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#UAPBFootball: Defense Stands Tall in UAPB’s Second Fall Scrimmage

8/17/2025 4:05:00 PM

Golden Lions set to take on Texas Tech in season opener

Pine Bluff, AR. – The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football team continued its preparations for the 2025 season with its second scrimmage of fall camp on Saturday, and it was the defense that made the biggest statement of the day.

From the opening series, the Golden Lions' defensive unit played with urgency and energy, flying to the football and disrupting the flow of the offense. The group's aggressive play stood out to coaches, players, and fans in attendance as the defense forced stops and set the tone for the afternoon.

"I'm proud of the way the defensive unit came out and played this weekend, especially the defensive line," said defensive coordinator Jeff Burrow. "The fact that everyone is buying in and communicating more makes the transition a lot easier, but the most important part is that we're getting better every day."

Leading the charge was Pine Bluff native KJ Sims, a transfer from Arkansas Tech who has been one of the most consistent performers in camp. Sims' presence up front has given the defense a reliable anchor, and his play on Saturday added to what coaches have called "one of the better camps on the defensive side of the ball."

While the defense drew much of the attention, the offense showed flashes of its own potential despite holding out several key contributors. The wide receiver unit, in particular, looked strong, flashing both depth and explosiveness.

Freshman wideout Ellis Stewart turned heads with several standout moments, while multiple young players who gained experience last season continued to show growth and maturity. The emergence of Jordan Jackson, another Pine Bluff native and Arkansas Tech transfer, has also been one of the highlights of camp, giving the Golden Lions another versatile playmaker to lean on heading into the fall.

At quarterback, the competition remains intense. Several players are in contention for the starting job, and while the coaching staff has not yet named a starter, Head Coach Alonzo Hampton emphasized that the team is close to making a decision.

Hampton, now in his third season at the helm, noted that the progress of the program is evident on the field.

"As we get closer to the season opener against Texas Tech, we know we're facing a Power Five program with one of the biggest NIL budgets in all of college football," Hampton said. "We understand what we're up against, but we're going to compete all four quarters and do our part. What excites me most is that in year three, you can really see our team growing and we've added size, speed, and talent, and it's showing on the field."

Associate Head Coach Offensive Coordinator Tony Hull also highlighted the impact of homegrown talent, stressing the importance of building around players from the Pine Bluff community.

"I'm proud of the way Jackson played, another local kid who had a great camp," Hull said. "This community has a lot of good talent, and we're going to do our best to keep those guys here. As we get closer to fall camp, I want to see us tighten up on the minor details because it's going to be loud in Lubbock, Texas."

The Golden Lions will continue training as they prepare for their season opener on Saturday, August 30, when they travel to face Texas Tech at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

#1Team1ROAR

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