A 26-yard pick six by Edward Patterson with 2:25 remaining secured a seven-point victory for the Tigers Saturday, as they survived another nail bitter against Arkansas Pine- Bluff 27-20.
Leading receiver Desmond Beverly, No. 2 running back Stephen Jones, who’s responsible for nine of the 20 total touchdowns, and sack leader Joe Dalton were all missing in action because of the Golden Lions melee that occurred after their victory over Southern University.
Early in the game the two teams scored early and often. After a Frank Rivers interception, the Golden Lions scored on their first play of the game. Benjamin Anderson threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Mareo Howard and on their ensuing drive, Anderson completed another touchdown pass for 48-yards to Jevon Dixon building their lead to 14-0 with 8:28 left to go in the first quarter. Anderson was 18 of 38 for 223 yards two touchdowns and one interception.
“This was the quickest UAPB registered 14 points all season,” said I.C Murrell, Sports Editor of the Pine-Bluff Commercial.
The G-Men then responded with a pair of touchdowns of their own. SWAC’s offensive player of the week, Dawrence Roberts found an opening in the UAPB defense and ran loose for 34 yards. Two plays later he ran in a 2-yard touchdown and on the Tigers ensuing drive Rivers connected with Damien Jefferson for a 25-yard touchdown that tied the game at 14 at the 2:56 mark of the first quarter. Rivers was 12 of 22 for 140 for two touchdowns and two interceptions.
After the first quarter, the high scoring slowed down for both teams. The Tigers first drive of the second quarter resulted in a Fabian Carter punt. Nine plays and 43-yards later at the 11:06 mark, kicker Chris Ewald completed a 39-yard field goal giving Pine-Bluff the lead 17-14.
Late in the half with 25 seconds remaining in the quarter, Rivers connected with Jefferson again. Jefferson used his athletic ability to break numerous tackles to make his way to the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown that gave the Tigers their first lead 21-17. Jefferson caught six passes for 108 yards and a season high two touchdowns.
“We felt like they were going to double team Mario, which they did,” said Jefferson. “We were able to take advantage of the middle and I made plays off of my opportunity.”
Louis finished with two catches for 15 yards.
The only points of the third quarter came from UAPB’s kicker Ewald at the 1:28. He successfully kicked a 30 yard field goal bring tightening the score: 21-20.
In the fourth quarter GSU’s defense stepped up big as they have been all year. The Golden Lions had two opportunities to take over the game, but to no avail the G-Men defense stopped them twice.
At the 2:25 mark Edward intercepted Anderson’s pass and ran it back 26 yards for a touchdown extending their lead to 27-20. The Tigers attempted to put the game away by going for two-point conversion rather the extra point field goal, but was unsuccessful.
Kev Keise
HBCU Buzz Staff Writer
