PINE BLUFF -- After a week off, the Golden Lions get back to work this weekend, seeking their first win of the season and keeping hope of defending their SWAC title alive. However, it will be a tall task on the road against Jackson State in a rematch of the 2012 SWAC Championship game.
Although UAPB beat JSU in the last meeting 24-21, the Tigers lead the overall series 22-13-1.
JSU is sitting atop the SWAC Eastern Division at 3-0. The Tigers have won two in a row since losing to Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic. Last weekend, JSU survived a bruising 19-14 win on the road against Southern.
Meanwhile, the Golden Lions are looking for their first win of the season. But, even after the 0-2 start in the SwAC, UAPB still isn't out of the fight. The Golden Lions are coming off of a bye week following a tough home loss to Alcorn State.
Despite the tough start, UAPB has had some shining performances from some of its young players, particularly in the backfield. Freshman tailback Jeremiah Young is the team's leading rusher, stepping up in the absence of senior back Justin Billings. He goes into Saturday with 206 yards and four touchdowns on 43 carries. He is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has scored in each of the Golden Lions games this year.
Quarterback Ben Anderson has thrown for 805 yards and four TDs. He has connected on 67-of-119 passes and been intercepted three times. Anderson has also rushed for 114 yards on a team-leading 56 carries.
Anderson's favorite target has been Dezmond Beverly. Beverly has 17 catches for 216 yards.
On defense, linebacker Jer-ryan Harris leads the way with 51 tackles (13 solo). He also has a return for a touchdown. Antonio Jenkins has also been solid with 40 tackles, including four for a loss.
The high-powered JSU offense is triggered by quarterback Clayton Moore. Moore has passed for 653 yards on 47-of-98 attempts. He has a pair of touchdown passes and five interceptions. Moore is also the Tigers' second leading rusher with 264 yards and three touchdowns.
Running back Tommy Gooden is JSU's leading rusher with 318 yards and a touchdown. Gooden also has six receptions for 38 yards.
The Tigers have a pair of dangerous receivers at Moore's disposal. Leading the way is wideout Zach Pendleton who has 17 catches for 403 yards and two touchdowns. Not far behind is wide receiver Tobi Singleton. Singleton has 15 catches for 287 yards.
The JSU defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 15 times this season. Leading the way is Javancy Jones with 3.5. Jones also has 26 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss John McNabb is a half a sack behind with three. Ariane McCree is the leading tackler on the JSU defense with 37. He also has four tackles for loss and a blocked kick.
Kickoff is at 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss.
