TALLAHASSEE, FL.- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football team spoiled Florida A&M's Homecoming celebration Saturday afternoon, using a dominant rushing attack and timely defensive plays to secure a thrilling 31-28 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
The victory marked Florida A&M's first Homecoming loss since 2017, when the Rattlers fell to North Carolina A&T, 31-20. The Golden Lions snapped FAMU's seven-game Homecoming winning streak, handing the Rattlers their first Homecoming defeat in nine years.
With the victory, UAPB improved to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in SWAC play, while Florida A&M dropped to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in conference action.
The Golden Lions established their presence on the ground, rushing for 211 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry. UAPB outrushed Florida A&M by 136 yards and controlled the tempo throughout the contest.
Jalen Williams led the Golden Lions' rushing attack with 66 yards and a touchdown, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. Za'Marion Webber added 60 rushing yards and a touchdown, providing another strong performance in the backfield.
Through the air, Demetric Whitlock Jr. emerged as UAPB's top receiving threat, hauling in four receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Jack Schierholz completed 8-of-12 passes, connecting on 66.7 percent of his attempts.
Defensively, the Golden Lions delivered a strong performance against the Rattlers' rushing attack, limiting Florida A&M to just 75 yards on the ground.
Tylan Cole led the defensive effort with five tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks. Robert Lewis contributed a sack and a tackle for loss as UAPB finished with 10 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Although Florida A&M held a 394-351 advantage in total offense, the Golden Lions made the most of their scoring opportunities, converting all five trips inside the red zone into points, including four touchdowns.
UAPB also dominated time of possession, controlling the football for 33:44 compared to Florida A&M's 26:16. The Golden Lions' offensive line delivered an impressive performance, not allowing a sack throughout the contest.
How It Happened
UAPB wasted little time setting the tone, striking first to take a 7-0 lead with 9:19 remaining in the opening quarter.
Florida A&M responded with 13 unanswered points to move ahead 13-7, but the Golden Lions answered with a five-yard touchdown run to reclaim the advantage, 14-13.
The Rattlers regained the lead at 19-14 before UAPB mounted another response in the third quarter.
With 9:22 remaining in the period, Webber powered into the end zone from two yards out, putting the Golden Lions back in front, 21-19.
UAPB continued to build momentum, adding another touchdown to extend its lead to 28-19.
Florida A&M narrowed the deficit to 28-22, but the Golden Lions answered with a crucial scoring drive, adding a field goal with 3:36 remaining in the fourth quarter to extend their advantage to 31-22.
The Rattlers scored a late touchdown to cut the deficit to three points, but UAPB held on to secure the 31-28 victory and silence the Homecoming crowd at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
The victory represented another important step forward for the Golden Lions, who earned their second SWAC win of the season while ending one of Florida A&M's notable Homecoming traditions.
Game Notes
- UAPB improved to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in SWAC competition.
- The Golden Lions handed Florida A&M its first Homecoming defeat since 2017, snapping a seven-game Homecoming winning streak.
- UAPB rushed for 211 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
- The Golden Lions scored on all five red-zone possessions, including four touchdowns.
- UAPB converted 8-of-14 third-down opportunities (57.1 percent), compared to Florida A&M's 3-of-12.
- The Golden Lions' offensive line did not allow a sack.
- UAPB recorded 10 tackles for loss and three sacks.
- The Golden Lions limited Florida A&M to 75 rushing yards.
- UAPB controlled time of possession, 33:44 to 26:16.
- The Golden Lions scored 14 points in the third quarter.
- Jalen Williams finished with 66 rushing yards and a touchdown.
- Za'Marion Webber contributed 60 rushing yards and a touchdown.
- Demetric Whitlock Jr. recorded four receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown.
