A true freshman announced his arrival to Pine Bluff in dramatic fashion Saturday night.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff cornerback Amyrion Mingo intercepted two passes in the first half of a 73-0 win against Arkansas Baptist College, and the first was highlight reel-worthy.
Just under 5 minutes into the second quarter, ABC quarterback Tyler Strickland launched a deep pass down the right sideline into the red zone. Mingo reached out with his right hand and pulled it in despite his momentum turning his body away from the ball.
“I saw the ball in the air,” Mingo said. “I didn’t even plan on going to catch it like that, but I was at an awkward angle, so I just had to go up and try to catch it with one hand, and it stuck.”
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The pick gave UAPB (1-1) the ball at its own 11-yard line. Three plays later, running back OJ Ross broke free for a 54-yard touchdown to make it 42-0.
Later in the quarter, Strickland and his receiver weren’t on the same page, and Mingo made a much easier interception near the sideline to give UAPB the ball at its own 17-yard line. Again, it took the Golden Lions three plays to turn a Mingo pick into a touchdown. Quarterback Mekhi Hagens connected with JaVonnie Gibson for a 54-yard score to make it 48-0.
UAPB head coach Alonzo Hampton said Mingo can be a dominant cornerback in the SWAC.
“He didn’t come in here and think he was a freshman,” Hampton said. “He came in here realizing he was going to earn a spot. I said it when I recruited these 19 freshmen: I recruited some really good players, and he’s one of the guys that, he’s only going to get better. The sky’s the limit.”
Most of UAPB’s high school recruiting class over the offseason came from Arkansas, but Mingo was one of the few high school recruits Hampton signed from out of state.
Mingo hails from Alexandria (La.) Senior High School. Last year, Mingo’s senior campaign, his Trojans went 8-5 and reached the third round of the playoffs.
He said he has enjoyed his time with UAPB so far, which he called a dream.
“When you playing high school football, you just want to do good in high school football to get to the next level,” Mingo said. “And now, I’m here. I’m making plays. It’s fun. I just hope to keep it going.”
Mingo wasn’t the only defensive back taking the ball away from the Buffaloes (1-1). Liam Lindo, a junior, was the first to intercept Strickland on a deep shot in the first quarter. Ross found the end zone three plays later.
In the third quarter, safety Shawn Wilson brought down a deflected pass in UAPB territory. He nearly took it all the way the other direction, but Baptist managed to track him down at the Buffaloes’ 22-yard line. The Golden Lions put back-ups in for the resulting drive, already leading 59-0.
Hampton said he was happy to see several players make those plays.
“Two of those plays was just great plays by the two guys that made them, Mingo, and then Liam Lindo,” Hampton said. “Just great plays. That’s just God-given ability, but they were in position. So, it’s good to be able to get some of those, and Mingo had another one. Just being in the right position. We always talk about playing your position, doing your job.”
The four interceptions helped UAPB post its first shutout victory since 2018.