#UAPBFootball Starts New Era At Tulsa On ESPN+

8/30/2023 1:00:00 PM

PINE BLUFF, AR.- As the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions football gets ready to launch the Coach Alonzo Hampton Era for his second stint with the football program, but first as a head coach, Thursday night against Tulsa Golden Hurricanes (7 p.m. CT, on ESPN+). Around the field house, there is understandable excitement surrounding the new season, the new coaching staff, and new energy.

During his first stint as an assistant coach from 2006-2009, Hampton help led UAPB to a SWAC Western Conference Championship in 2006, but now he's back to "RESTORE and RECLAIM the PRIDE", as the head man in charge.

UAPB and Tulsa will kickoff at H.A. Chapman Stadium, which will be the first meeting between the two programs.

"We had a great training camp, new coaching staff, a lot of new players coming, so everybody is excited to get a good feel of where we want to take our program, and our motto is RESTORE THE PRIDE," said Coach Hampton. "We're excited about the opportunity to play against Tulsa on a national stage and have a first look at our team. We are setting a foundation around the program to get them on track to make everybody better. Players have been battling all summer against each other and they are ready to compete against someone else, it's time to go."

UAPB's offense has one advantage- that Tulsa has no film to look at from last year to chart the Golden Lions' tendencies. Of the three quarterbacks (Mekhi Hagens, Jalen Macon, and Chancellor Edwards), offensive coordinator Bobby Acosta feels really good about his scheme as the season approaches.

The Golden Lions returned six starters on offense, including three on the offensive line led by SWAC preseason second-team All-Conference Ryan Atkins. The Golden Lions line played a significant part in UAPB's running game, as they led the conference in rushing. Atkins is the third consecutive UAPB offensive lineman to be named to the conference preseason All-Conference team since Mark Evans II (Lineman, New Orleans Saints)

"We have three quarterbacks capable of playing this game. Unfortunately, only one can play," said Acosta. "We have prepared our entire room for the game plan. Now, we need to go out and perform to the best of our abilities. Our quarterbacks had a good preseason camp, and they have improved as we went on, but I'm excited about where we are right now. Our focus on offense is to dominate our craft and take it one play at a time."

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive coordinator David Calloway returns five starters, led by two preseason second-team All-Conference linebacker Rico Dozier and defensive tackle Kendarius Clark. Dozier played in all 11 games last year for the Golden Lions. The junior registered (87) total tackles, with (41) being solo to lead the team last season. His (87) tackles placed him sixth in the SWAC overall.

Clark, known as a run-stopper on the defensive front, started in nine games and played 11 games for the Golden Lions. He finished the season with (46) tackles, six TFLs, two sacks, and one QB hurries. Clark finished the season ranked in the top 15 in the SWAC Conference in sacks (5).

"I'm very excited to see the results of the work our guys are having as we prepare for the season," said Calloway. "The players are buying in, showing up consistently watching the video and doing things correctly with a certain type of attitude and attention to detail (Kendarius Clark, Isaiah Ward, Rico Dozier, and Grant Ewell), to mention a few. As we approach kickoff, I look forward to our defense playing together and having fun while playing tough, clean football.

Special teams play a big part in the Golden Lions success on the field, returning Maurice Lloyd, who finished second overall in the conference in kickoff return, averaging 25.4 yards and one touchdown. UAPB finished top 5 in both kickoff (5th) and punt (2nd) returns last season in the SWAC. The Golden Lions were one of three teams to tally over 300 yards in punt returns during the 2022 campaign.

The Golden Hurricanes will be led by Braylon Braxton behind the center at the quarterback slot, playing in nine games in 2022, with three starts for 1,133 yards and 10 touchdowns, followed by the receiving corps is led by Malachai Jones, who finished third in receiving a year ago with 470 yards, and Oklahoma Player of the Year Braylin Presley.

On the defensive side of the ball, the defensive unit returns eight players with past starting experience and led by senior safeties Kendarin Ray, who had the third-most tackles last year with (86), LJ Wallace, and defensive linemen Joseph Anderson, who is the leading returning TFL leader in 2023, and Jayden Simon.

#1Team1ROAR

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