Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (2-7, 2-5 SWAC)
vs.
Alabama A&M Bulldogs (3-7, 3-5 SWAC)
1 p.m. - Louis Crews Stadium
Huntsville, Alabama

The Matchup:

This is an intriguing matchup between two teams picked to finish at or near the top of their divisions. However, things haven't as well as expected for either team. UAPB lost their first seven games before winning the last two. Meanwhile, A&M has lost four of the last five games. Two of the losses were to the SWAC division champs Jackson State and Southern, both by less than a touchdown. Their win was an upset win on the road over Alcorn State.

In a strange twist, Alabama A&M has the league's leading receiver, but is without a quarterback in the top 10. Meanwhile, as a team Alabama A&M is ranked last in the league in scoring, while UAPB is in the middle of the pack. But, the Bulldogs are first in the SWAC in scoring defense and total defense holding opponents to 22.5 points and 321 yards per game. On the other side of the coin, UAPB is last in the league in scoring defense, surrendering over 39 points per game.

Series Record:

Saturday's game will be the 20th in the series which began in 1980. The Bulldogs have won 14 of the first 19, including six of the last seven since 1996. A&M has won the last two games, including one of the Golden Lions' only two losses in 2012, 14-10 in Pine Bluff. In 2011, A&M edged UAPB 28-27 in Huntsville. UAPB snapped a four-game losing streak to A&M in 2010, beating the Bulldogs 21-14. The Golden Lions and Bulldogs have met once in the SWAC championship game. A&M claimed the 2006 title with a 22-13 victory at Legion Field in Birmingham.

Players to Watch

UAPB -
(QB)
Benjamin Anderson - 172-of-284, 2,231 yards, 15 TDs, 9 INT (247 ypg); 680 yards rushing, 7 TDs (75.6 ypg) - Ranked 1st in Total Yards, 2nd in the sWAC in passing, 3rd in passing efficiency, 6th in rushing, 9th in scoring
(RB)
Jeremiah Young - 471 yards, 6 TD on 94 carries (52.3 ypg)
(WR)
Dezmond Beverly - 41 rec, 503 yards (55.9 ypg), Ranked 6th in the SWAC in Receptions, 7th in Receiving yards
(WR)
Cody Swain - 25 rec, 421 yards, 4 TDs (46.8 ypg)
(LB)
Jer-ryan Harris - 97 tackles (51 solo), 3.0 TFL, 1 QBH (1 fumble return for TD)
(LB)
Antonio Jenkins - 75 tackles (47 solo), 5.0 TFL, 1 INT, 3 Breakups, 1 Forced Fumble

AAMU -
(QB)
Jaymason Lee - 68-of-156, 999 yards, 7 TDs (166.5 ypg)
(RB)
Barrington Scott - 806 yards and 4 tD on 197 carries, Ranked 5th in the SWAC in rushing
(WR)
Montaurius Smith - 47 rec, 666 yards (66.6 ypg), 4 TDs, Ranked 3rd in the SWAC in Receptions, 5th in Receiving Yards
(LB)
Robert Nelson - 80 tackles (31 solo), 8 TFL, 1 sack, 3 BU, 1 QBH, 1 Forced Fumble
(DB)
Lawrence Barnett - 40 tackles, 1 sack, 3 INT, 2 BU
(DB)
Derrick Harris - 24 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 INT, 5 BU
(DB)
Tremaine Shepherd - 19 tackles, 3 INT, 2 BU, 1 QBH

Team Stat Comparisons