Game Box Score
ITTA, Bena, Miss.-Arkansas-Pine Bluff used an overall team effort to capture a pivotal SWAC road win against Mississippi Valley State. The Golden Lions defensive front set the tone for the game as they tallied nine sacks and continued to frustrate MVSU quarterback Paul Roberts throughout the duration of the entire contest.
“We didn’t blitz Roberts a lot,” said UAPB Head Coach Monte Coleman. “We just pinned our ears back and got after him. I was very pleased to see our defense aggressive and getting after the ball.”
The Golden Lions improved their record to 2-1 and 1-0 in conference play. UAPB’s Rontrell Bailey connected with wide receiver Ryan Farr on a 61-yard TD strike to put the game away in the second half.
Kevin Thornton, Robert Mingo, and Alex Marley led UAPB's defensive attack as the three combined for several critical stops and game changing plays. Marley led all tacklers in the game with a total of 10 stops. Thornton made a momentum changing interception in the third quarter of the contest deep in the Golden Lions red zone which kept MVSU out of the end zone.
Mingo made plays all over the field on Saturday night as he tallied a fumble recovery and an interception which brought a halt to a Mississippi Valley State drive. Offensively Arkansas-Pine Bluff continued to improve as they found consistency running and passing the ball.
“We wanted to come out and establish ourselves better,” said Coleman. “We wanted to run the football better and we wanted to throw the football better. The offense gave us the lead we needed to solidify this victory and they did the things that were necessary for us to win this game.”
The Golden Lions will face Alabama A&M on Saturday, September 26th in what will be a highly anticipated conference match-up. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. at Louis Crews Stadium located in Huntsville, Ala.