman are listed as day-to-day. Doolin has a bruised knee and Freeman has a sprained ankle.

Junior safety Terrell Hammonds, who returned an interception for a TD Saturday night, is listed as doubtful for this week's game after sitting out much of the second half.

Hammonds is suffering from a sprained knee and ankle.

"If we lose all three of those guys this week it will be a big blow," he said.

Hardman said if Doolin cannot play, freshman Galdric Thrower or Willie Fears will play instead.

If Freeman is sidelined sophomores Norvell Golden or T.C. Jefferies will fill in.

Sophomore Tyrone Walker or senior Jamal Joyner will take Hammonds' place.

Junior defensive end Maurice Troutman practiced for the first time on Tuesday after sitting out with torn ligaments in his ankle, but Hardman said the Long Beach, Calif. native will not play this Saturday.

"I don't think Troutman will be ready to play," Hardman said. "He is trying to get his ankle back, but I don't think he is ready right now. I think he might be able to play this season if he continues to get treatment on it. I don't want him to come back too soon because I don't want him to spend the season hobbling on it."

McKay takes home honor

Junior college transfer receiver Korea McKay earned the SWAC Newcomer of the Week Award.

McKay caught seven passes for 144 yards and returned one kickoff for 31 yards in a loss to Alcorn State.
 
Dang Blacknbengal!!!!


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We are awear that our football team might not be that great this year!!!

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HARDMAN CONVINCED UAPB WILL ELIMINATE THEIR MISTAKES

HARDMAN CONVINCED UAPB WILL ELIMINATE THEIR MISTAKES

BY NATE OLSON / OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Arkansas-Pine Bluff continued to prepare for their game with Mississippi Valley State Wednesday with more emphasis on correcting fundamental mistakes.

"One of the main things we are trying to do is eliminate our mistakes," Hardman said. "We are also trying to prepare for the blitz a little bit more. They (Alcorn State) blitzed us a quite a bit and did a good job, so we want to make sure that we are ready for the blitz."

Wednesday's practice was also filled with drills that help to polish fundamentals.

Senior quarterback LaKendrick Powell and senior center Quintarus McCray stayed after practice to work on the center exchange, which Powell had some trouble handling last week.

"We worked a lot on fundamentals today," Hardman said. "The main thing is execution and doing the little stuff right. We had some fumbled snaps, so we took extra snaps to try to get that down. It was just simple things that hurt us. We have been trying to correct those things this week."

Powell, who threw three interceptions against ASU, has also been receiving extra work against the UAPB defense.

"We worked on that (the passing game) some, but we have just been doing a little of all of it to get ready."

Hardman also said his offense has worked on the running game that was clicking early against the Braves, but was shut down in the second half.

"We've been working a lot on the blocking scheme," he said. "Sometimes when you go to a one-back they try to blitz you from the backside. We've worked on blocking against that this week. We feel Mississippi Valley will try to do that after they watch the film, so we will be ready for it."

Defensively, the Golden Lions are gearing up for more passing. Former Delta Devils' quarterback Willie Totten will be making his debut as head coach and while Hardman doesn't know exactly what Totten will do, he has a pretty good idea.

"The word is Willie "Satellite" Totten is going to throw the ball all over the place with no backs in the backfield, so we are preparing for that, as well as the running game.

"We don't know what they are doing. The only way to prepare for that is to know your basic football. We are trying to make sure we don't mistakes. We want to line up right and make the right checks and put ourselves in a position to make the play."

Hardman said he feels that after a week of fine-tuning, the rust will have been shaken off and his team can get into the win column.

"I think the whole key to it is eliminating the mistakes and playing solid ball," he said. "If we play solid ball and eliminate mistakes, I think we will be OK.

Junior safety Terrell Hammonds did not practice and will not play against MVSU. Hammonds has been diagnosed with a sprained knee and ankle. He may be available for next week's home opener against Southern in the Arkansas Classic.

Senior receiver Phillip Doolin did practice, but is still day-to-day. Sophomore guard SeDarrin Freeman practiced but continues to nurse a sore ankle.
 
