Everyone at Simmons Bank Field held their collective breaths as Prairie View A&M quarterback Jaden Johnson hurled a prayer down the field on the game’s final play.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff defensive back Quentin Sterling knocked the ball to the ground, sparking celebrations as UAPB defeated the Panthers 21-17 late Friday night, the Golden Lions’ first conference win at home since 2021.
Sterling said he made the play by knowing the situation.
“I could have easily tried to jump, get an interception,” Sterling said. “But knowing the situation, I seen multiple games where people try to pick it off. The ball get tipped up, and they catch it, score a touchdown. So, I just knew, just bat it down. Game over. Celebrate.”
UAPB (2-4, 1-1 SWAC) had a chance to ice the game in the final minute when the Golden Lions elected to go for it on fourth down and inches near the Prairie View 10-yard line. The officials marked quarterback Mekhi Hagens short on the sideline, giving the Panthers the football with 40.7 seconds to play.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Prairie View A&M (2-3, 1-3) reached its own 39-yard line but no further. An ineligible man downfield penalty backed the Panthers up to their own 34 for a third down and 15. Johnson’s pass over the middle was knocked away, setting up fourth down with 2.9 seconds remaining.
Johnson flung the ball downfield, but didn’t get it near the goal line. Sterling broke up the pass to end the game.
That breakup was one of several great plays by the UAPB defense, which had its best performance of the season. Junior defensive back Liam Lindo intercepted a pass, while sophomore defensive lineman Jason Gwam and junior linebacker Mike Riley combined for a fourth-down sack in the fourth quarter.
The Golden Lions held the Panthers to 365 total yards, by far the fewest any Division I opponent has accumulated against UAPB this year. Prairie View also became the first Division I team not to reach 100 rushing yards against UAPB, finishing with 97.
UAPB coach Alonzo Hampton said everyone has been tough on the defensive players, but he knew they were close to a breakthrough.
“Man, they been wearing us out,” Hampton said. “You know how people be talking. ‘Hey man, if they get a defense, they can win some games.’ Well, you know what? I told them, man, you just gotta put the blinders on. This is a process, and I told everybody when I recruited these 19 freshmen, we got a good football team, and we’re going to continue to get better.”
The Golden Lions found themselves trailing early. After failing to pick up a first down on their opening drive, the snap sailed over punter Jeremy Baker’s head for a safety. On the ensuing possession, Johnson connected with receiver Jeremiah Ratliff for a touchdown. The Panthers’ 2-point try failed, but they nonetheless led 8-0.
UAPB had to again quickly punt on its second possession, but the Lions broke through on their third drive. Hagens went deep for sophomore receiver JaVonnie Gibson for a 59-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 8-7.
Sophomore running back BJ Curry scored rushing touchdowns on UAPB’s first two drives of the second quarter, and UAPB led the rest of the night.
Curry said he followed running backs coach Tom Manley’s advice to score those two touchdowns.
“He stressed to us, like, don’t look for the home run,” Curry said. “Make one cut and get vertical. So, I did that. We ran similar plays on both touchdowns, and it came out the same way. Just go run, low pad level.”
Hagens completed 14 of 26 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown. Gibson caught nine passes for 183 yards and a score, while Kristian Gammage caught four passes for 60 yards.
Curry finished with 46 yards on 14 carries, while freshman Za’Marion Webber carried the ball nine times for 44 yards. Hagens rushed 12 times for 25 yards.
Prairie View didn’t reach the end zone again after its opening drive. Senior kicker Guillermo Garcia made three of four field goal attempts, making kicks of 50, 54 and 49 yards after missing his first kick from 47 yards. His first two kicks hit the crossbar, with the first bouncing out and the second bouncing through the uprights.
Garcia’s 49-yard kick in the third quarter resulted in the only points either team scored in the second half.
Johnson completed 25 of 37 passes for 268 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He completed passes to 12 Panthers.
This win was UAPB’s first SWAC victory at home since defeating Grambling State 35-26 on Nov. 6, 2021. The Golden Lions travel to Grambling next week.