The unbeatened Southern University Jaguars (4-0, 2-0 SWAC) will face the University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff (2-3, 1-1 SWAC) Saturday at A.W. Mumford Stadium.
Jags head coach Pete Richardson and the Jags are coming off a critical 35-10 win over Alabama State. Jags’ quarterback Quincy Richard completed 19 of 36 passes for 262 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s game and still has not been sacked this season.
“The (offensive) line has been very good to me,” said Richard. “They are definitely more healthy and mature. They are more confident and that gives me confidence to do my job.”
Part of that job is finding his favorite receivers senior Chris Davis and junior Alfred Ard. Richard has connected with Davis 18 times for 293 yards and two touchdowns. Ard has 15 receptions for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
Although the Jags are unbeaten, Richardson said that UAPB is not to be taken lightly. The Golden Lions’ junior Cedric Bowen leads the SWAC with 879 all-purpose yards and junior quarterback John Pierce is fourth in the conference in passing with 825 yards and 10 TDs.
“I know that they like to throw the ball also,” said senior defensive back Lenny Williams. “But we will be ready.”
Williams received two interceptions in last week’s game.
On the other side of the ball, Richard will have to contend with a UAPB squad that leads the conference in pass defense efficiency. The Golden Lions have intercepted their opponents’ 10 times and defensive back junior Terrell Hammond is credited with five of them.
UAPBs offense will have to face Southern’s junior Kevin Mack and freshman Jarmaul George.
Mack has 3.5 sacks this season and George, a true freshman from LB Landry High School, has two interceptions and 20 tackles.
After being ejected in last week’s game for throwing an elbow, junior defensive lineman Perry Davis will have to sit out at least half of the game due in accordance to NCAA regulations.
Last season the Jaguars nearly fell to the Golden Lions in a 14-13 win at Pine Bluff, Ark. last season.
But defeat was averted when kicker Aaron Wall’s point-after-attempt was blocked after a UAPB touchdown with 12:21 left in the game.