UAPB'S LOVELADY EARNS STARTING QB NOD

UAPB'S LOVELADY EARNS STARTING QB NOD

BY NATE OLSON / OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Arkansas-Pine Bluff sophomore quarterback Antonio Lovelady proved he could save a game, now he is eager to show he can go the distance.

Lovelady, a sophomore from Helena, will get his chance to show what he can do as a starter when UAPB plays host to Southern in the Arkansas Classic this Saturday.

"This is very exciting, and it's against Southern, too," Lovelady said. "I'm just real anxious. I'm looking forward to it."

UAPB Coach Lee Hardman announced Monday night that Lovelady will replace senior LaKendrick Powell as the No. 1 signal caller.

Lovelady guided UAPB to its first win of the year by erasing a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter with two touchdown passes in the final five minutes.

The Golden Lions eventually won the game in double-overtime, 36-30.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder, who sat out last season with a knee injury, was 9-of-14 for 159 yards and no interceptions.

"I felt like he (Lovelady) deserved the start," Hardman said. "He has worked hard and has done what we asked him to do, and he performed in a ballgame."

Powell has six turnovers in two games this year and just one touchdown pass.

Hardman said Lovelady is the starter until he proves he's not worthy.

"If he is taking care of business and moving the team, it is up to him," he said. "As long as he keeps taking care of business he will be OK. If he starts struggling we will go back to (LaKendrick) Powell or John Pierce. It will just depend on the situation.

"The reason I waited until today to tell them (Lovelady and Powell) was because it is a big move for Lovelady to get the start and begin the game instead of coming of the bench and being able to see what is going on. He feels like he is ready, and I feel like he is ready. Now we are going to give him a shot."

Powell was unavailable for comment, but Hardman said he took the decision in stride and is supporting the decision.

Hardman said if Lovelady continues to thrive at quarterback, Powell may be moved to another position.

"Powell has a lot of ability," Hardman said. "I would like to move him somewhere because he has such good feet. It's a possibility. Right now, the receivers are playing well, but you never know game-to-game or week-to-week.

"If he has to move back, he can do it. He has handled this real well. He knew what was going on, and he felt like Lovelady deserved a shot. That's what you want."

With his teammate's and coaches' support, Lovelady is looking forward to the challenge but admits the situation is surreal.

"There's not a whole lot of pressure, I don't really feel it right now," Lovelady said. "I'm just going to continue to work hard and do the best I can."

Hardman said it will be apparent from the opening moments of Saturday's game if Lovelady is ready to deal with the pressure and the expectations.

"He is going to have pressure moments from the time he steps on the field," Hardman said. "We'll find out real quick if he is up to the task. I watched him in high school, and I recruited him out of high school.

"He impressed me, and we recruited him real hard."

Not only does Lovelady think he can deal with the pressure, he thinks the Golden Lions can hand the Jaguars their third straight loss of the season.

"Yeah, I feel pretty confident," Lovelady said. "I believe we are going to come out and work hard and put the right packages together to help the team win."
 
DAYMN

Originally posted by philharmonic
Dang Blacknbengal!!!!


Do you subscribe to the PB Commercial?


We are awear that our football team might not be that great this year!!!

Stop rubbing it in!!!!
:(
Click to expand...


HE JUST JEALOUS.. THE TIGERS ARE O-2 WILL BE ON AND THREE AFTER THIS WEEKEND IN MEMPHIS........



WHAT ARE THEY SAYING IN THE PAPER ABOUT HUGHES AND THE 0-2 TIGERS
 
Re: DAYMN

Originally posted by NASTY_QUE_DAWG



HE JUST JEALOUS.. THE TIGERS ARE O-2 WILL BE ON AND THREE AFTER THIS WEEKEND IN MEMPHIS........



WHAT ARE THEY SAYING IN THE PAPER ABOUT HUGHES AND THE 0-2 TIGERS
Click to expand...

Jealous?? Jealous about what? Man, you sound like Ludacris after they snatched his Pepsi commercials..

Peanut Brittle have nothing to be jealous about.
 
Sprem, just be concerned that you bustas have just saved "Buckey's" job.

Dayum, you all lose even when you win...................:shame:
 
HA HA

Originally posted by Da_Sperm
I don't think JSU understands what 0-2 means.

