Inconsistent offense has plagued the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff this season, and it cost the Golden Lions on Saturday.
UAPB settled for four field goal attempts after scoring one touchdown in its 20-16 loss to Grambling State at Simmons Bank Field.
Head coach Alonzo Hampton said Saturday’s performance by the offense wasn’t good enough.
“We only had 320 yards,” Hampton said. “When you don’t score touchdowns, you’re not going to win in this league. Got a lot of good defenses, and you’ve gotta take advantage of the opportunities that are presented. Tonight, we didn’t.”
Starting quarterback Christian Peters completed 12 of 30 passes for 204 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. It was his second three-interception game of the season after doing the same against Lincoln (Calif.). On both occasions, all three were thrown in the first half.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
UAPB (3-4, 1-2 SWAC) has seemingly alternated between good and bad passing performances this season. Peters threw for 228 yards against Central Arkansas, then threw three interceptions the next week. He bounced back with a season-high 323 yards in the win against Alcorn State, but Texas Southern held him to 116 a week later.
All five rostered quarterbacks combined to throw for 273 yards and three touchdowns last week against Westgate Christian prior to Saturday’s performance.
Peters took responsibility on Saturday, saying he must play better.
“Gotta know my players, know where they’re going to be, know where I need to put the ball, put it in the right spot,” Peters said. “I didn’t put us in a position to win a game today, that’s all.”
Saturday’s first interception came on the Golden Lions’ second possession of the game. They reached the Tigers’ 15-yard line, and Peters threw the ball to wide receiver Kareem Burke on third down. Burke bobbled the pass, allowing GSU cornerback Blake Davis to snatch it out of the air at the Tigers’ 8-yard line. It was one of several costly drops by UAPB receivers.
Grambling (4-3, 1-2) defensive back Markel Linzer made the other two interceptions on back-to-back drives in the second quarter. Linzer entered the week in a six-way tie for first in the SWAC with two interceptions in his prior five games this season.
Hampton said after the game he needed time to review the game film before he could say in detail what went wrong for the passing offense.
The game was delayed for just over two hours early in the fourth quarter due to lightning in the area. After play resumed, UAPB had a first down at the GSU 13-yard line, trailing 14-7. Running back Jaylen Jennings carried the ball on three straight plays, and Grambling held him to 4 yards on those runs, forcing a UAPB field goal.
The UAPB defense recovered Tiger fumbles on each of Grambling’s next two drives. The Golden Lions managed one first down on the two resulting drives and settled for more field goals. It gave UAPB a 16-14 lead, but the Golden Lions could have led by as much as 28-14 had they reached the end zone on those short fields.
Grambling took advantage by scoring the game-winning touchdown on its next drive, a 3-yard run by running back Tre Bradford with 1:42 remaining.
The Golden Lions finished with 116 rushing yards, their fewest since the loss to UCA in week two. Peters led with 84 yards, but running back Jaylen Jennings was held to 33 yards on 17 carries. Four other players attempted one run each but did not gain yardage.
Hampton said this loss hurt, but the reaction from the players after the game showed the third-year coach something he hasn’t seen from his players after any prior loss.
“Tonight was the first time I’ve seen guys cry in the locker room, because now, they’re starting to believe what I’ve been saying,” Hampton said. Go out there and listen to your coaches and do what you’re supposed to do.”