LITTLE ROCK Saturday night's game was a bittersweet moment for University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach Monte Coleman.
It wasn't until after he saw his Golden Lions fall 41-17 to the University of Central Arkansas the former Bear standout really thought about playing his alma mater. With the way the game started, there was some hope of an upset victory.
"We came out ready to play football," said Coleman, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Washington Redskins. "I thought we had a great first half. We came out in the second half and made too many mistakes.
"The emotion didn't really hit me until I was talking to some of the guys on the field after the game."
UAPB had its ground game going strong in the first half, totalling 185 yards. Mickey Dean led that charge with 103 of his own, including a 49-yard touchdown run to help give the Lions their first leads of the season, 3-0 and 10-7.
UCA, though, took a 17-10 lead into halftime. From there, the UCA Hall of Fame inductee didn't see as much to be proud of.
"We shot ourselves in the foot in the second half," Coleman said. "We gave them too many chances."
The Bears fared much better after halftime than a shaky start. In fact, UCA only had 37 yards of offense in the first quarter before finishing with 226 by halftime.
It didn't help matters that the Bear defense had trouble making tackles.
"They've got some good backs," UCA coach Clint Conque aid. "We just did a poor job of tackling. Give their (offensive) line some credit, though."
UAPB had three fumbles, including two lost, in the second half. That set the tone for a second half dominated by the Bears.
"Anytime you give a good team like UCA chances, it's going to hurt you," Coleman said. "They've got a powerhouse offense, and they'll score when you give them opportunities."
Led by heralded quarterback Nathan Brown, the Bear offense has been able to post lofty numbers. That's not the only individual Coleman attributed UCA's success to.
"Coach Conque is a great a football coach," Coleman said. "He does a great job. I would have loved to have played for him."
The respect doesn't just lie with the UAPB head man.
"There's a tremendous amount of respect for him," Conque said. "He's one of the greats here. He's certainly a big part of our program."
But Coleman didn't get caught up in that. While he may be proud of his past, the objective is still the same no matter the opponent.
"I still would have liked to have beaten them," Coleman said.