It means your arse has LOST 2 GAMES and WON NONE
Click to expand...

AND IF THE OLE MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECT THEY GOT THAT ARSE WHIPPED THE LAST TIME DA TIGERS VISTED GOLDEN LION STADIUM...... NOTHING HAS CHANGED...... TELL ME THIS HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE 0-3....... WE AINT GOT TO WAIT TILL SAT....
 
WTF are you talkin' about?

I'm not reading anywhere in those articles that gives any indication that Bucky's job has been saved.

Of course, I didn't see it when I first read these articles in the newspaper.
 
Nita, over on dis hea board. We know how to read between the lines. And Buckey's job is safe and secure from that Valley win.
 
HUMNNNNNNNN

Originally posted by Blacknbengal
Nita, over on dis hea board. We know how to read between the lines. And Buckey's job is safe and secure from that Valley win.
Click to expand...

HELL I HOPE THAT WIN DIDNT SECURE NO DAMN JOB...... LAWD KNOWS I HOPE IT DIDNT....IF IT DID THAT IS A DAYUM SHAME:redhot: :redhot: :redhot: :redhot: :redhot:
 
It's not just a dayum shame. Its a "Low down dirty dayum" shame.

Keenon Ivory Wayans, pls send Peanut Brittle some help!

:shame:
 



Originally posted by Blacknbengal
Nita, over on dis hea board. We know how to read between the lines. And Buckey's job is safe and secure from that Valley win.
Click to expand...

I don't know about things over on dis hea board, but I DO know that in Pine Bluff, Bucky's job is ANYTHING but safe ...

I didn't have to read between anything to get that info ... and it DIDN'T come from the paper ...
 
LIONS DEFENSE LOOKS TO REGAIN FOCUS

LIONS DEFENSE LOOKS TO REGAIN FOCUS

BY NATE OLSON/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

After two games the Arkansas-Pine Bluff defense has found itself in an unfamiliar position.

After finishing as the No. 26 ranked team in total defense in Division I-AA a year ago, the Golden Lions have sunk to 83rd while giving up an average of 401 yards of total offense a game.

Things will get no easier for the defense this week when 0-2 Southern comes to town with their explosive offense.

The Jaguars have racked almost 800 yards of total offense in two games against Division I Tulane and No. 16 ranked 1-AA opponent, Northwestern (La.) State.

"Definitely, I believe we are up to the challenge," UAPB defensive coordinator Marty Steward said. "I believe we have to keep it close in the first half, and the kids will fight from there.

"Last year we gave up big plays early and dug ourselves a hole. It didn't matter what we did turnover-wise in the second half because we had given up too much in the first half. That was too big of a hole to climb, and we can't do that."

The Jaguars are loaded with big-play capability.

Senior receiver Michael Hayes was an all-American candidate before he got hurt in the season opener. He is back after a medical redshirt.

Hayes has 20 catches for 284 yards and three touchdowns this year.

"We are going to have to put two or three people on him," Steward said. "We are going to try to do some things to him, but he is a big-time football player.

"You can key on him (Hayes), but you have to know they have other good receivers, too. Hayes is a good receiver, but they have other good receivers. They are going to be good, but we just have to play hard. We are going to play hard, and do what we do best. We need to get to the quarterback and make them make mistakes."

Al 'Trevion Joubert has 15 catches for just over 100 yards and a score.

Southern also features senior running back Victor Ike, who is a transfer from the University of Texas. Ike has ran for over 100 yards in the two games.

The thing that has plagued the Jags is pass protection. Southern has already given up 13 sacks.

"I think they have a good offense, and I think the 13 sacks is a misnomer," Steward said. "I think they have gone up against some big-time football teams. They (Southern) are a good team. There is no doubt in my mind.

"Tulane is a Division I team, and Northwestern State is always a perennial power. I think that is a misnomer. When they come into the conference they'll be as strong as Southern ever has been."

While the Southern offensive line has been working on pass blocking, the UAPB defense has been working on wrapping up on tackles, which was a problem against Valley.

