Editor’s note: This story is part of a series previewing the 12 opponents the UAPB football team will play this fall.
The first game held at Simmons Bank Field this fall will feature a non-NCAA opponent which is accustomed to playing on the road.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s third football game this season will be its home opener against Lincoln University of Oakland, Calif., at 6 p.m. on Sept. 13.
This will be one of two games for UAPB (3-9 in 2024) against a non-NCAA opponent this season. The Golden Lions defeated NAIA foe Arkansas Baptist 73-0 in last year’s home opener.
Lincoln (0-11) began its football program in 2021 and has played as an independent traveling team. It is not part of any athletic association or conference. The Oaklanders are 3-39 all time and have played every game on the road since they do not have a home field. They are 0-16 against Division I competition.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
They enter this season on a 24-game losing streak. The Oaklanders’ most recent win came against Division II Bluefield State, 20-17, on Nov. 5, 2022. Lincoln finished that season, its second as a program, 2-8. The other win was a 70-0 victory against Hilbert, a Division III opponent.
The Oaklanders’ lone victory outside the 2022 season was a 34-9 win at Willamette, another Division III school, in Lincoln’s second-ever game in 2021.
Last year, the Oaklanders’ schedule included three FCS programs. Northern Arizona defeated Lincoln 66-6. West Georgia won 88-12, and Mercyhurst won 66-0. The rest of Lincoln’s 2024 schedule included three Division II teams and four NAIA programs. Overall, the Oaklanders were outscored 585-98, an average of 53.2-8.9.
Lincoln has history with the SWAC. The Oaklanders played Texas Southern, Southern University and Florida A&M in 2023 after playing TSU in 2022. They were outscored 162-27 in those four games. The three SWAC games in 2023 were among eight games against FCS competition that season.
That trend will continue this fall. UAPB will be Lincoln’s first of five FCS opponents in 2025, including three other SWAC teams. The Oaklanders will travel to Alcorn State, Mississippi Valley State and Prairie View A&M in October.
USA Today published a story last year in which former Lincoln players and coaches talked about facing difficulties while with the program, including poor living and practice conditions.
Some of them accused the school of breaking promises made during their recruitment, though athletic director and head coach Desmond Gumbs denied the claims, telling USA Today the program had a shortage of resources but did not intentionally take advantage of athletes or endanger their safety in any way.
Entering this season, Lincoln must replace its starting quarterback, Jack Clavel, after he transferred to Waldorf, an NAIA program in Iowa. Backup Gunner Cortez, who appeared in several games and started against Savannah State, transferred to Utah Tech.
The Oaklanders used several players at running back last year. The team never rushed for more than 88 yards in a game, with no individual player rushing for more than 55 yards in a game.
At least one notable running back, Jamin Miller, is transferring out. Lincoln does not maintain an online roster, making it difficult to determine the status of the others.
The Lincoln game will be UAPB’s only home game prior to the Oct. 11 homecoming game, which will also feature a non-NCAA opponent in Westgate Christian.
The Golden Lions added the Oaklanders to the schedule after moving the Sept. 27 home game against Alcorn State to Memphis to serve as this year’s Southern Heritage Classic, leaving UAPB in need of another home game. The Golden Lions were left needing another non-conference opponent on short notice after Tennessee State pulled out of the Classic.