UAPB SPRING GAME
BLACK 24, GOLD 6
PINE BLUFF -- Ben Anderson didn't miss a significant snap because of injury over the last four years. And other than a rough patch in his first game as starting quarterback as a freshman, Anderson didn't miss any because of ineffectiveness, either.
Over the last four seasons Anderson provided Arkansas-Pine Bluff Coach Monte Coleman with something every coach can appreciate: quarterback stability. The Little Rock Parkview graduate started 45 games, set school records for passing and total offense and helped deliver the Golden Lions a SWAC championship in 2012.
Coleman is facing the flip side of that luxury now, trying to find a replacement for a player who has been so dependable from a pool of players who have virtually no substantial experience.
"You've got nothing," Coleman joked Saturday regarding UAPB's quarterback experience. "You've got to start over. But it's a good starter."
In reality, Coleman has plenty.
Four quarterbacks took turns guiding the offense during a 90-play final spring scrimmage Saturday at Golden Lion Stadium. Sophomore Marcus Terrell, who threw three passes last season, and junior Nolan Sorensen took turns leading the Black team offense, which consisted of the No. 1 offense and defense; and sophomore Brandon Duncan and freshman Collin Willis took turns with the Gold team.
Sorensen and Willis each threw touchdown passes, while Duncan and Willis each threw interceptions as the Black team beat the Gold 24-6 at Golden Lion Stadium.
Willis completed 8 of 14 passes for 105 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception, while Duncan completed 10 of 15 passes for 88 yards and 1 interception, Marcus Terrell was 3 of 8 for 35 yards and Sorensen was 2 of 5 for 48 yards and 1 touchdown. But Coleman said Saturday's happenings likely won't have much do with who is announced as UAPB's next starting quarterback.
"I think they held their own," Coleman said. "There were some mistakes. Their reads, check downs, their progressions, but all of that is going to come. We'll work with them more through the summer and then when training camp comes we can work with them more. I think they'll be fine."
Whoever is picked will try to rebound UAPB from a 4-7 finish last year and 2-9 in 2013. The struggles had more to do with UAPB voluntarily giving up 10 scholarships the last two seasons because of player certification issues than anything Anderson did. The quarterback passed for 9,478 yards and 62 touchdowns over four years and finished with 11,467 yards of offense and scoring 85 total touchdowns.
"It's some big shoes to fill," said Duncan, a sophomore from Roosevelt, N.Y. "I've looked up to him a lot. He was a good player, and I learned a lot from him."
Now it's time for one of the understudies to take over. Duncan and Terrell were listed as Anderson's backups last season after redshirting in 2013. This spring is their first chance to truly compete for the starting job. That competition has company in Willis, who redshirted last season, and Sorensen, who arrived at UAPB in January from Fresno City College.
Coleman said he and offensive coordinator Anthony Jones decided before spring practice to give all four an equal chance to win the job. That meant equal snaps in practices and in all three spring scrimmages. During Saturday's final scrimmage, the four quarterbacks alternated series and Coleman never strayed from the plan.
"It's a little more meaningful every time we step on the field because we're trying to fight for that position," Terrell said. "You know you have to be ready to go, because there won't be that many chances with four people."
Coleman expressed appreciation that the quarterback spot is the only real race UAPB has on offense. Brian Handley, UAPB's leading returning rusher last year, and Willie Young, its leading receiver, both played Saturday, as did four offensive linemen with starting experience.
UAPB is trying to fill the lone remaining hole through competition.
"The more the merrier," Coleman said. "We need the competition. We're hoping that because of the competition, the cream is going to rise to the top."
Sports on 04/26/2015