"A lot of the missed tackling was because (Carey) Weaver (MVSU quarterback) was a good athlete," Steward said. "When you have those kind of athletes you are dangerous. We had some defensive backs in there instead of linebackers, and they aren't used to making the big hits. We had to use those guys in different Dime and Nickel packages.

"It (tackling) was one of those things we worked on hard this week, and we will continue to work hard on it."

Steward said he thinks his squad will be ready for Southern offense, but his squad still has to make the plays.

"You can't talk this game, the kids have to go out and perform," Steward said. "All we can do is put them in a position to perform."
 
What, he had to put on pads to talk to Bucky? Looks as if ol' Art has slimmed down a bit, too ...
 
LOVELADY BEATS INJURY AND MVSU TO EARN START AGAINST SOUTHERN

photo.jpg

UAPB quarterback, Antonio Lovelady, with ball, hands off to a running back during Thursday's practice at the old Pumphrey Stadium.(Pine Bluff Commercial photo by Joseph Torres)



UAPB's COMEBACK KID:

LOVELADY BEATS INJURY AND MVSU TO EARN START AGAINST SOUTHERN

BY NATE OLSON / OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

The only thing Arkansas-Pine Bluff starting quarterback Antonio Lovelady carried in practice last season was a video camera.

Lovelady, who was rehabbing after anterior cruciate ligament surgery, was in charge of videotaping practice for the coaches.

"The injury really humbled me," Lovelady said. "It just lets you know things can be taken away from you. You have to stay humble and keep working hard and everything will work out."

And things have worked out in a big way for the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder.

After getting healthy, Lovelady showed last Saturday he earned the right lead the Golden Lions' offense.

Lovelady, a Helena native, threw two touchdown passes in the last five minutes of regulation to erase a 16-point deficit and lead UAPB to a 36-30 double-overtime win over Mississippi Valley State.

For his part in the Lions'c comeback, he was named the starting quarterback for this week's Arkansas Classic game against Southern Saturday night at Golden Lion Stadium.

"I didn't get a lot of sleep that night," Lovelady said. "I was up thinking about what happened. It didn't sink in."

Lovelady threw 30-yard passes to freshman Brian Thomas-Miller and senior Phillip Doolin and threw a 2-point conversion pass to Doolin to knot the score up at 30, sending the game into overtime.

"It ranks up there high (as one of the best comebacks)," UAPB Coach Lee Hardman said. "We have had some good games where we have come from behind. A game in 1994 pops into my mind, but this game (Valley) is right next to that. Lovelady came off the bench cold with seven minutes to go down 16 points and pulled it out. It definitely ranks up there high."

After UAPB fell down 34-17 in the fourth quarter against Alcorn State in the season opener, Hardman called on Lovelady to replace senior signal caller, LaKendrick Powell.

Lovelady responded with a quick scoring drive, that included a 68-yard pass to junior wide receiver Korea McKay.

In the six possessions that Lovelady has engineered, UAPB has scored on five of those.

The one drive that the Golden Lions didn't score on was in the first overtime against Valley when officials ruled senior kicker Aaron Wall's 22-yard boot was off the mark.

The rangy quarterback is 12-for-19 for 243 yards with no interceptions and two TD tosses.

"Lovelady came in during the Alcorn game when the game was over and did a good job then," Doolin said. "It just continued on into the Valley game.

"The coaches are making the right decision starting Lovelady because he is the hot guy right now."

By all accounts, Lovelady could have been starting his second year if it had not been for bad luck.

On the last play of the Black/Gold game in 2001, Lovelady tore his ACL.

It was determined he was lost for the season and Hardman played three different quarterbacks last season and couldn't find one that could consistently lead a scoring drive.

"He's an exciting player and was doing a pretty good job until he got hurt during spring ball," Doolin said. "He did a good job then, so we are pretty excited about him starting."

Lovelady said his knee is strong and as good as ever after a rigorous rehab.

"It's about the same," he said. "I haven't really done anything that I couldn't do before. I feel 100 percent."

Now that Lovelady has earned the starting spot, the question is can he start and finish a game?

"He is very smart and very aware," Hardman said. "He is very calm and in control when he is out there. That's what impresses you.

