From @JaxCrall
To open up the 2024 football season, Arkansas is traveling to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock to take on the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions on Thursday.
The last time the Razorbacks took on UAPB was also at War Memorial Stadium in October 2021, when former standout wide receiver Treylon Burks had two receiving touchdowns in a 45-3 win for the Hogs. All 45 points were scored in the first half and the starters were out of the game by the second half. Arkansas has not played UAPB since their strong 2021 season, which resulted in a 9-4 overall record.
This year is a new roster with a lot of fresh faces for the Razorbacks, including Boise State transfer quarterback Taylen Green, who is set to make his first start in Red and White with new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino calling the plays.
"I’m just taking everything in," Green said Tuesday. "We just had meeting with Petrino and like this is going to be your first game, your first play. We already got our first play and what we’re going to do. He’s like, ‘This is gonna be your first play as a Hog.’ I’m just going to take everything in. I’ve heard a lot about it. I’ve heard positive things and a passionate fan base so I’m just excited for that first kickoff and hearing the calling of the Hogs."
Below is a preview of what to expect from the Golden Lions in Thursday’s game, which will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT and be broadcasted on ESPNU.
Offensive Coordinator: Tony Hull
Defensive Coordinator: David Calloway
2023 record: 2-9
Division: FCS
UAPB Captains: QB Mekhi Hagens, DE Elijah Jenkins, K Trey Glymph, P Jeremy Baker
The Golden Lions managed to win just one conference game in the SWAC last year with a tough quarterback rotation. Mekhi Hagens was named the starting quarterback this season for UAPB for the second consecutive year. Last season, Hagens went down in the opener against Tulsa with an injury in the second half and would return by splitting reps with former quarterback Jalen Macon.
UAPB has many incoming transfers on both sides of the ball. Senior defensive tackle Antonio Johnson from Northeastern State and wide receivers JaVonnie Gibson and Kristian Gammage are looking to make big impacts for the team. Both rising sophomore transfers from Arkansas-Monticello, Gibson (403 yards, 4 TDs) and Gammage (223 yards, 3 TDs) were among the Boll Weevils’ top five receivers a year ago.
Coaching: Looking at this coaching staff, it is pretty promising for an FCS team. Offensive coordinator Tony Hull came from Grambling State, where he served as their co-offensive coordinator last season. Hull captained a turnaround that resulted in Grambling ranking first in the SWAC in yards per game (407.8) and rushing yards per game (184.8), plus third in points per game (28.7).
UAPB’s defensive coordinator, David Calloway, was a head coach at Central Methodist University for seven seasons before he joined the Golden Lions in 2023. Calloway led Central Methodist to a 9-3 overall record in 2021, which saw them earn their first conference championship since 1975.
Finally, head coach Alonzo Hampton is in his second year as head coach for UAPB after going 2-9 a year ago. Hampton was previously the assistant head coach and special teams coordinator for Louisiana-Monroe. Hampton was a defensive analyst under former Arkansas head coach Chad Morris in 2019.
Linebackers: UAPB’s linebacker corps was arguably one of the best position groups on the team last year under Hampton. The group is led by redshirt sophomore Khalil Arnold, a Phil Steele Preseason All-SWAC Third Team selection, who had 40 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles in 10 games last year.
Offensive weapons: Sam Pittman stated in his Monday press conference that UAPB loves mixing things up with run-pass options, bubble screens and stretch plays. Hagens, a former three-star recruit, presents a true dual-threat option at quarterback. The Golden Lions also have a solid offensive line including left tackle Christian Love, who Pittman had high praise for.
The Golden Lions aren't going to be scared entering this matchup, but it's safe to say they also aren't going to win this one. Hampton seems to have the program moving in the right direction, and the offensive duo of Hull calling plays and Hagens running the offense seems like it could be successful against other FCS team this year.
Pressure to the QB: Last year, UAPB would rarely send pressure to the quarterback, and with defensive coordinator David Calloway returning, it might be safe to say they keep this up. Last season, the Golden Lions had just 18 team sacks compared to 36 allowed. Pittman did mention that the Hogs are taking what they’ve seen from last year’s pressures and amping it up because they are expecting more movement.
With a significant amount of new faces on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, there are a lot of questions about if this group will improve or repeat something similar to last year’s 4-8 season. Adding offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino and keeping stars like defensive end Landon Jackson and wide receiver Andrew Armstrong could make this team special.
Regardless of how the Razorbacks perform Thursday, they will win this game. The only question in this one is how much will Arkansas win by?
Arkansas 45, UAPB 7
To open up the 2024 football season, Arkansas is traveling to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock to take on the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions on Thursday.
The last time the Razorbacks took on UAPB was also at War Memorial Stadium in October 2021, when former standout wide receiver Treylon Burks had two receiving touchdowns in a 45-3 win for the Hogs. All 45 points were scored in the first half and the starters were out of the game by the second half. Arkansas has not played UAPB since their strong 2021 season, which resulted in a 9-4 overall record.
