LITTLE ROCK – The banners at the top of the stands in War Memorial Stadium read “Where miracles happen,” but there were no miracles Thursday night.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff fell 70-0 to Arkansas in the season opener for both teams.
UAPB head coach Alonzo Hampton said the Golden Lions knew they were in for a challenge.
“I really thought we’d be able to score a couple times,” Hampton said. “That’s the only frustrating part, but we knew what we was faced with. … We’ll bounce back next week.”
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green completed 16 of 23 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns while rushing six times for 88 yards and a score, all in one half of play. Ja’Quinden Jackson led the Hogs in rushing with eight carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UAPB quarterback Mekhi Hagens completed 11 of 23 passes for 123 yards. Arkansas-Monticello transfer Kristian Gammage was his top target, collecting three catches for 21 yards. JaVonnie Gibson, another UAM transfer, caught two passes for 32 yards, and Ohio transfer Aramoni Rhone caught two passes for 34 yards.
Hampton said UAPB (0-1) made some mistakes, but he thinks Hagens mostly played well.
“Mekhi, he threw a couple of balls that should have been touchdowns,” Hampton said. “Sometimes, I think when you’re playing a superior opponent, he may have been pressing just a little bit. Just kinda take what they give you. But overall, I thought Mekhi did a good job of running the offense.”
Arkansas (1-0) won the coin toss and elected to receive, giving new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino the football in his first game back with the Razorbacks. He dialed up a deep pass on the first play, and though it fell incomplete, it showed an aggressive mindset the Hogs would maintain throughout the first half.
A big lead late in the first half didn’t prevent the Razorbacks from calling timeouts to get one more score before the break. On that drive, UAPB defensive end Anas Luqman overcame a double team to get his hands on Green, but Green shed the near-sack and turned the play into a 36-yard touchdown to make it 49-0 at halftime.
The closest UAPB came to scoring in the first half came late in the first quarter. Hagens ran to the sideline and fired off a pass toward Daemon Dawkins, who pulled it down and ran into the end zone. However, the officials ruled Hagens had stepped out of bounds before the throw, turning a touchdown into a sack and forcing the Golden Lions to punt.
The teams agreed to a shortened second half, playing 10-minute quarters. Arkansas kept its defensive starters in for one more drive but pulled Green for backup quarterback Malachi Singleton for its first offensive possession of the second half. The Hogs went to third-stringer KJ Jackson late in the fourth quarter.
Hampton said he was disappointed in the final score, but the Golden Lions just need to put this game behind them.
“They scored 70, but they ain’t gonna be able to take any of those 70 into the SEC,” Hampton said. “We scored 0. We can’t take any of them into the SWAC. So, the game is what it is. We’ll go watch the film. We’ll take the good and praise that. The bad, and we’ll coach that up. Mentally, our guys will be ready for the first home game.”
Arkansas running back Ja’Quinden Jackson rushes 46 yards for a touchdown as linebacker Jaden Kelly (0) and defensive lineman Anas Luqman (7) chase him in the first quarter Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Little Rock. Also in the play is Arkanas wide receiver Jordan Anthony. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
UAPB running back Oshawn Ross turns the corner as Arkansas linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. pursues him in the first quarter Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Little Rock. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Shea Yurkunas of UAPB punts the ball in the first quarter against Arkansas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Little Rock. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
UAPB Coach Alonzo Hampton reacts to his bench during a timeout in the first quarter against Arkansas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Arkansas running back Rodney Hill is wrapped up in tackle by UAPB players in the first quarter Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Little Rock. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
Arkansas running back Braylen Russell carries the ball against UAPB in the first quarter Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Little Rock. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)
UAPB running back Oshawn Ross is tackled forward by Arkansas linebacker Brad Spence in the first quarter Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Little Rock. (Pine Bluff Commercial/I.C. Murrell)