image via UAPB Athletics
Arkansas-Pine Bluff leaned on its running game and timely defensive stops to defeat Florida A&M, 31-28, on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida.
The Golden Lions (4-3, 2-2 SWAC) rushed for 211 yards and scored three touchdowns on the ground to overcome a Florida A&M offense that generated 394 total yards. The Rattlers (2-6, 1-3 SWAC) threw for 319 yards but could not turn their passing advantage into a victory.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff controlled the ball for 33 minutes and 44 seconds and converted eight of its 14 third-down opportunities. Florida A&M managed just three conversions on 12 third-down attempts, a difference that helped the Golden Lions sustain drives and control the game’s tempo.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Takes Control in the Third Quarter
Arkansas-Pine Bluff opened the scoring when Jaylen Jennings ran for a two-yard touchdown with 9:19 remaining in the first quarter. Trey Glymph’s extra point gave the Golden Lions a 7-0 lead.
Florida A&M answered with a 23-yard field goal by Gabriel Caison to cut the deficit to 7-3 before the end of the first quarter.
Caison added a 36-yard field goal early in the second quarter, and the Rattlers took their first lead when quarterback Armond Parker broke free for a 37-yard rushing touchdown. Caison’s extra point put Florida A&M ahead 13-7 with 9:16 left in the half.
The Golden Lions responded with a 10-play, 77-yard drive that ended with Jalen Williams scoring on a five-yard run. Glymph’s extra point restored Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s lead at 14-13 with 1:04 remaining before halftime.
Florida A&M struck quickly to open the third quarter. Parker connected with Corey Petty for a 17-yard touchdown pass just 18 seconds into the period, giving the Rattlers a 19-14 advantage. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered with two touchdowns of its own. Za’Marion Webber capped an 11-play, 84-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run to put the Golden Lions back in front, 21-19.
Later in the quarter, quarterback Jack Schierholz connected with Demetric Whitlock Jr. for a 14-yard touchdown. Glymph’s kick extended the lead to 28-19 with 4:25 remaining in the third quarter.
The Golden Lions entered the fourth quarter with a nine-point advantage and ultimately made those points stand up.
Fourth-Quarter Rally Falls Short for Florida A&M
Florida A&M continued to battle in the fourth quarter. Caison converted a 43-yard field goal with 12:19 remaining, bringing the Rattlers within six points at 28-22.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff answered with a crucial scoring drive. Glymph connected on a 39-yard field goal with 3:36 remaining to extend the Golden Lions’ lead to 31-22.
The Rattlers needed just one play to respond.
Parker found Kieren Jackson for a 61-yard touchdown pass with 3:19 left, cutting the deficit to 31-28. Florida A&M could not convert the extra point, leaving the Rattlers three points behind.
Despite the late touchdown, Arkansas-Pine Bluff maintained its advantage and secured the 31-28 road victory.
Jalen Williams, Za’Marion Webber Lead the Ground Attack
Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s rushing production proved decisive, with the Golden Lions finishing with 211 yards on 46 attempts.
Williams led the team with 66 rushing yards on nine carries, averaging 7.3 yards per attempt. He also scored a rushing touchdown and completed five of seven passes for 60 yards, contributing in both phases of the offense.
Webber added 60 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while Jennings finished with 42 rushing yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts.
Schierholz completed eight of 12 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. Whitlock Jr. was his top receiving target, catching four passes for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Armond Parker Delivers Despite Florida A&M’s Loss
Parker provided the engine for Florida A&M’s offense, completing 23 of 37 passes for 319 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown, accounting for three total touchdowns.
Jackson delivered the Rattlers’ biggest passing play, finishing with two catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. His 61-yard score in the fourth quarter gave Florida A&M a late opportunity to pull even.
Petty added seven receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown, while Caison converted three of four field-goal attempts, including kicks from 23, 36 and 43 yards.
Florida A&M outgained Arkansas-Pine Bluff 394-351 and averaged 6.4 yards per play compared with the Golden Lions’ 5.4. However, the Rattlers struggled to sustain drives on third down and were held scoreless on one of their three fourth-down conversion attempts.
Defensive Pressure Helps Arkansas-Pine Bluff Close It Out
The Golden Lions recorded three sacks and limited Florida A&M’s rushing attack to 75 net yards on 23 attempts.
Tylan Cole led the defensive pressure with five total tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks for 15 yards. Robert Lewis added a sack, while the defense also recovered from Florida A&M’s late explosive touchdown to preserve the win.
Florida A&M linebacker Jaiden Roper led all defenders with 13 total tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss.
The Golden Lions also protected the ball more effectively, losing one fumble compared with none lost by Florida A&M despite the Rattlers’ two total fumbles. Neither team threw an interception.
Final Score and Team Statistics
| Statistic | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | Florida A&M |
| Final score | 31 | 28 |
| Total offense | 351 yards | 394 yards |
| Rushing yards | 211 | 75 |
| Passing yards | 140 | 319 |
| First downs | 19 | 18 |
| Third-down conversions | 8-of-14 | 3-of-12 |
| Time of possession | 33:44 | 26:16 |
| Sacks | 3 | 0 |
| Turnovers lost | 1 | 0 |
| Field goals | 1-of-1 | 3-of-4 |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s ability to run the football, sustain drives and finish key possessions proved decisive in a competitive SWAC matchup. Florida A&M’s passing attack produced several explosive plays, including the late 61-yard touchdown, but the Golden Lions did enough to leave Tallahassee with the victory.
