Late lead lost, UAPB falls again in OT
For the second consecutive week, the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff saw a fourth-quarter lead disappear on the road before falling in overtime.
UAPB lost 48-47 in double overtime a week ago at Mississippi Valley State after leading 27-13 early in the fourth quarter. Saturday in Grambling, La., the Golden Lions couldn’t hold a 38-35 lead in the final minute as a field goal forced overtime, where Grambling State won 45-38 at Eddie Robinson Stadium.
The loss left UAPB (1-7, 0-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference) as the only team without a league victory after Texas Southern’s 42-14 home win over Mississippi Valley State.
Saturday’s game was tied 38-38 at the end of regulation. There were 11 lead changes with no team leading by more than five points until Grambling scored on its initial overtime possession on the
first play, a 25-yard touchdown pass from Geremy Hickbottom to Darrell Clark. Marc Orozco, who kicked a 20-yard field goal with 46 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, added the extra point.
The Golden Lions benefited from a pass interference penalty on fourth down to keep their overtime hopes alive at the Grambling (4-4, 3-2) 13. Two Jaimon Peterson rushes for 9 yards took the ball to the 4, but Taeyler Porter was pushed back to the 7 to set up fourth and 4, where Skyler Perry’s pass to Kolby McNeal fell incomplete to
give the Tigers the victory.
Porter had 226 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns on 38 carries to lead the Golden Lions’ attack. His 75-yard score gave UAPB a 16-14 lead early in the second half after the Tigers opened the third quarter with a 74-yard touchdown run by LaDarrian Ellis-Jones.
Perry threw for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns on 23-of-43 passing with an interception. His final score, a 5-yarder to Dejuan Miller, gave the Golden Lions a 38-35 lead with 4:05 remaining.
UAPB had 9 more first downs (27-16) and outgained Grambling 458-450 in total offense, and ran 34 more plays (98-64) than the Tigers, who had 11 penalties for 200 yards. The Golden Lions had a 34:04-25:43 edge in time of possession.