Golden Lions finalize schedule for 2025 football season

After some shuffling and last-minute adjustments, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football team finalized its 2025 schedule Wednesday.

UAPB added a home game on Sept. 13 against Lincoln University from Oakland, Calif., filling the void created by moving the Southern Heritage Classic from that date to Sept. 27.

The Oaklanders are an unaffiliated traveling team with no home stadium. Since the program’s founding in 2021, Lincoln has played four SWAC opponents, most recently Florida A&M on Nov. 11, 2023. The Oaklanders also played Southern and Texas Southern that year.

The fledgling program went 0-23 the past two seasons, last winning a game on Nov. 5, 2022, against NCAA Division II opponent Bluefield State of West Virginia.

The Lincoln game will be UAPB’s home opener after beginning the season with road games at Texas Tech and Central Arkansas. A bye week will follow before SWAC play begins in the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis against Alcorn State.

In addition to its SWAC West Division opponents, UAPB draws Florida A&M, Alabama State and Bethune-Cookman out of the East. FAMU will come to Pine Bluff, while the Golden Lions travel to Alabama State and Bethune.

UAPB’s homecoming game will be against Westgate Christian from Houston on Oct. 11.

The Golden Lions’ schedule rounds out with five home games, six road games and one neutral site affair. In addition to Lincoln and Westgate, UAPB will host Grambling State, FAMU and Southern at Simmons Bank Field.

UAPB is entering its third season under head coach Alonzo Hampton and is looking to improve on last year’s 3-9 overall record and 2-6 SWAC performance.