Arkansas-Pine Bluff sets 2016 schedule

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:21 p.m. ET

foxsports

(STATS) - Arkansas-Pine Bluff will have to grow up quickly to contend in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The Golden Lions, who went 2-9 last season and were last in the West Division with a 1-8 mark, return the fewest starters in the SWAC with 10 (six on offense, four on defense).

They will try to rebound in an 11-game schedule that was announced Thursday.

The schedule kicks off at Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic on Sept. 3 and includes four games at Golden Lion Stadium - against Oklahoma Panhandle State (Sept. 10) and SWAC opponents Alabama A&M (Oct. 15, Homecoming), Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 5) and Prairie View A&M (Nov. 19).

In addition, Arkansas-Pine Bluff has a home game against Jackson State that is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 24 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Coach Monte Coleman enters his ninth season with the Golden Lions and is the dean of SWAC head coaches.

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2016 Arkansas-Pine Bluff Schedule=

Sept. 3, at Tennessee State

Sept. 10, Oklahoma Panhandle State

Sept. 17, at Alcorn State*

Sept. 24, Jackson State* (tentative: Little Rock, Arkansas)

Oct. 1, at Alabama State*

Oct. 15, Alabama A&M* (Homecoming)

Oct. 22, at Southern*

Oct. 29, at Grambling State*

Nov. 5, Mississippi Valley State*

Nov. 12, at Texas Southern

Nov. 19, Prairie View A&M*

* - SWAC game