Little Rock, Ark. — The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions did just about all it could against a tough Southern University Jaguars team, but it wasn’t enough as Jags quarterback Herbert Edwards tied a career-high with five touchdowns en route to a 47-40 victory over the Golden Lions. UAPB running back KeShawn Williams had a fabulous game with 138 yards rushing and two touchdowns while starting quarterback LeEarl Patterson went 13-of-19 for 154 yards with one touchdown and one interception before getting injured. His replacement, former starting quarterback Brandon Duncan, had a solid output completing 8-of-17 passes for 103 yards to go along with two touchdowns and one interception.
A total of 35 points was scored in the opening quarter. The Golden Lions (2-6, 1-3 SWAC) started off hot, scoring on its first drive as Patterson threw a beautiful 33-yard touchdown pass to Paris Mack to give UAPB a 7-0 lead. Southern answered right back with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Danny Johnson to Dennis Craig on a sweep pass. Minutes later, Williams scored on a 26-yard touchdown run for UAPB. Within the same minute, Southern (5-3, 3-1 SWAC) wide receiver Jamar Washington scored on a 63-yard touchdown from Howard. Five minutes later, Howard threw another touchdown pass to Dillon Beard as the first quarter expired, giving Southern a 21-14 lead.
Southern’s Howard tossed two more touchdowns in the second quarter, extending the Jags’ lead to 20 points (34-14) at the half.
In the second half, Golden Lions’ running back Williams came out the gate and scamped into the end zone for a 28-yard rushing touchdown. Special teams kicker/punter Jamie Gillan later connected on a 24-yard field goal to cut Southern’s lead to just ten points (34-24).
In the fourth quarter, Howard threw yet another touchdown for Southern to make the score 40-24 after a missed point after touchdown (PAT) attempt. Duncan then drove UAPB down the field on the ensuing possession and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeremy Brown. UAPB then elected to go for two and was successful as Duncan rushed into the end zone, bringing the score to a one-possession game (40-32). However, Southern answered back as it had been doing all night with a 46-yard run from running back Devon Benn, nearly putting things out of reach for the Golden Lions.
With 13 seconds left to play, UAPB scored another touchdown pass as Duncan found Brown in the end zone yet again. UAPB elected to go for two once again and was successful, bringing the score to 47-40. An onside kick ensued but Southern would recover.
On the defensive end, Nijul Canada led the way for UAPB with 10 solo tackles while Tashad Charity finished with eight total tackles.
The Golden Lions football team returns to action on November 4 as it hosts Grambling State University in Pine Bluff, Ark. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at Golden Lion Stadium.
Courtesy: UAPB Athletics
