GRAMBLING, La. — As improved as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff defense has been in recent weeks, one of last year’s demons reemerged for one crucial play.
A blown coverage in the third quarter helped Grambling State keep UAPB at bay in a 31-21 Tigers win at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Grambling (4-3, 1-2 SWAC) led 17-14 but faced third down and seven at its own 29-yard line. UAPB didn’t cover tight end Marquis Harris in the seam, and he got past the defense to catch a 71-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Myles Crawley, restoring GSU’s 10-point lead.
UAPB (2-5, 1-2) Coach Alonzo Hampton said he wasn’t happy about that play.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“It’s frustrating, because, and I hate to say any one play, but man, that’s what football boils down to,” Hampton said. “One or two plays in the game really makes a difference, so it’s just frustrating. And our kids, man, they work so hard. Now, we’ll continue to harp on those things, and they’ll understand when we say this stuff, we mean business.”
Crawley finished the day with 170 passing yards. Without that play, the Golden Lions’ defense may have held him to around 100 yards depending on how the rest of the game played out.
UAPB went on to score on its next drive to make it a 4-point game again, but Mekhi Hagens’ 3-yard pass to tight end Jaxson Isaac might have given the Golden Lions the lead had they covered Harris on the previous drive.
Busted coverages of that nature happened several times last season, when UAPB went 2-9 with multiple blowout losses. They had been far less common this season.
Other than that breakdown in coverage, UAPB’s defense has continued to improve. After giving up 41 points to Tennessee State and 56 to then-No. 8 Central Arkansas in non-conference play, the Golden Lions have limited their three SWAC opponents.
Alcorn State finished with 38 points, though UAPB’s defense played a strong first half and held the Braves to 14 at halftime. The real improvement has come since, holding Prairie A&M to 17 and Grambling to 31, with GSU’s last touchdown coming after UAPB was forced to go for a fourth down at its own 9-yard line.
Linebacker Jaden Kelly said UAPB’s biggest improvement has been against the run.
“We had a big meeting as a defensive unit just to figure out, like, what’s the problem?” Kelly said. “But we just started to come closer, and you see that (Prairie View) game, we found ourself. … If the front seven can’t stop the run, you’re not gonna have a fun time on Saturday.”
After giving up 309 rushing yards to UCA and 311 to Alcorn, UAPB held Prairie View to 97 before allowing 135 to Grambling on Saturday.
Webber, Isaac step up
On offense, two newcomers had their biggest games yet on Saturday.
Redshirt freshman running back Za’Marion Webber rushed for a career-high 93 yards to lead UAPB. His previous high was 60 yards against Arkansas Baptist. Against Division I opposition, his best had been 44 yards against Prairie View.
Hampton said Webber, a Louisiana native and Louisiana-Monroe transfer, is starting to get a better grasp on the offense.
“We just gotta get him the ball a little bit more,” Hampton said. “I was happy for him to be able to come back in this state and do what he’s doing. We’d love to have the (win), but happy for him, and now we can continue to move forward as guys continue to get in the spirit of understanding our offense.”
At tight end, sophomore Jaxson Isaac entered Saturday with one 9-yard catch all season, which came in the season opener against Arkansas.
Isaac took most of the snaps at tight end against Grambling and caught seven passes for 24 yards and a touchdown.
No penalties until fourth quarter
UAPB didn’t commit a penalty until the fourth quarter. A flag was thrown early in the fourth for targeting, but it was overturned on review.
The perfect streak finally ended with 11:58 remaining when UAPB committed a false start at its own 2-yard line.
That was one of three false starts on that drive, the third of which occurred on fourth down when UAPB was lined up to go for it at the Tigers’ 49-yard line. UAPB committed a fourth false start on its next drive, also on fourth down.
Hampton said some players panicked in the fourth.
“That’s where you gotta grow up as a football team,” Hampton said. “Don’t let the moment make you do something that you’re not known to do, accustomed to do. We played really well for three quarters. Even though they were winning, we were only one play away. Then we get in the fourth quarter, and we have guys start panicking, trying to do too much.”
Those four infractions were UAPB’s only penalties all game. GSU committed nine penalties for 105 yards.