LITTLE ROCK — Monte Coleman’s office phone has been flooded with well-wishers this week, most of whom have called to tell the coach they saw his Arkansas-Pine Bluff football team beat Alabama State on national television last week.
He appreciates the comments. He just wishes they’d hold off a bit.
“We’re glad that people are raving that we’re 3-1, but enough is enough,” Coleman said. “We’re ready to play another football game.”
The fifth-year UAPB coach likely won’t be able to subdue any excitement if his Golden Lions (3-1) win today.
On the heels of two consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference victories, UAPB travels to Nashville, Tenn., to play Tennessee State (4-0), an Ohio Valley Conference member with a stout running game and ranked by one poll as the No. 1 historically black college or university in the country.
It’s a stiff task, but it also provides UAPB an opportunity it has rarely had since Coleman arrived on campus as an assistant in 2003. Another victory could cause onlookers - even those outside of the lightly regarded Southwestern Athletic Conference - to take notice of a UAPB program that has had just one winning season since 2006.
Last week’s victory was played on a Thursday night, when few other historically black colleges and universities were playing, and in front of an ESPNU audience.
Tennessee State moved to No. 1 in the Sheridan Broadcasting black college football poll after beating previous No. 1 Bethune-Cookman last week. UAPB entered the poll, which ranks the top 10, at No. 7 this week.
“We’re at a high,” Coleman said. “That’s why there’s all the buzz with the fans and the people.”
To keep it going, UAPB will have to slow an offense that might run out of a pro-style set or a Spread in the same drive.
The Tigers, who also have beaten Florida A&M, Jackson State and Austin Peay, average 171.2 rushing yards a game and are led by Trabis Ward, who averages 110.2 yards a game and has scored seven touchdowns. He had 154 yards and two touchdowns last week against Bethune-Cookman, scored three touchdowns against Jackson State and has scored in every game this year.
But Ward and others will be headed right at UAPB’s strength. Led by a front seven that includes six juniors and seniors, the Golden Lions’ defense is holding opponents to an average of 129 rushing yards per game.
“We’re facing, probably, the best running team we’ll face all season: best linemen, best running backs,” UAPB linebacker Bill Ross said. “They run that zone [read] to perfection.”
UAPB will counter with a solid running game. Justin Billings had 127 yards and Dennis Jenkins had 82 as the Golden Lions piled up 246 rushing yards against Alabama State. John Toney and Aaron Lagrone also will get carries for a team that averages 186.2 yards rushing behind a line that includes four seniors.
“It was just a complete dominant effort from our left tackle all the way across,” Billings said of last week’s victory.
It helped UAPB win its second consecutive SWAC road game and take the lead in the Western Division with a 2-1 record.
That’s not important for UAPB this week. Instead, the Golden Lions face one of their most important nonconference games in recent memory.
“We’re excited, but we’re not too pumped up,” Ross said. “We’ve got a bigger task at hand - a road game against the No. 1 HBCU in America.”
TODAY’S GAMES All times Central Alabama State at Alcorn State, 2 p.m.
Florida A&M vs. Southern at Atlanta, 2:30 p.m.
Prairie View at Jackson State, 4 p.m.
UAPB at Tennessee State, 5 p.m.
Grambling at Alabama A&M, 6 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCT. 6 Texas Southern at Alabama State, 1 p.m.
Alabama A&M at Miss. Valley State, 2 p.m.
Southern at Alcorn State, 4 p.m.
Jackson State at UAPB, 6 p.m.
Prairie View vs. Grambling at Dallas, 6 p.m.
Today’s game ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF AT TENNESSEE STATE
WHEN 5 p.m. Central WHERE LP Field, Nashville, Tenn.
RECORDS UAPB: 3-1; Tennessee State 4-0 COACHES UAPB: Monte Coleman (22-26 in fifth season); Tennessee State: Rodd Reed (12-14 in third season) RADIO KUAP-FM, 89.7, in Pine Bluff INTERNET uapblionsroar.com
Sports, Pages 24 on 09/29/2012