Game Box Score
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas- Costly penalties and turnovers led to a season opening loss for the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Football team. UAPB began the afternoons’ contest in promising fashion controlling the game clock and tempo of the game with a 14-play, 57 yards opening drive which ended in a missed Carlos Reyes 32 yard field goal attempt.
The Golden Lions defense played well in the first half as they kept UAM out of the end-zone going into intermission. UAPB’s Rontrell Bailey showed signs of progress as he completed 10-of-22 passes during the half for a total of 108 yards with a long of 41 yards.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff would subsequently put the games’ only first half points on the board first as kicker Carlos Reyes connected on a 21-yard field goal at the 9:40 mark of the second quarter giving UAPB a 3-0 advantage.
The second half was a complete reversal of the first half as the Boll Weevils took full advantage of several costly Golden Lion penalties and turnovers. UAPB signal caller Bailey went down early in the half with an injury. The momentum of the ball game officially shifted in UAM’s favor after a roughing the kicker penalty gave the Boll Weevils new life after the UAPB defense had forced them to a three and out on their opening second half possession.
“Big plays plagued us in this ball game,” said UAPB Head Coach Monte Coleman. “We gave the game away with penalties and untimely mistakes.”
On the very next play after the penalty was enforced UAM quarterback Scott Buisson connected with wide receiver Jywin Ceaser over the middle for a 39-yard touchdown at the 13:26 mark of the 3rd quarter giving the Boll Weevils a lead that they would not relinquish.
Leading 7-3 Arkansas-Monticello added to its point total on with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Casey Cathcart to Ceasar at the 6:26 mark of the 3rd quarter and a 23-yard Buisson touchdown toss to Joseph Lockwood.
“Going into the game our goal was to limit there success offensively running the ball,” said Coleman. “But they were able to take advantage of some big plays throwing the ball and that’s what ultimately hurt us.”
Gvona Turner who entered the game at quarterback for Golden Lions in relief of Bailey struggled to find any type of rhythm in the pocket. A Turner pass which was intercepted by James Jackson and returned for a touchdown with 9:07 remaining in the contest gave the Boll Weevils a 27-3 cushion which would later become the games’ final score.
For the game UAM amassed a total of 300 yards (62 R, 238 P) while the Golden Lions tallied a total of 202 yards from scrimmage (47 R, 155 P).
UAPB will now get set to hosts Langston this upcoming Saturday, September 12th, at Golden Lions Stadium at 4:00 pm.