University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff head football coach
Doc Gamble participated in the Southwestern Athletic Conference football coaches call Monday.
Gamble and the Golden Lions are coming off the first of two scheduled bye weeks after the 33-30 win at Southern on March 6.
UAPB (1-0 overall, 1-0 SWAC) returns to action this Saturday in a noon game at Grambling (0-2, 0-2). The UAPB Sports Network broadcast begins at 11:30 a.m. on 99.3 FM The Beat, online at uapblionsroar.com/live, and on the free UAPB Athletics App.
On Bye Week: "We were able to benefit from the bye week and allow some guys with nicks and bruises to get some additional treatment in and spend some time with that. It allowed us to get caught up with the academics part of it, and things they have to do academically and not lose focus with that. We had a good routine going (coming into the Southern game).
On Facing Grambling: "With Grambling, they could easily be 2-0 right now. They are pretty much two plays away from being an undefeated football team. (They are) a real good football team, and we know that. For us, we are trying to improve from week one to our second game. We are trying to make sure we show some improvement and solidify the things we need to do to go down here and take on a great opponent."
On The Rushing Attack at Southern (188 yards on the ground): "We want to be efficient. Being able to run the football, and I believe you have to run the football to win games you be able to do it and do it when you want to do it. But if not, it's just about being balanced. We have a couple of good backs that have helped us do that, and we have some good ones up front (on the offensive line) that help us do that as well. If we can run the ball, we'll run the ball. If we have to throw it, we're going to have to throw it. We're going to do whatever is going to work that day for us."
- The offense gained 411 yards and did not commit a turnover for the first time since the 52-34 win at Alabama A&M on Sept. 7, 2019.
- QB Skyler Perry, who was named SWAC Offensive Player of the Week, set a career-high in rushing touchdowns (two) and touchdowns accounted for (four).
- UAPB's 23-point second quarter was the highest since a 28-point second quarter vs. Langston on Sept. 14, 2019.
- The Golden Lions averaged 5.1 yards rushing and gained 188 yards on the ground. Perry (eight carries, 58 yards, 2 TDs) and RBs Omar Allen (10-54) and Mattias Clark (15-42) led the attack.
- WR/RS Tyrin Ralph's seven receptions tied a career high. Ralph also had a 40-yard kickoff return to open the game, leading to a field goal, and averaged 27.0 yards per kick return.
- The defense forced four turnovers for the first time since Oct. 5, 2019 vs. Lane.
- The unit limited SU to 3.9 yards per carry, forcing four 3-and-outs.
- LB Kolby Watts and DB Marcus Askew each had nine tackles in the game. Watts added a tackle for loss, while Askew added 1.0 sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup.
- LB Isaac Peppers' first-quarter fumble recovery was the third of his career.
- DBs making trio of second-half INTs: Shawn Steele made his sixth career interception and Jalon Thigpen recorded his second career pick in the third quarter. Keyvien Johnson nabbed his first career pick on the final SU drive to seal the win.
- P Jose Sanchez averaged 47.0 yards on six punts, with three downed inside the 20, and two of 50+ yards.
- Isaiah Singleton's blocked punt through the end zone resulted in UAPB's first safety since Sept. 23, 2017 at Jackson St.
#UAPBLionsAreComing
