Quarterback Christian Peters leads Golden Lions’ offense with 323 passing yards and one touchdown through the air, while also adding 30 rushing yards and a rushing score. photo by Don Mooney
MEMPHIS, TN. . – The 56th time the Southern Heritage Classic contest proved to be a classic. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football team put together a clutch 12-play, 79-yard drive capped by a one-yard rushing touchdown with 5:39 left in the fourth quarter, lifting the Golden Lions to a 24-20 victory over Alcorn State on Saturday night at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
In a losing effort Jacorian Sewell carried the Braves with a carrer-high 22 yards rushing. photo by Don Mooney
The win improves UAPB to 2-2 overall and 1-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, while Alcorn State fell to 0-4 and 0-2. Quarterback Christian Peters led the Golden Lions’ offense with 323 passing yards and one touchdown through the air, while also adding 30 rushing yards and a rushing score. Jaylen Jennings contributed 63 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with 71 receiving yards. Peters’ top target was Kareem Burke, who caught six passes for 102 yards, while Chris Hicks Jr. chipped in three receptions for 61 yards. Ellis Stewart added 55 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Freshman WR Ellis Stewart pulls in first half TD pass over Alcorn. photo by Don Mooney
Running back Jacorian Sewell powered the Alcorn attack with a career-high 225 rushing yards on 23 carries, including touchdown runs of 33 and 5 yards. Quarterback Jaylon Tolbert added 207 passing yards, completing 15 of 30 attempts with a 24-yard scoring strike to Jamar Kaho in the first quarter.
Running back Jaylen Jennings attacked Braves in the air as well as on the ground. photo by Don Mooney
Alcorn grabbed an early lead on Tolbert’s touchdown pass to Kaho and answered each Golden Lion surge through three quarters. Sewell’s 33-yard scoring burst midway through the second quarter and his 5-yard touchdown in the third gave the Braves their final advantage. Arkansas–Pine Bluff quarterback Christian Peters threw for 323 yards and one touchdown and scored the game-winning 1-yard keeper in the fourth.
UAPB offensive line coach review previous series and make adjustments. The offensive line did not allow a sack in the contest. photo by Don Mooney
The Braves finished with 272 net rushing yards and converted 5 of 13 third downs, but a missed field goal and 12 penalties for 106 yards proved costly in a contest that featured six lead changes
Jamar Kaho Jr. speeds past UAPB secondary for first half pitch and catch TD. photo by Don Mooney
1st Quarter: UAPB struck first with a field goal to take a 3-0 lead at the 6:59 mark. Alcorn State answered with a touchdown to go ahead 6-3. 2nd Quarter: Jennings powered in a 19-yard touchdown run to put UAPB back on top, 10-6. The Braves regained the lead, 13-10, before Stewart’s 22-yard touchdown reception from Peters gave the Golden Lions a 17-13 advantage heading into halftime.
Battle in the trenches. photo by Don Mooney
3rd Quarter: Alcorn State reclaimed momentum, moving ahead 20-17. 4th Quarter: UAPB responded with the decisive 12-play, 79-yard drive, capped by a one-yard touchdown run from Peters to seal the 24-20 victory.
UAPB won the turnover battle, forcing one interception without committing a giveaway. The Golden Lions scored their most points in the second quarter (14). Hilliard led UAPB with 11 tackles.
Punter Zach Wieder averaged 45 yards on four punts, pinning one inside the 20-yard line.UAPB’s defense allowed just seven points in four Alcorn State red-zone trips, including one red-zone turnover. The Golden Lions held the edge in time of possession, 29:45 to 28:32.