Today's the day.
For 77 years, the University of Arkansas has gone without playing against a football team from within the state. In that time, three other schools -- Arkansas State University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and University of Central Arkansas -- have taken their programs to NCAA Division I status but have gone without lining up against the Razorbacks, a team that prides itself on successful marketing as carrying the banner of an entire state and competing in the toughest conference in the nation.
In doing so, Arkansas has called on other schools, some in the Football Championship Subdivision (the lower level of Division I football), for a so-called "money game," offering a nice payday to the opponent. But no other university in the state has reaped such a reward from the Razorbacks, never getting the chance to line up face-to-face with a big-name program and try to win a few marbles from the state's highest-profile program, let alone share the same spotlight.
Not until today.
UAPB (1-5, 0-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference) gets the chance for which other programs in the state have waited 77 years, but to the players, it's not about the reported $600,000 their program will receive from today's game, set for an 11 a.m. kickoff at Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium. The game will air live on the SEC Network.
It's all about taking on the toughest competition available.
"It means a lot to me," UAPB redshirt senior receiver Josh Wilkes, a native South Carolinian, said. "Not knowing much about the background, but I know there's going to be a big game, something like a rivalry game, but we're ready for the competition. We know Arkansas is a very good team. We're just ready for the competition."
UAPB vs. Arkansas is a chance for players like sophomore linebacker Monroe Beard III to compete against a team on a higher level.
"I didn't really have a lot of Power Five looks coming out of high school," the Tennessean said. "So, it's a chance to compete with the next level. It's a great opportunity for the SWAC just to show it's a lot of great football played in our conference and it's just an opportunity to compete with the best."
WHO'LL STOP THE BLEEDING?
The winner of this game will end a tough losing skid in a season of such high hopes.
Under second-year Coach Sam Pittman, Arkansas (4-3, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) was ranked as high as No. 8 following a win over Texas A&M University, but has fallen out of the AP Top 25 with losses in the past three weeks to now-No. 1 University of Georgia, Ole Miss and Auburn University. Arkansas went for a game-winning two-point conversion at the end of the Ole Miss game but was denied.
UAPB hasn't won since its Sept. 4 season opener against Division II Lane College of Tennessee. The Golden Lions' skid began two weeks later with a loss to then-FCS ranked Central Arkansas and continued with a one-point home loss to Alcorn State University, then spiraled with losses to Prairie View A&M, Alabama State and Southern universities, months after playing in a spring SWAC championship game.
Both Arkansas and UAPB have dealt with injuries among key playmakers. The Golden Lions have been missing All-America return specialist Tyrin Ralph for weeks due to an emergency oral surgery, and Coach Doc Gamble also listed injuries among his linemen and defensive secondary.
"They're not going to stop play because you don't have your good guys ready to go," Gamble said. "We're battling through some injuries and things like that."
CLOSER LOOK AT HOGS
Arkansas is playing at War Memorial Stadium for the first time in two years, as covid-19 forced changes in the Razorbacks' 2020 schedule.
Arkansas is coming off a 38-23 loss to Auburn despite outgaining the Tigers 460-427 in total yards. Still, the Hogs have enjoyed some success in their passing attack this year.
Redshirt sophomore K.J. Jefferson has thrown for 1,463 yards and 11 touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 386 yards and five touchdowns. Jefferson, who on Friday was added to the Manning Award watch list, leads the SEC and ranks eighth in average yards per completion at 14.6.
Jefferson's favorite target is Warren High School graduate Treylon Burks, who has scored five touchdowns and totaled 628 yards on 38 receptions.
The Hogs' rushing game has produced 243 yards per game this season and will likely give the Lions' defense -- which allowed Southern freshman Kobe Dillion to rush for 267 yards last week -- plenty of fits.
Among the Razorbacks' deep rushing attack are redshirt Trelon Smith (team-high 435 rushing yards) and freshman Raheim Sanders (388).
Senior linebackers Bumper Pool (43 tackles, 4.5 for losses) and Hayden Henry (59 tackles, 7.5 for losses) lead the Arkansas defense, which has lost standout sophomore safety Jalen Catalon (two interceptions) for the season.
SIZING UP THE LIONS
UAPB averages 22.3 points per game and hasn't scored more than 30 points since blowing a 19-point lead against Alcorn State on Sept. 23, losing 39-38.
The Lions total 324 yards per game but have given up 413.5. Offensively, they lean more on the pass (197.5) with quarterbacks Skyler Perry and Xzavier Vaughn sharing time.
Perry has started every game but Vaughn has given the offense mid-game sparks.
"Coach always tells us it's not about the other team," Beard said. "We're looking to clean up our mistakes and play a perfect game. Everybody's got to get back on one string and play the defense we know we're capable of playing."
SWAC standings and schedule
Western Division;Conf.;Over.
Prairie View A&M4-0;5-1
Alcorn State;3-0;4-2
Southern;2-1;3-3
Grambling State;2-2;3-4
Texas Southern;1-2;1-4
UAPB;0-4;1-5
Eastern Division;Conf.;Over.
Jackson State;3-0;5-1
Florida A&M2-1;4-2
Alabama State;2-2;3-3
Miss. Valley State;1-2;2-4
Alabama A&M1-3;3-3
Bethune-Cookman;0-4;0-7
Today's games
UAPB at Arkansas, at Little Rock, 11 a.m. (SEC Network)
Bethune-Cookman at Jackson State, 1 p.m.
Florida A&M at Miss. Valley State, 3 p.m.
Prairie View A&M at Southern, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)
Alcorn State at Texas Southern, 7 p.m. (AT&T Sportsnet)