title image via UAPB Athletics
17
PVA
21
Winner UAP
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVA | 8 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| UAP | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
With their defense sputtering in the second half the Arkansas Pine Bluff defense showed up in the second half in helping to secure a 21-17 win over Prairie View Friday night in front of a national audience. The win was the Golden Lions’ first SWAC victory of the season and their first since defeating Texas Southern 35-34 in the 2023 season finale.
Prairie View’s defense got the scoring going getting a safety on the first possession of the game to take a 2-0 lead. Taking advantage of the ensuing possession as a result of the safety, Prairie View marched 62 yards in 7 plays that ended in a touchdown when quarterback Jaden Johnson found Jeremiah Ratliff from 16 yards out. The two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 8-0.
Although they may have been reeling, UAPB was able to settle down, as their defense was able to stop the bleeding. Their offense was able to get on track, embarking on a 9-play, 86-yard drive that came to an explosive conclusion when Mekhi Hagens connected with JaVonnie Gibson on a 59-yard strike, that with the extra point drew the Golden Lions to within a single point of the Panthers at 8-7.
Arkansas Pine Bluff would record the contest’s next score halfway through the second quarter when BJ Curry was able to get in from 8 yards out to put UAPB out in front 14-8. Prairie View was able to finally respond on their subsequent possession when Guillermo Garcia Rodriguez booted a 50-yard field goal that brought the count to 14-11 with 2:47 left in the half. UAPB answered on their next drive, returning to the end zone, on BJ Curry’s second touchdown of the half, a powerful and tenacious 10-yard run that extended the Golden Lion’s advantage to 21-11.
Prairie View was able to get in field goal range in just 75 seconds, and Garcia Rodriguez was able to connect on a career-high 54-yard field goal that pulled the Panthers to within seven points at 21-14 as the game’s first half expired.
The only points of the third quarter came off the foot of Garcia Rodriguez, whose third field goal of the evening, this one from 49 yards, trimmed the UAPB lead to 21-17 at the 2:03 mark of the third quarter.
After Hagens was stopped short on 4th and 1 Prairie View took over on their 10-yard line. However, the UAPB’s defense was able to stand strong, as Quintin Sterling batted down the Hail Mary attempt to preserve the win.
Up next for the Golden Lions (2-4, 1-1) is a trip to Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium where the Tigers of Grambling State await. In their last meeting, November 10, 2023, Grambling handily defeated UAPB, 43-14.
Prairie View (2-5, 1-3) will look to get on the path to rescue its season to the realm of respectability when they step out of the SWAC and face Texas A&M Commerce, who earlier in the season was defeated by Grambling 35-28 in overtime.
