Defense and special teams sparked the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offense in a dominant win against Southern University on Saturday.
The Golden Lions routed Southern 40-21 at Simmons Bank Field in Pine Bluff, ending a four-game losing streak to the Jaguars.
UAPB (4-5, 2-3 SWAC) scored the most points it has against a Division I opponent since scoring 48 against Grambling State on March 20, 2021.
Southern (1-8, 0-5) had not allowed a touchdown in its past three games against UAPB, but the Golden Lions needed just 1:13 of game time to end that streak. Southern muffed the opening kickoff, giving the Golden Lions the ball at the Jaguars’ 9-yard line. It took UAPB three plays to score, with backup quarterback DJ Stevenson taking it himself for a 2-yard touchdown.
The Golden Lions’ second touchdown came after true freshman defensive back Zay Stribling intercepted a pass in the second quarter and returned it to the Southern 20-yard line. Starting quarterback Christian Peters scored a rushing touchdown two plays later to make it 14-7 in UAPB’s favor. The defense scored a safety in the fourth quarter.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UAPB Coach Alonzo Hampton said it was good to see the offense, defense and special teams work together.
“We’ve been talking about it all year,” Hampton said. “The players know, man, we’ve been close, putting it all together. For three and a half quarters, we did it tonight. So, it was good for our players, good for our coaches, good for our fans. It’s just another step in the right direction. That was a big-time win from a team we hadn’t beat, what, but once in the past 10 years.”
Southern entered the game averaging 161.3 rushing yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry, thanks largely to LSU transfer running back Trey Holly, the SWAC’s second-leading rusher. The Golden Lion defense held the Jaguars to 74 rushing yards and 2.6 per carry. Holly finished with 66 yards, his fewest this season against an FCS opponent.
This was UAPB’s first time this season holding an FCS opponent to fewer than 152 rushing yards. The Golden Lions entered this game ranked 11th in the SWAC in run defense.
Defensive end Tylan Cole said the defense didn’t do anything different on Saturday, but it felt good to get a different result.
“We always have that dog mentality,” Cole said. “That’s just us. That’s Pine Bluff. We always have that dog mentality. … We build off each other.”
Cole, linebacker Danarius Hilliard and defensive end K’aun Green made two tackles for loss apiece. Hilliard led UAPB with 10 tackles. He and Green each had a sack.
Peters’ touchdown following Stribling’s interception was the start of a five-possession scoring streak. Senior kicker Trey Glymph kicked a 39-yard field goal on UAPB’s next drive, then the Golden Lions scored three consecutive touchdowns spanning the second and third quarters to pull away.
The Jaguars tried to mount a comeback in the second half after trailing 38-7 in the third quarter. Southern backup quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy, who had relieved starter Ashton Strother, connected with wide receiver Jalen Morris for a touchdown late in the third.
Redshirt freshman defensive back Landon Carter intercepted a tipped pass on the sideline on UAPB’s ensuing drive, and McCoy scored a rushing touchdown to cut the UAPB’s lead to 38-21 with 8:44 remaining. Both touchdowns were fourth down plays.
The Jaguars forced a punt and got the ball back at their own 4-yard line with 6:16 to play. McCoy tried to throw a pass downfield, but the UAPB defensive front swatted it back into his hands. He was wrapped up and tried to throw the ball away, but the play was illegal since he had already thrown a pass.
The penalty occurred in the end zone, resulting in a safety that ended Southern’s comeback and gave UAPB the ball back. The Golden Lions ran out the rest of the clock.
Hampton said the safety was a big play after giving up the two touchdowns.
“They scored on fourth down, and we made the mistake,” Hampton said. “It wasn’t anything they did. We knew what they were going to do, and we just had dirty eyes on two plays, and they were able to score, but these guys believe now. They’re starting to understand, like man, the coaches are putting us in great position to make plays.”
Peters completed 21 of 32 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. True freshman Ellis Stewart caught four passes, including both touchdowns, for 83 yards. Junior running back Jaylen Jenings rushed 25 times for 99 yards and a touchdown.
Southern’s two quarterbacks combined to throw for 222 yards. Each threw a touchdown pass to Morris.
