This Saturday, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will try to do something it hasn’t done in four years: score a touchdown against Southern University.
UAPB will host Southern at 2 p.m. on SWAC TV at Simmons Bank Field.
The last time UAPB (3-5, 1-3 SWAC) reached the end zone against the Jaguars was in fall 2021 during a 34-7 loss in Pine Bluff. Then-quarterback Xzavier Vaughn scored on a 13-yard run with 1:54 remaining in the game.
Since then, the Golden Lions have only scored with field goals against Southern. UAPB scored 3 points in 2022, was shutout in 2023 and finished with 9 points last year in Baton Rouge. UAPB’s last win against the Jaguars was a 33-30 victory during the Spring 2021 season.
UAPB enters this game having struggled on offense in its previous three SWAC contests. Since the 24-20 win against Alcorn State on Sept. 27, the Golden Lions have averaged 12.3 points per conference game.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The only game out of the three in which they scored multiple touchdowns was last week’s 31-14 loss at Bethune-Cookman, where one of the touchdowns came on a drive which began at the Wildcats’ 1-yard line thanks to a blocked punt.
Coach Alonzo Hampton said on Monday dropped passes plagued UAPB.
“We threw three touchdown passes in the first half, big plays that were dropped,” Hampton said. “We missed a wide-open receiver like the second play of the game, walk-in touchdown. We just gotta focus on detail. Everything matters. Everything affects everything. At times, we’re not doing the things that’s necessary to get wins. Man, we’re so close, but yet so far.”
Wide receivers D’Avery Robinson and Chris Hicks Jr. each dropped deep passes inside the 10-yard line that could have been touchdowns if caught. Starting quarterback Christian Peters overthrew Ellis Stewart twice when he was open for a touchdown and underthrew a deep shot to Kareem Burke, which allowed Bethune-Cookman safety Jaden Davis to catch up and break up the pass.
A better throw to Burke could have given UAPB an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The Robinson drop and both Stewart misses each could have tied the game in the second. Hicks’ drop came in the fourth quarter when the game was likely already out of hand.
Peters connected with his receiver on one noteworthy deep shot, a 34-yard touchdown pass to Robinson in the third quarter that cut the deficit at the time to 21-14.
Hampton said these plays and others show how close UAPB has been to winning games, but the Golden Lions must capitalize on their opportunities.
“We gotta coach better,” Hampton said. “Too many times, guys, they miss a hole that can extend a drive. Too many times, just open running backs and receivers not catching the ball, not helping the quarterback out. Sometimes, quarterback’s just gotta stay in the pocket. Man, we got some guys that can run, and they’re open, but they gotta catch the ball when they’re open, as well.”
There is some good news for UAPB. Southern (1-7, 0-4) has had some stout defenses in recent years, but that hasn’t been the case this season.
The Jaguars are allowing 37 points per game, the most in the SWAC. They rank 11th in total defense, 10th in rushing defense and last in passing defense. They are the only SWAC defense without an interception this season.
For comparison, Southern’s defense finished last season ranked third in scoring, third in total defense, fifth in rushing defense and first in passing defense.
This stark drop in defensive performance has seen the Jaguars plummet from winning the SWAC West Division last season to entering this week’s contest in last place, one of two SWAC teams without a conference win. Their only win this season was a 34-29 win at Mississippi Valley State that wasn’t part of their conference schedule.
Southern has not held any opponent to fewer than 24 points this season. Two of their past three opponents, Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman, have scored season highs against Southern. Florida A&M rushed for 260 yards and threw for 287 last week in a 43-35 win in Baton Rouge.
The star for Southern’s defense remains senior defensive end Ckelby Givens, who has anchored the Jaguars’ defense for the past three seasons. He leads the SWAC in sacks with 7.5 and tackles for loss with 14.