Saturday’s homecoming opponent offered little resistance for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
The Golden Lions cruised past Westgate Christian 79-10 for their second home win at Simmons Bank Field this season.
UAPB (3-3) scored in all three phases. Junior wide receiver Kareem Burke returned a punt for a touchdown, true freshman Bryant Sanchez returned a kickoff for a touchdown, and senior defensive back Kristian Gammage returned an interception for a touchdown. Graduate student defensive back Kyle Knox blocked a punt for a safety.
The Golden Lions’ offense scored touchdowns on each of its first six possessions, three passing and three rushing. UAPB added two rushing touchdowns in the second half, which was played as two 8-minute quarters after UAPB took a 51-10 lead into halftime.
UAPB rotated through all five of its quarterbacks during this game, and head coach Alonzo Hampton said they each did as they were coached.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“(They) delivered the ball when it was time,” Hampton said. “I think we had one interception. He should have threw it to another guy, Tysan (Robbins) did. He’d like to have that one back, but for the most part, he made some great throws to some open guys. That’s really what it’s about, being able to make some catches, things of that nature. Get us in the right plays.”
Starting quarterback Christian Peters played UAPB’s first two offensive possessions. He completed 2 of 2 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown, which came on a 34-yard shot to D’Avery Robinson on the first drive.
Senior backup DJ Stevenson also completed 2 of 2 passes, finishing with 40 yards and a touchdown. Redshirt senior Tysan Robbins finished out the first half completing 9 of 13 passes for 134 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Stevenson and Robbins each rushed for touchdowns.
Redshirt freshman and Pine Bluff native Landon Holcomb played UAPB’s only drive of the abbreviated third quarter, completing 2 of 2 passes for 24 yards.
True freshman Garrison Davis took over in the fourth, completing 1 of 2 passes for 9 yards. He ran for 23 yards and a touchdown. The five quarterbacks combined for 273 passing yards.
Robinson, a former walk-on, led UAPB in receiving with two catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Chris Hicks Jr. followed with two catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Robinson said it wasn’t hard to adjust to the constant changes at quarterback in this game.
“It ain’t different, because you know them all,” Robinson said. “We been grinding all summer and spring and just building a connection. We just stacking days.”
UAPB outrushed Westgate 306-50. Jaylen Jennings led with five carries for 100 yards and a touchdown, followed by Sanchez with eight carries for 80 yards.
Westgate (1-6) punted after three plays on each of its first three drives. The Ravens received a first down via penalty on their fourth possession but immediately threw an interception on the next play.
The Ravens finally moved the chains themselves on their sixth possession, which started at the UAPB 34-yard line after Burke muffed a punt. Three plays later, quarterback Allen Rainey found freshman Kiram Dallas in the end zone on a 16-yard touchdown pass. The Ravens added a 47-yard field goal on their next drive which bounced off the top of the crossbar but went through the uprights.
After the field goal, Westgate had two drives last longer than three plays the rest of the game. The longest was an eight-play drive which ended with Gammage’s interception for a touchdown.
Gammage said the interception came from watching film on the sideline between drives.
“The drive before, they ran that play,” Gammage said. “My coach showed me on the film, he was like, ‘Man, you make them plays in practice. I need you to come on.’ So then, he put me back out there. He gave me another opportunity, and I just took advantage of it. Coach been prepping me all week. I just been trusting him, believing in him.”
Westgate junior wide receiver Joqwan West threw the interception after starting quarterback Allen Rainey was injured on the drive. WCU’s typical starter, Trey Williams, did not play.
Rainey completed 9 of 17 passes for 71 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions before his injury. West went 0 for 4 with two picks. That duo combined for 45 of Westgate’s 50 rushing yards.
