Sports

GOLDEN LIONS’ ARMSTEAD HAS BRIGHT FUTURE AT LEFT TACKLE

By Troy Schulte/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 11:52 PM CST

When he arrived at Arkansas-Pine Bluff this past August, Terron Armstead was preparing to begin his career as a standout defensive end.

After making the switch from defensive end during his first season in Pine Bluff, Arkansas-Pine Bluff left tackle Terron Armstead (right) is a big reason for the Golden Lions’ limiting their number of sacks this season. After allowing 30 sacks through seven games last season, UAPB has allowed only 14 in the same number of games this season. PINE BLUFF COMMERCIAL/RALPH FITZGERALD.

Imagine the freshman’s surprise when, during the first practice of fall camp, coach Monte Coleman pointed at the big kid from Illinois and instructed him to remove his black practice jersey in favor of a white one with the No. 70 on it.

“I was kind of disappointed at first,” said Armstead of when his job description shifted from chasing down quarterbacks to protecting them. “But, if that’s where they needed me, that’s where I was going to play.”

About three months later, Armstead has few complaints.

The 6-5, 310-pounder has started two of the past three games at left tackle for UAPB and has helped solidify an ever-improving offensive line that is in the beginning stages of becoming a strength for the Golden Lions.

In a 24-10 loss last week to Southern, the Golden Lions gained 148 yards rushing and, during a drive at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarters, moved 74 yards on 14 plays, 13 of which were on the ground.

The week before, in a 38-12 win over Edward Waters College, they rushed for a season-high 226 yards.

And, in perhaps the most tell ing statistic when gauging the offensive line’s improvement, UAPB quarterbacks have been sacked only 14 times through seven games. Through seven games last season, that number was 30.

And though Coleman won’t say that all of the improvement up front has to do with the insertion of Armstead for the Oct. 10 win at Jackson State, he has certainly helped.

“I think there are a lot of factors,” Coleman said. “Armstead is one of the factors. He’s still young, he made some mistakes.

“But he’s aggressive and that’s what we need from the young guys who are learning as they go.”

When offensive coordinator Jonathan Cannon, who also coaches the offensive line, discusses his new left tackle, he’ll quickly admit that Armstead could be playing in the Big Ten or the Big 12 right now. He’ll also admit that he probably got lucky when he landed him.

“I don’t know how they missed him,” Cannon said.

Most of the film from Cahokia, Ill., High School — located just across the Missouri River from St. Louis — was of Armstead playing defensive end. But Cannon still saw a big body that could move and, knowing the troubles with depth he has had there in recent years, he wanted him in with his group of lineman. Armstead said he received attention from “bigger schools,” but didn’t pay them much attention because they wouldn’t let him also throw the shot put and discus during the spring. Several UAPB football players play both sports, defensive linemen Arthur Thomas and Ibrahim Abdulai threw shot put and discus last spring.

On top of that, his high school coach, Antwyne Golliday, played for UAPB in the 1970s.

When he arrived, after a quick position switch, he quickly settled into his new role. He said he had to get used to the increased speed of opposing defenses and his pass-blocking technique needed fine-tuning.

“It was kind of freestyle,” he said. “But working with coach Cannon and the other offensive lineman, they showed me the proper technique and it’s been a lot better.”

Jamaal Phillips started the first four games at left tackle and Armstead made his first appearance Sept. 19 against Mississippi Valley State. Cannon said he didn’t want to rush the development of such a young player who he felt has a bright future.

By the Jackson State game Oct. 10, though, Cannon couldn’t hold him back any longer.

“We can see it as coaches,” Cannon said. “With him over at left tackle, we’re so much better.”

Cannon laughs when he recalls Armstead’s first start last month. Jackson State had two sacks that day but neither came from Terrance Banks, the defensive end lined up across from Armstead.

Cannon said Armstead told him he looked across at Banks, a senior, and said, “I’m a true freshman, and you’re letting me whoop your butt.”

When UAPB plays Grambling State at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday in Little Rock, Armstead may be facing his stiffest challenge yet. Cannon expects Grambling to put standout defensive end Christian Anthony opposite Armstead.

Anthony has 57 tackles, 11 for loss, and 5 sacks so far this season. He also leads Grambling with four interceptions, two of which have been returned for touchdowns.

It’s a matchup Cannon is eager to see: A current standout in the Southwestern Athletic Conference against one who he expects will evolve similarly.

“It will tell you a whole lot about Armstead, if he goes up there and competes and holds his own against this young man,” Cannon said. “He’s going to be a real good one. And I enjoy coaching him.”

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