Golden Lions will play six home games in 2024

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff released its complete 2024 football schedule Thursday, two days after the Southwestern Athletic Conference announced UAPB’s conference matchups.

The Golden Lions have added Arkansas Baptist College, which plays in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, to the schedule, rounding out a 12-game slate with three in-state opponents and six home games at Simmons Bank Field.

UAPB will open the season at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock against the University of Arkansas on Aug. 31. This will be the second meeting between the Golden Lions and Razorbacks after Arkansas won 45-3 on Oct. 23, 2021, also in Little Rock.

The home opener will be the following week, Sept. 7, against Arkansas Baptist. This will be UAPB’s first matchup with ABC after the Buffaloes transitioned from a two-year to a four-year institution and joined the NAIA in 2021.

Sept. 14, the Golden Lions will make their second straight trip to Memphis to face Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic. TSU won last year’s game, 24-14, the first Classic since 1993 not featuring Jackson State as TSU’s opponent.

UAPB will round out non-conference play with a second home game Sept. 21 against Central Arkansas in Pine Bluff. UCA previously defeated UAPB 45-23 on Sept. 18, 2021, in Conway.

The Golden Lions will have their bye week the next week before beginning SWAC play Oct. 5 at Alcorn State. The first conference home game is Oct. 12 against Prairie View A&M, and homecoming is Oct. 26 against Mississippi Valley State.