The Tigers are riding a two game winning streak as their next match up will be against University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, whose roster is shortened by 25 players including 11 starters, due to a suspension after a brawl took place in the midst of their victory over Southern University on Oct.15.
Key players that will miss Saturday’s game include: leading scorer receiver Desmond Beverly and No. 2 running back Stephen Jones who’s responsible for nine of the 18 total touchdowns, sack leader Joe Dalton and No. 4 tackler Ryan Shaw.
For a team that does much damage on the ground, the absence of Jones will not be favorable in the match up against a developing Tiger team. Back-up running back Justin Billings, who amazingly rushed for 101 in their game against Southern, will be suspended as well.
The growing pains for the Tiger offense seems to be ending and they’re building continuity.
In the Tigers Homecoming game Rivers targeted five different receivers and for the first time all season, the Tiger offense completed no turnovers in the victory over the Delta Devils.
“Super” Mario Louis had a career game scoring three touchdowns and emerging running back Dawerence Roberts doesn’t seem to be slowing down from erupting on the SWAC college football scene. He was honored as the SWAC offensive player of the week. According to SWAC.org, Roberts rushed for 136 yards on 18 carries for a 7.6 yard average, including a SWAC season-long rush of 87 yards in GSU’s 30-24 overtime victory over Mississippi Valley State.
This is the third time in the last four games that Roberts has rushed for more than 100 yards.
What was impressive with the G-men offense was their supporting cast. Louis and Roberts are heavy targets to the opposition consequently, in the Mississippi
Valley game Oshae Hamilton caught five passes for 74 yards, Terry McGill and Jeremy Hernandez both caught two passes for 35 yards and Kenneth Batiste
finished with eight carries 19 yards and one touchdown.
While the Golden Lions offense is disrupted, the Tiger offense is coming together. The lack of offensive firepower from UAPB gives the Tigers an advantage, but the question is will they take advantage?
Kev Keise
HBCU Buzz Staff Writer
