Before we go any further, yes it was my full intention to use as many “R” words as possible. Boom.

Now that the unofficial BYE week has concluded, Arkansas State is only days from making their return to the gridiron and more importantly, their debut at home as they prepare to host instate FCS foe, Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions of the SWAC Conference. It’ll be just the second time these two programs ever faced off, with the inaugural match up occurring back at the beginning of the 2013 season (a 62-11 victory for the Red Wolves), and once again this game should provide a nice tune up for Astate before they travel to Dallas next week to take on the SMU Mustangs. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s dive in a little bit more to the opponent, UAPB.

UAPB will roll into Jonesboogie Saturday sporting a 1-1 overall record.The ‘Lions opened up their 2017 season hosting division II opponent Morehouse College Maroon Tigers. After an initial sluggish start for UAPB where thanks to two interceptions and a lost fumble, they found themselves down early in the second half 10-0. But Arkansas Pine Bluff was ultimately able to rally and score 23 unanswered points to secure their first season open since 2012, 23-10. Despite coming out of the gate feeling pretty good about themselves, things quickly went sour for UAPB as they traveled to Akron in week two to battle the Zips.

Despite committing 11 penalties for 130 yards, Akron was still able to manhandle and quite frankly stomp the Golden Lions, amassing over 460 total offensive yards and only allowing 168 to UAPB in the 52-3 thrashing. During his media luncheon this past week, legendary Washington Redskin and UAPB Head Coach Monte Coleman didn’t shy from the clear size and talent advantage the Zips had over his squad. “They played hard, they’re a big football team, and they deserve to be in the FBS.

We had to get away from the run game a lot because we got down in score, forcing us to pass a little more than we wanted to.” Having the pleasure of meeting Coach Coleman many times in the past, he has always been the optimist and per the norm, found positives from the defeat.“It was a football game where we did some bad things, but we did a lot of good things — things that we can build off of…Overall, I was pleased with the effort and that’s what I was looking for.”

Once again, lets get this out of the way….YES, Arkansas State was upset at home to an instate FCS opponent last year. It happened. For outsiders looking in, it might seem like dejavu’ allllllllllllll over again. But even though both UAPB and UCA are FCS programs, I have to be honest-UCA is a vastly superior and talented FCS Program and Arkansas Pine Bluff isn’t. From the last time these two squads faced one another in September of 2013 to this upcoming Saturday, UAPB has gone 10-36.

Furthermore, once again as Coach ‘C’ pointed out in his presser, the Lions struggled with Akron’s size and athleticism and once again Astate will be boasting that advantage; for instance, the Golden Lions offensive line averages right at 6’4, 290 pounds; the Red Wolves offensive lineman average around 6’6, 308 pounds. And finally, taking into consideration the intangibles heading into this weekends game (the fact Arkansas State has been able to rest up for two weeks as well this will be stop number two of a four game road stretch for the Golden Lions) and everything seems to be pointing to another long, long Saturday for Arkansas Pine Bluff.