"We just hope he can do well as a starter because sometimes there is a little difference between being a starter and a reliever. We all feel good he can do it, and we are going to give him a shot. He's going to get the chance."

After the comeback Lovelady has made against knee surgery and against Valley, there is no one that can convince the Helena-West Helena Central alum that he cannot keep the starting job the rest of the season.

"Yeah, I believe I can do that," Lovelady said. "I will do that by studying film and looking over the packages and everything. It's more mental than it is physical.

"That's what I found out. If you have the mental part down, you should have the physical part down because you wouldn't be playing quarterback if you couldn't throw the ball."
 
UAPB 'D' DOMINANT, BUT STILL SHORT

UAPB 'D' DOMINANT, BUT STILL SHORT


BY JOHNNY L. JONES / OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Arkansas-Pine Bluff head coach Lee Hardman wore his disappointment on his sleeve after his Golden Lions dropped their second loss of the season with a heartbreaking, 14-13 defeat to the Southern Jaguars Saturday in the Arkansas Classic at Golden Lion Stadium.

After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, UAPB found its rhythm late in the second quarter and retained the momentum throughout the ballgame.

But a blocked extra-point kick after Billy Moody's 15-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter ended up being the difference, as well as an omen, for the Golden Lions.

Following the blocked PAT that would've tied the game at 14, UAPB had two punts blocked and a bad snap on another punting attempt that resulted in a pass reception that wasn't enough for a first down.

Each mishap occurred in the fourth quarter and put the Golden Lions' defense in tough situations against the Jaguars' offense.

Kicker Aaron Wall's field goal miss from 31 yards out with 2:27 remaining in the ballgame was the final blow on a horrendous night for the Golden Lions' special teams. UAPB had put together a conservative, yet efficient, final drive to set up the field goal.

But after getting good field position, the Golden Lions were still unable to convert, leaving Hardman frustrated after the loss.

"The deal was to take what they gave us," Hardman said of the final drive. "If we got down to the 30-yard line, we thought Wall would be able to kick the field goal.

"It's a tough loss. I thought the kids played hard, but we just made too many mistakes. Mistakes are killing us, and tonight was a prime example of it."

A loss of such nature as Saturday's can dampen a team's spirit, which was a particular concern with UAPB's defense. The Golden Lions' 'D' was forced to play in tough situations throughout the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, it answered each time it was called upon to do its job.

"I just told them they had to fight," defensive coordinator Marty Steward said after the ballgame. "We know Southern is a great team, but we felt like we came up with a game plan that could stop them.

"In the fourth quarter, we knew we were going to play a lot of people and we were going to use different packages. That kept them off-balanced."

Southern jumped out on UAPB early behind first quarter touchdowns by Al'Trevion Joubert, who caught a 15-yard pass from quarterback Quincy Richard at the 4:33 marker. A 13-yard run by Kenneth Peoples with 25 seconds to play in the first gave SU its second touchdown of the night.

The Jags' offense virtually dominated in the first half. Coming into the ballgame, Southern had gathered just 187 rushing yards against Tulane University and Northwestern State. After one half against UAPB, the Jaguars had nearly matched the mark with 152 yards on 25 carries.

Southern's 14-point first-quarter surge was even rare compared to its previous two ballgames. Prior to the Golden Lions, the Jaguars hadn't scored in the first quarter.

And after two quarters, Southern, who was averaging 397 yards of total offense per game, had 239 yards by halftime. The Golden Lions' defense reversed the momentum in the second half, however, allowing just 119 yards of total offense in the third and fourth quarters.

Steward said his unit's momentum shift and the second-half adjustments made a difference.

"I think we got caught up in some bad situations (in the first half)," said Steward. "We got in some (man-to-man coverage), which I don't think we should've gotten in. They got great receivers, and we went in the game plan not wanting to run any man and I let it go.

"I was mixing it up a little," Steward continued. "First time, we were off-balanced a little bit. They were trying to use a hurry-up (offense), but I figured out what they were doing at halftime and we made the adjustment."

Sophomore defensive back Randy Caldwell was a big key in the adjustments as he tallied two interceptions and a recovered fumble in the ballgame. Caldwell's interception with 6:41 to play in the ballgame set up what would've been the game-winning drive.

