Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 3) - The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Football dropped a  44-0 decision to Tennessee State in the season opener, here Saturday evening at Nissan Stadium in the Big John Merritt Classic.
 
In the contest, the Golden Lions finished the game with 168 yards of total offense (49 yards rushing, 119 passing) as UAPB finished with 57 plays on the day.
 
Brandon Duncan in his fifth collegiate start of his career finished the contest with 154 yards of total offense.   Duncan recorded 119 yards through the air by completing 19 passes in 34 attempts and recorded 35 yards on 15 carries. 
 
Both Willie Young and Cody Swain led the UAPB receiver as Swain finished the contest with 32 yards on five receptions.  Behind him were Young with 31 yards on three receptions.
 
Jamal Odom led the Golden Lions defense with eight tackles, followed by Rico Merriweather with six and Tashad Charity with five.
 
TSU finished the contest with 461 yards of total offense as they tallied 202 yards on the ground and 259 yards through the air. 
 
Erick Evans was the leading rusher for the Tigers as he finished the contest with 67 yards on 13 carries with one TD. 
 
Patrick Smith led the Tigers receivers with 100 yards on six receptions and one TD.
 
O'Shay Ackerman-Carter the Tigers' field general finished the contest with 259 yards passing by completing 18 passes in 32 attempts with two TDs and one interception. 
 
TSU took a 20-0 into halftime two TDs and two field goals in the half.
Lane Clark give the Tigers a 3-0 lead as he connected on a 47-yard field goal with 2:33 remaining in the first quarter, capping a 10-play, 45-yard drive by TSU.
 
Clark made his second field goal of the game from 23-yards out with 9:59 remaining in the second quarter, capping a seven-play, 27-yard drive by the Tigers.