Football Preview: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
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ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF
2012 RECORD: 10-2 (8-1 SWAC) / West Division Champions / SWAC Champions
KEY LOSSES:
Terren Armstead - OL
Brandon Thurmond - DL
Bill Ross - LB
STARTERS RETURNING:
Offense: 10
Defense: 9
Special Teams: 2
With 11 selections, including nine first-team picks, to the 2013 SWAC preseason squad, Arkansas-Pine Bluff is considered the favorite to emerge from the West.
The Golden Lions return 20 starters – 10 on offense and nine on defense – from last year’s 10-2 squad that set a school record for most victories in a season.
At the completion of 2012, the monumental season pushed head coach Monte Coleman as a nominee for The Sports Network Eddie Robinson Award.
All-SWAC redshirt junior quarterback Ben Anderson, MVP of the SWAC Championship and offensive preseason player of the year, leads the Golden Lions’ offense. Anderson threw for 2, 346 yards and 16 touchdowns.
He will have plenty of help on offense with a trio of All-SWAC skill position players returning. Running back Justin Billings was the second-leading rusher in the conference with 852 yards. He averaged a conference-best 5.8 yards per carry. Wide receiver Ladarius Eckwood had 52 catches for 752 yards and six touchdowns, and tight end Dez Beverly posted 46 catches for 434 yards and six touchdowns.
The offensive line is an experienced unit. Their only loss, left tackle Terron Armstead, who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints. That leaves guards Kenny Eagle (All-SWAC) and Keathric Brown with tackles Me’Kale Carter and LaFarious Hoskins as the anchors.
Despite losing FCS sack leader and Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Brandon Thurmond, and the 2012 SWAC leader in tackles, Bill Ross, the Golden Lions should be solid on defense as well.
Linebackers Jer-Ryan Harris, an All-SWAC performer, Xavier Lofton and Kyle Walker played well in spring drills. Damian Lee and DeMarcus Berry will be counted on to provide a strong pass rush. Gyovanni Harvey and All-SWAC free safety Ryan Shaw anchor the secondary.
Harris, Eckwood and Beverly were named to the CFPA Watch List for the upcoming season.
Preview Courtesy of Roscoe Nance
2013 PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Ben Anderson - QB
Justin Billings - RB
LaDarius Eckwood - WR
Dezmond Beverly - TE
Kenny Eagle - OL
Keathric Brown - OL
Damien Lee - DL
DeMarcus Berry - DL
Jer-Ryan Harris - LB
Xavier Lofton - LB
Ryan Shaw - DB