"(Caldwell) played great," Steward said. "That's what we needed to step up as a safety and he filled that void. We feel comfortable with it."

To lose but have as exceptional of a performance as the defense had Saturday could result in a letdown mentally. Well aware of this, Steward said that the Golden Lions must remain optimistic and focused on the remainder of the season.

"We still got to fight," said Steward. "Regardless of what happens, this is football. It could've went either way. So, I'm going to tell them to keep fighting, because it ain't over. It's still early."
 
UAPB WRAPS UP PREPS FORR KENTUCKY STATE

UAPB WRAPS UP PREPS FORR KENTUCKY STATE

BY NATE OLSON / OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

With one more light workout before playing Kentucky State in the Gateway Classic in St. Louis on Saturday afternoon, UAPB Coach Lee Hardman said his team has been focused all week and is ready to play after an emotional 32-26 win at Alabama State last week.

"The main thing we are trying to do is stay focused on what we are learning in practice and do things right," Hardman said. "We aren't taking this as an off week.

"One thing we talked to the players about was not playing good one week and not playing the other week. We want to be a consistent football team. We want to win on a consistent basis. To do that, you have to practice on a consistent basis. That's what we are going to try to do."

The Golden Lions will go through a short practice this morning and will leave for St. Louis at 1 p.m. After stopping for a meal in the Missouri bootheel, the squad is expected to arrive at the team hotel Thursday night.

A one-hour walk through will follow on Friday afternoon at the Edward Jones Dome.

Hardman said he has drilled his team on what Kentucky State (0-3) wants to do and feels comfortable with his game plan.

"Offensively, we just need to move the ball consistently," Hardman said. "They (KSU) runs a 4-3 defense, basically what we work against all the time.

"They aren't doing anything really, really special. They play hard, but they won't line up the way Alabama State did the other night. I can't see that. If they do, I think we will be ready for that."

One person Hardman and his staff will not have to worry about is running back Alvon Brown.

Brown scored three TDs, including returning the opening kickoff for a score in the Thorobreds' 34-30 upset win over at Golden Lion Stadium two years ago.

Last year Brown scored twice, but UAPB hung on take a 20-13 win.

"They don't have (Alvon) Brown, but you won't find too many Browns, period, but they have a good running back," Hardman said. "They have a good running back (Eddie Lester). The quarterback (Jonathan Harris) can move well and has a live arm. I think they are going to try to get him out of the pocket and throw it some.

"They have a good little receiver (Derek Talbert) that played last year, a short guy. He's a good little receiver. They are going to play us tough. They played us tough last year, and you know what they did to us two years ago. We are looking for a tough ballgame from them."

Hardman said that UAPB will be without starting tight end Brian Jones, who severely sprained his ankle in practice Tuesday, but should have the services of receiver Phillip Doolin. Doolin didn't practice all week due to a contusion on his knee that he suffered Saturday night.

"He (Jones) probably won't play, Hardman said. "We are going to go day to day on him, but we will probably hold him out next week during the open week and then have him ready for Texas Southern, so he can play right instead of having to hop on it."

Jones' departure from the lineup means true freshman Jeffrey Ridgle will make his first collegiate start.

"Ridgle will get the nod if Jones can't go," Hardman said. "He's (Ridgle) is a very serious guy. He gets on himself when he makes a mistake, and he wants to do well. We know he is a freshman, and he is going to make mistakes. He's working hard and he catches the ball well. He has soft hands for a big guy."
 
HARDMAN DISHES OUT SOME DOWN TIME FOR TIRED UAPB

HARDMAN DISHES OUT SOME DOWN TIME FOR TIRED UAPB

BY NATE OLSON / OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

After playing four of its first five games on the road, Arkansas-Pine Bluff needs some rest and relaxation, and thanks to an off week and their coach, they will get some time off.

UAPB Coach Lee Hardman has decided to practice just three days this week with no game slated for this Saturday.

UAPB (2-3) is coming off a 47-44 loss in four overtimes at the Gateway Classic at St. Louis last Saturday.

