UAPB close, but Jackson State rallies late for win

PINE BLUFF — The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff was nearly able to put a month’s worth of agony be- hind them Saturday against Jackson State, but a late Tigers’ rally prolonged the Golden Lions’ misery.

Quarterback Jarrad Hayes tossed a 72-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Warren Newman with 4:49 left in the game to power Jackson State to a 30-27, come-from-behind victory and send UAPB to its fourth loss in a row in front of a spirited crowd of 4,200 at Simmons Bank Field.

Hayes threw for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Tigers, who trailed for much of the game before battling back in the fourth quarter. Running back Keshawn Harper added 93 yards rushing and a score

for Jackson State.

The loss spoiled career efforts from UAPB quarterback Skyler Perry and running back Taeyler Porter. Perry, playing in place of injured starter Shannon Patrick, completed 27 of 41 passes for 300 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Porter carried 31 times for 167 yards for the Golden Lions, who were hurt by special teams’ miscues throughout the game.

The Golden Lions had three field goals blocked and kicker Jamie Gillan misfired on another. Gillan also missed an extra-point attempt, but despite all of that, UAPB still found itself in position to win with less than a minute left in regulation.

UAPB (1-5, 0-2 SWAC) lined up for what would have been a game-tying 45yard field goal, but Gillan was stopped for a 6-yard loss on a called fake. Jackson State (2-2, 1-1) was able to run the clock out afterwards and escape with the victory.

“That’s on me,” head

Coach Cedric Thomas said.

“After you get four or five field goals blocked, I don’t know what else to do. That was my call. I’d be looking at myself in the mirror looking crazy if we would’ve kicked it and gotten it blocked again.

“The thing about it, we had a hat on a hat on all of those attempts. It wasn’t anything in particular that Jackson was doing. It was all about strength, and they were pushing us back.”

UAPB, which lost for the 11th time in its past 12 games, got off to a good start with Porter scoring on an 11-yard run to give the Golden Lions a 7-0 lead with 12:48 to go in the opening quarter.

Jackson State countered with a pair of field goals from kicker Christian Jacquemin on its next two drives, while UAPB, in turn, had two fieldgoal attempts swatted down on back-to-back series. A key interception late in the second quarter by defensive back Shawn Steele gave the Golden Lions prime field position at the Tigers’ 33 with less than three minutes to go in the first half, but Gillan was wide left on his 31yard attempt, leaving UAPB clinging to a one-point lead at halftime.

The Golden Lions quickly extended their margin in the second half after forcing the Tigers into a quick three-andout. UAPB drove 40 yards in four plays, with Perry hitting tight end Jeremy Brown for a 22-yard touchdown at the 12:04 mark.

Jacquemin added a 35-yard field goal with 5:06 left in the third quarter to pull Jackson State within 14-9, but the Tigers took the lead when Harper scored on a controversial 60-yard run later in the period. Harper appeared to be tackled for an 8-yard gain but got up and scampered the rest of the way for the score. Stadium replays showed both of Harper’s knees and elbows on the ground before he got up.

“The refs didn’t give me an explanation,” Thomas said. “Instead, replay wasn’t involved either, and it wasn’t a touchdown. They called it a touchdown, but clearly he was down.”

UAPB, though, responded and regained control when linebacker Je’Kevin Carter stepped in front of a Hayes’ pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown to put the Golden Lions back out front 20-16.

The teams exchanged touchdowns over the next two drives before Hayes hit Newman for what turned out to be the game winner.

“We’re still making too many mistakes, but I can see the growth,” Thomas said. “They came out and were really tuned in. We tackled well, too, but [Jackson State] is a good ballclub.

“But you can’t have penalties, you can’t drop three or four interceptions when they hit you right in the hands. We’re getting better, though, and we’re going to continue to work.”

Thomas