2006 SWAC FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
“COUNTDOWN TO JUDGEMENT DAY”
November 20, 2006
Birmingham, AL – The battle lines have been drawn and the duel is set for the 2006 edition of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Football Championship game. The Golden Lions of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff will try to extend their winning streak into the post season against the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M University. The game will be held on Saturday, December 16 at 1 p.m. at Legion Field
Alabama A&M comes into this game with an 8-3 overall record, 6-3 in the SWAC. This is the Bulldogs’ second consecutive trip to the championship game and fourth overall in game’s eight-year history. The Bulldogs lead the conference in scoring defense (allowing only 19.5 ppg.) and in first downs (209) while the program is second overall in total offense (346.2 ypg.)
Senior quarterback Kelcy Luke has completed 159-of-279 passes for 1,724 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also leads the team in scoring with 50 points. Senior running back Ta’Mar Scott leads in rushing with 142 attempts for 682 yards and seven TDs. The defense is anchored by senior linebacker Johnny Baldwin. Baldwin leads AAMU and is second in the conference with 99 tackles.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff boasts an 8-3 record, 7-2 in conference play. This will be UAPB’s first trip to the championship game. The Lions have won seven games in a row to get to this point. The Golden Lions lead the SWAC in fourth-down conversion (7-of-8 for 87.5 pct.) and PAT kicking (35-of-37 made for .946 pct.), and pass efficiency (167.1). They are also second in scoring offense (29.1 ppg.) and pass offense (200.6 ypg.) Senior signal caller Chris Wallace is 123-199-7 for 1,978 yards and 19 touchdowns. Wallace also leads the conference in pass efficiency (169.8). Sophomore running back Martell Mallet leads the SWAC and UAPB in rushing, with 223 carries for 1104 yards and 14 TDs. On the defensive side, senior linebacker Justin Bass leads the Lions with 87 tackles and is ranked 5th overall in the conference.
Earlier this season, the Golden Lions edged out the Bulldogs 23-21 in regular season play. During the October 21st match-up, Alabama A&M found themselves down 23-7 with 12 minutes remaining in regulation. The Bulldogs’s Kelcy Luke engineered two drives – the first ending with a 48-yard pass from Luke to Trevis O’Neal and the second culminating with Luke scampering seven yards for the score. The Bulldogs went for the two-point conversion following both touchdowns: successful on the first but stifled on the second.
The winner will be crowned SWAC football champion for first time in the game’s history. The excitement level will be high, so this isn’t a game you want to miss.
SWAC Championship Week kicks off on Wednesday, December 13 with the Welcome Reception (invitation only) at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute at 6 p.m. On Thursday, December 14, the Taste of SWAC Kick-off Party will be held at 7 p.m. at The Station. Music will by provided by DJ Chris Coleman of 98.7 KISS FM (Birmingham), and admission is $10.
The SWAC Press Conference will be held on December 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Birmingham Ballroom, followed by the SWAC Team Luncheon (invitation only) at 11:30 a.m. Later in the evening, the SWAC Alumni Association Reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel. Russell Athletic will host the first ever SWAC Legend’s Lounge at 6:30 p.m. Scheduled to appear are SWAC Legends Doug Williams, Robert Brazile, Vernon Perry, John Stallworth, Eddie Robinson, Jr. and more. Immediately following the lounge is the Hall of Fame Gala at 7 p.m., with a concert featuring the Zapp Band. Tickets are $35 for regular admission, $50 for the lounge and gala.
The weekend concludes with the 8th SWAC Championship Game at Birmingham’s Legion Field (located on Greymont Avenue). Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 day of the event.
For game tickets and other information, contact the SWAC Office at 205-251-7573 or Ticketmaster
For ancillary event tickets, contact the SWAC Finance Department at 205-251-7573.
Posted By: Jehan Bunch
Monday, December 4th 2006 at 2:50PM
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