The Golden Lions practiced Monday, and will practice at their normal times Tuesday and Wednesday before being cleared for the rest of the week. The players will run and lift weights on their own, and practice will not resume until Monday in preparation for a Southwestern Athletic Conference-Western Division contest at Texas Southern.

"We are going to take Thursday and Friday off to get away a little bit," Hardman said. "We are give them some time off, but they will run and work out on their own for the rest of the week.

"We really need some time off after going back-to-back-to-back-to-back on the road. Especially, those bus rides. (The bus rides) are tough on you. We'll give them some time to work on their own, and I think it will be good for them to get away from (the coaching staff), and vice versa."

In the sessions that Hardman is putting his players in, he is going to work them hard to continue to improve on some of the basic aspects of the game.

With no opponent to prepare for, the coaches can stress fundamentals and schemes. The open week also allows Hardman to rest any of his players who are not 100 percent physically.

"I think the off week is going to help us because we have some fellas that are kind of banged up, and it will kind of help us get healthy and get refocused and put things back in priority," Hardman said. "We are going to work on some things and back at it, trying to improve."

Hardman said no one was hurt seriously Saturday night, and everybody should be at full strength for the Tigers.

That includes juniors tight end Brian Jones and safety Terrell Hammonds.

Jones missed the KSU game with a sprained ankle. Hammonds has been nursing a sprained ankle and knee that he sustained in the season opener at Mississippi Valley State. Hammonds has played in all but one of the games since then as the holder on field goals and extra-point kicks. Hammonds will sit out the rest of this week of practice like he has been and will go back to practice next week and will start at safety. Jones will follow the same process.

"Nobody got really injured," Hardman said. "We just had some bumps and bruises. I don't think anybody was seriously hurt. If we played this week pretty much everybody would be ready to play."

As important as the open week is to the players physically, it might even be more important to their psyches. Hardman said all of the players and coaches were down after the marathon upset loss to the Thorobreds. Then came a bus ride that didn't begin until 10 p.m. and lasted until almost 4:30 a.m. Sunday.

"It was a tough ride because it was a tough loss," Hardman said. "There's no one to blame because we had every opportunity to win the game or put the game away, but we never did it. I think that is part of the fact that we have a bunch of young kids on this team that don't have the killer instinct yet. That hurt us."

Before the Kentucky State loss, UAPB was coming off a thrilling 32-26 win over Alabama State in Montgomery, Ala. The Golden Lions were riding high after upping their SWAC record to 1-2. UAPB will have to win the rest of its games to win the Western Division, but Hardman thinks his team can pick up where they left off in SWAC play and keep the momentum going.

"I think we can," Hardman said. "The fellas never stopped fighting. We missed a field goal, dropped a pass and missed an interception that would have won it for us. We never put the game away. We're going to be OK. We're going to have a good open week and get ready for Texas Southern next week. We should be ready to go."
 
RESTED GOLDEN LIONS READY FOR TIGERS

RESTED GOLDEN LIONS READY FOR TIGERS

BY NATE OLSON / OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Arkansas-Pine Bluff Coach Lee Hardman won't find out until Saturday for sure, but it appears the four days off he gave his football team is paying off.

Hardman gave his team Thursday through Sunday off last week because of an open week. He was concerned about his team's well being, as they are winding down a stretch of playing six of the first seven games on the road or at a neutral site.

After the mini vacation, Hardman said his team has shown intensity in the first two workouts of the week.

"I think the time off is really going to help us," Hardman said. "I think the fellas came back with a great attitude and great work ethic. They are working hard right now.

"They are working hard, and we need to keep pushing and keep pushing."

Hardman said to ease into the week after the time off, his troops went through a two-hour workout in shorts and shoulderpads Monday.

On Tuesday UAPB worked for over two hours in full pads.

Both the offense and defense worked against the scout teams to simulate what Texas Southern will do in different situations Saturday night.

"It wasn't live scrimmaging, but it was situation-type football where we worked on things that we expect Texas Southern to do. We are trying to prepare for that and everything.

"We were just trying to keep the kids focused on what they are doing and what we need to do."

