For the second straight week, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s offense scored early but couldn’t maintain its success.
UAPB scored on its first two possessions at Simmons Bank Field on Saturday, but the Golden Lions didn’t score again until the fourth quarter in a 56-17 loss to Central Arkansas.
UAPB (1-3) received the opening kickoff and embarked on a 15-play drive before kicker Trey Glymph gave UAPB an early lead with a 33-yard field goal. UCA quickly took a 7-3 lead on its first play from scrimmage, but the Golden Lions responded.
Junior quarterback Mekhi Hagens connected with Kristian Gammage for a 53-yard gain deep into UCA territory. After a penalty nullified a touchdown pass on the next play, Hagens connected with Aramoni Rhone for a 26-yard score to put the Golden Lions back in front, 10-7.
Hagens said the early offensive success came from following the game plan.
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“Coming out and doing what our coach told us to do,” Hagens said. “He gave us openings during the walk-through, so that’s what we ran. We executed those two drives.”
No. 8 UCA (3-1) retook the lead with a seven-play drive and led the rest of the game. UAPB didn’t score again until 3:12 remained in the game, when Hagens and Rhone connected again to cap off an eight-play drive.
In between those two touchdown drives, UAPB punted five times and turned the ball over once. The first punt came after a seven-play drive, but none of the following drives lasted longer than five plays until the late score in the fourth quarter.
UAPB coach Alonzo Hampton said the Golden Lions are putting themselves behind the chains, stalling their drives.
“The first two drives, we were locked in,” Hampton said. “And then, what started happening? We started getting holding penalties. You start getting illegal formations, guys not paying attention to the formation. Guys not running the correct route, then we have drops. We had multiple drops tonight, man. It was so frustrating.”
This was reminiscent of the previous game, a 41-28 loss to Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic. In that game, UAPB took a 7-0 lead after receiving the opening kickoff but didn’t pick up a first down on any of its next three possessions.
Hampton said UAPB was missing around 10 players entering this game. Most notably, the Golden Lions’ top two rushers, Johness Davis and OJ Ross, did not play. Both were wearing knee braces on the sideline.
In their stead, Louisiana-Monroe transfer Za’Marion Webber started at running back. He gained 13 yards in six carries. Hagens gained 25 yards on 12 carries. BJ Curry got in the game late against UCA’s backups and rushed for 25 yards on five carries.
Hampton said UAPB didn’t go away from running the ball because of the injuries. Rather, the game situations dictated the play selection.
“I wanted to give (Webber) 20 touches and see how many yards he could get,” Hampton said. “But again, if they load the box, he’s not going to be able to get it. We don’t really talk about who’s injured, and we really don’t care. I care about it for the kids, because they work so hard, but at the end of the day, next man up.”
Hagens completed 15 of 35 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
One positive sign for the offense came in pass protection. Although UCA sacked Hagens three times, that was a far cry from the seven sacks Tennessee State recorded.
The Bears’ star defensive end, David Walker, entered the game with 5.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss through UCA’s first three games. UAPB held him to one tackle and one pass breakup.
Hampton said the offensive line did a great job on Walker.
“I didn’t even really know that he was playing,” Hampton said. “Our O-line did a good job. We just had too many holding penalties. When Mekhi’s scrambling, they gotta realize just to let the guy go. So, I give our O-line a good job of containing (Walker).”