The University of Arkansas At Pine Bluff head coach Cedric Thomas participated in Monday’s Southwestern Athletic Conference football coaches conference call Monday.
Thomas reviewed Saturday’s homecoming win over Lane and offered initial comments on this week’s opponent Mississippi Valley State.
On Win vs. Lane: “Anytime you can get a win, it’s always a blessing. We talk to the kids. In college football today, no one is giving wins out. We gladly accept it as we continue to build this culture and go on this journey of establishing a great culture not only academically but athletically also.”
On Homecoming Atmosphere and Lane Contest: “It was a great atmosphere as usual. The fans came out and really supported these young men. We got off to a pretty good start and we were leading 24-6 at halftime. We were really locked in. We just came out in the second half too flat. Coach (Derrick) Burroughs and his staff did a good job of making adjustments.”
On Miss. Valley St: “Coach (Vincent Danzy) and I are in similar situations; young coaches building and getting programs kind of off the ground and up and running. He’s doing a great job. You look at the kids (on film) flying around and making plays. Defensively, they have a high number of sacks and are up in all the statistical categories…Offensively they have a big-time quarterback that makes a lot of plays in space.”
NOTABLES vs. LANE:
UAPB is now 4-2 for the first time since 2012
- UAPB posted its 1st homecoming win since 2012
- Offense posted its fourth game of 37+ points, including three 40+ games
- Offense posted its third 200+-yard rushing game of the season with 211 (third highest of season) and third 300+-yard passing game of the season with 321 (third highest of season) in gaining 532 total yards (second highest of the season)
- Defense forced four takeaways, the most in a game since 2015
- Defense now has six interceptions in 2019, surpassing all of 2018
- LB Isaac Peppers’ second-quarter sack extends defense’s streak to 12 straight games with at least one sack
- RB Taeyler Porter posted his ninth career 100-yard receiving game and second this season with a season-high 21 carries for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Porter is third in the SWAC in rushing with 577 yards and is tied for second with seven touchdowns.
- RB Keshawn Williams is seventh in the SWAC in rushing yards with 339.
- QB Shannon Patrick threw for a season-high 268 yards and two touchdowns, and scored his first career rushing touchdown
- WR Harry Ballard III caught a team-high six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. He continues to lead the SWAC in TD receptions, is second in receiving yards, and third in receptions.
- WR DeJuan Miller posted his 5th career 100-yard receiving game and first this season (3 rec, 101 yards). He is seventh in the SWAC in receiving yards
- WR Josh Wilkes had his first touchdown reception of the season and caught five passes for the second straight week (5 rec, 73 yards, 1 TD)
- DB Shawn Steele had two takeaways in final four minutes (fumble recovery and interception)
- DB Blake Conner has posted back-to-back 11-tackle games and has 31 in the last three games
DELTA DEVILS NEXT: The Golden Lions will return to SWAC play Saturday against Mississippi Valley State at 1 p.m. at Simmons Bank Field in the Breast Cancer Awareness Game.
Tickets are available online at uapblionsroar.com/tickets, by calling 870-575-8601 or at the UAPB Ticket Office at Simmons Bank Field.
The UAPB Sports Network Radio Broadcast begins with the Lions Roar Pregame show at 12:30 p.m. on KPBA 99.3 FM The Beat in Pine Bluff, KARN 920 AM The Sports Animal in Little Rock, online at uapblionsroar.com/live and on the free UAPB Athletics App.