Hardman knows one thing his team needs to prepare for -- a potent passing game. Like most other Southwestern Athletic Conference teams, TSU likes to air it out.

Freshman quarterback Jacob Chavan is fourth in the SWAC in passing with 1,182 yards, 9 interceptions and 5 touchdowns.

Senior receiver Cortez Hankton is Chavan's favorite target. Hankton has 32 catches for 600 yards and four TDs.

Freshman Toric Goins has 26 catches for 291 yards for the Tigers.

"This is the SWAC, we know everybody in the SWAC is going to throw the football," Hardman said. "We are anticipating them throwing the ball. We are getting ready for that."

Injury update

Two players that were injured are 100 percent, while two others are still on the mend.

Senior receiver Phillip Doolin has practiced the last two days, after sitting out last week nursing a contusion on his knee.

Junior safety Terrell Hammonds has been holding kicks, but hasn't played in the defensive backfield since the season opener after spraining his knee and ankle. He, too, is at 100 percent Hardman said.

Senior center Quintarus McCray and sophomore guard Carl Wheeler are listed as questionable.

McCray starts, while Wheeler spells guards SeDarrin Freeman and Robert Toatley.

If McCray can't go, junior backup T.C. Jeffries will play in his place.

McKay sits atop SWAC

Surprising junior wideout Korea McKay, a transfer from Coahoma (Miss.) Junior College, leads the league in receiving yards and receptions.

McKay has 39 receptions for 653 yards and five touchdowns.

McKay's receiving yardage is good for No. 3 nationally, while his catches rank him fifth.

Time change for Red River Classic

The starting time for next Saturday's Red River Classic against Grambling State at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La., will be at 4 p.m. instead of the previously advertised 7 p.m. kickoff.
 
CHANGING WEATHER CAN'T KEEP UAPB'S HARDMAN AND LIONS INSIDE

CHANGING WEATHER CAN'T KEEP UAPB'S HARDMAN AND LIONS INSIDE

BY NATE OLSON / OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

Arkansas-Pine Bluff Coach Lee Hardman had a tough decision to make Wednesday afternoon.

A heavy rain coupled with cold temperatures made for an environment more suited or the K.L. Johnson HPER Complex.

However, Hardman opted to run his troops through workouts outside, as he determined they would be too confined inside to achieve what needed to be accomplished in preparation for Saturday's game at Texas Southern.

"We seriously thought about moving it inside," Hardman said. "We didn't want to stay in the rain for an hour-and-a-half practice and get somebody sick or somebody hurt.

"After it stopped raining we thought we could get something done -- things we couldn't get done inside. I'm glad we did because I think we got the things done we needed to do. We went about 15 minutes less than we would have in good weather. We would have went less than that, but then you get out here and see stuff you need to work on."

Hardman said if the inclement weather had arrived earlier in the week, he may have taken preventative measures, but the timing was not right to move inside with just a short walk through practice scheduled for this morning before leaving for Houston.

Despite the cool conditions that caused most players to wear a long shirt underneath their practice jerseys, the practice session was spirited.

"When the weather changes, kids kind of change as far as their movement," Hardman said. "When it's cold sometimes they don't move as fast.

"The kids responded and practiced hard. We were glad we were able to get it in out here because we don't know what the weather will be like in Houston. It's supposed to be warm, but you never know. The last time we went down there two years ago, it rained a lot. Mentally, that affects the way you play if you are not used to the conditions. That's why it was good to get out here on the wet field."

The major emphasis offensively, was accounting for Tigers senior linebacker Lenard Mack, the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2000, and the rest of the aggressive TSU defense.

"We wanted to work on maintaining our block," Hardman said. "We need to maintain our block a little long because they get off the line quick.

Defensively, coordinator Marty Steward ran his group through drills against the scout team working on defending TSU's passing game, including dangerous receiver Cortez Hankton.

"Defensively, we worked on recognition and coverages," Hardman said. "We anticipate them throwing the ball quite a bit. (Hankton) is a heckuva receiver. He's a very dangerous player."

Overall, Hardman feels like his team is ready for TSU after an off week last Saturday.

"I feel good about (the game)," he said. "I feel good at this point that we are ready."
 
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