This year is a new roster with a lot of fresh faces for the Razorbacks, including Boise State transfer quarterback Taylen Green, who is set to make his first start in Red and White with new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino calling the plays.
"I’m just taking everything in," Green said Tuesday. "We just had meeting with Petrino and like this is going to be your first game, your first play. We already got our first play and what we’re going to do. He’s like, ‘This is gonna be your first play as a Hog.’ I’m just going to take everything in. I’ve heard a lot about it. I’ve heard positive things and a passionate fan base so I’m just excited for that first kickoff and hearing the calling of the Hogs."
Below is a preview of what to expect from the Golden Lions in Thursday’s game, which will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT and be broadcasted on ESPNU.
UAPB Resume
Head Coach: Alonzo Hampton (2nd season)Offensive Coordinator: Tony Hull
Defensive Coordinator: David Calloway
2023 record: 2-9
Division: FCS
UAPB Captains: QB Mekhi Hagens, DE Elijah Jenkins, K Trey Glymph, P Jeremy Baker
UAPB Depth Chart
Tale of the Tape
UAPB is a part of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), and their conference is the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). There is really not too much to talk about here because this is nothing short of a warm up game to kick off the 2024 season for Arkansas.The Golden Lions managed to win just one conference game in the SWAC last year with a tough quarterback rotation. Mekhi Hagens was named the starting quarterback this season for UAPB for the second consecutive year. Last season, Hagens went down in the opener against Tulsa with an injury in the second half and would return by splitting reps with former quarterback Jalen Macon.
UAPB has many incoming transfers on both sides of the ball. Senior defensive tackle Antonio Johnson from Northeastern State and wide receivers JaVonnie Gibson and Kristian Gammage are looking to make big impacts for the team. Both rising sophomore transfers from Arkansas-Monticello, Gibson (403 yards, 4 TDs) and Gammage (223 yards, 3 TDs) were among the Boll Weevils’ top five receivers a year ago.
UAPB Strengths
Coaching: Looking at this coaching staff, it is pretty promising for an FCS team. Offensive coordinator Tony Hull came from Grambling State, where he served as their co-offensive coordinator last season. Hull captained a turnaround that resulted in Grambling ranking first in the SWAC in yards per game (407.8) and rushing yards per game (184.8), plus third in points per game (28.7).
UAPB’s defensive coordinator, David Calloway, was a head coach at Central Methodist University for seven seasons before he joined the Golden Lions in 2023. Calloway led Central Methodist to a 9-3 overall record in 2021, which saw them earn their first conference championship since 1975.
Finally, head coach Alonzo Hampton is in his second year as head coach for UAPB after going 2-9 a year ago. Hampton was previously the assistant head coach and special teams coordinator for Louisiana-Monroe. Hampton was a defensive analyst under former Arkansas head coach Chad Morris in 2019.
Linebackers: UAPB’s linebacker corps was arguably one of the best position groups on the team last year under Hampton. The group is led by redshirt sophomore Khalil Arnold, a Phil Steele Preseason All-SWAC Third Team selection, who had 40 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks and two forced fumbles in 10 games last year.
Offensive weapons: Sam Pittman stated in his Monday press conference that UAPB loves mixing things up with run-pass options, bubble screens and stretch plays. Hagens, a former three-star recruit, presents a true dual-threat option at quarterback. The Golden Lions also have a solid offensive line including left tackle Christian Love, who Pittman had high praise for.
UAPB Weaknesses
Strength of Schedule/Overall Talent: Being an FCS team and going against FCS opponents week in and out is one thing, but going against an SEC team Week 1 is another. UAPB opened the year with a 42-7 loss at Tulsa last year, and its only other game against an FBS team not named Arkansas since 2021 was a 63-7 loss to Oklahoma State in 2022.The Golden Lions aren't going to be scared entering this matchup, but it's safe to say they also aren't going to win this one. Hampton seems to have the program moving in the right direction, and the offensive duo of Hull calling plays and Hagens running the offense seems like it could be successful against other FCS team this year.
Pressure to the QB: Last year, UAPB would rarely send pressure to the quarterback, and with defensive coordinator David Calloway returning, it might be safe to say they keep this up. Last season, the Golden Lions had just 18 team sacks compared to 36 allowed. Pittman did mention that the Hogs are taking what they’ve seen from last year’s pressures and amping it up because they are expecting more movement.
Prediction
Arkansas is looking to start the year off on the right foot, and this is a game the team is ready for.With a significant amount of new faces on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, there are a lot of questions about if this group will improve or repeat something similar to last year’s 4-8 season. Adding offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino and keeping stars like defensive end Landon Jackson and wide receiver Andrew Armstrong could make this team special.
Regardless of how the Razorbacks perform Thursday, they will win this game. The only question in this one is how much will Arkansas win by?
Arkansas 45, UAPB 7
