MEMPHIS, TN.- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football team got touchdowns from six different players and rushed for 258 yards, but the Golden Lions came up just short in a 53-51 double-overtime loss to Alcorn State Saturday night inside Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
The Braves improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, while the Golden Lions fell to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
"It was a hard-fought game, and we had a good chance to win it," UAPB head coach Alonzo Hampton said. "It's going to hurt for 24 hours, but we can't let this game beat us twice. We have to bounce back and get ready for Central State and our first home game."
Quarterback Garrison Davis led the UAPB passing attack with 167 yards and four touchdowns while adding 67 yards on the ground.
"I thought Garrison did a great job," Hampton said. "He made plays with his arm and his legs and gave us every chance to win the game."
Jaylen Jennings led the Golden Lions' rushing attack with 98 yards and a touchdown, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Za'Marion Webber added 85 yards and a touchdown while averaging 8.5 yards per carry.
UAPB finished with 258 rushing yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry and out-rushing Alcorn State by 44 yards.
"We've got a good offense," Hampton said. "We can run the ball and throw it. We have three running backs who can make plays, and those guys continue to get better."
D'Avery Robinson was Davis' top target, finishing with four receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Danarius Hilliard led the Golden Lions with 12 tackles. Michael Henderson recorded nine tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception, while Du'Wayne Paulhill also intercepted a pass.
Henderson's performance carried additional meaning after he arrived in Memphis on the morning of the game following his grandmother's funeral in Atlanta.
"Michael Henderson is one of the best human beings I've ever been around," Hampton said. "To see him play the way he did, I'm sure he was honoring his grandmother. I was extremely happy for him."
Both teams forced two turnovers, with the Golden Lions turning their takeaways into seven points. UAPB's defense intercepted Alcorn State quarterback Jaylon Tolbert twice and broke up three passes.
How It Happened
Alcorn State jumped out to an early 6-0 lead before UAPB got on the board with a field goal to cut the deficit to 6-3 with 7:06 remaining in the first quarter.
The Braves extended their advantage to 12-3, but the Golden Lions responded with a touchdown to pull within 12-10.
After Alcorn State pushed its lead to 18-10, UAPB answered again with a touchdown with 1:54 remaining in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 18-17.
The Golden Lions continued to build momentum and took their first lead on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Davis, putting UAPB ahead 24-18.
The Golden Lions came out of halftime strong and eventually built their largest lead of the night at 38-24 when Webber broke loose for a 54-yard touchdown run with 9:40 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Alcorn State responded with 14 unanswered points to tie the game at 38 and ultimately force overtime.
"We were up 14 points and had an opportunity to finish the game," Hampton said. "Defensively, we just have to do our jobs and execute. That starts with us as coaches."
The Golden Lions and Braves traded touchdowns in the first overtime, keeping the game tied and sending the contest into a second extra period.
Alcorn State struck in the second overtime and converted its two-point attempt to take a 53-45 lead.
UAPB responded with a touchdown to pull within two, 53-51, setting up a potential game-tying two-point conversion. The Golden Lions' pass attempt was broken up in the end zone, bringing the double-overtime thriller to an end.
"We had an opportunity, and their guy made a play," Hampton said. "That's part of the game."
Alcorn State finished with 699 yards of total offense, while UAPB totaled 425 yards. Tolbert led the Braves' passing attack, completing 32-of-45 attempts for 485 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions. Tyree Kelly was Alcorn State's leading receiver with 151 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite the loss, the Golden Lions converted their only fourth-down attempt, won the time-of-possession battle 30:14 to 29:46 and forced a red-zone turnover. UAPB converted 4-of-12 third downs, while Alcorn State finished 5-of-13.
"Hats off to Alcorn," Hampton said. "They fought, they never flinched, and they kept battling. It was a good football game."
The Golden Lions will be back in action for their 2026 home opener against Central State on Saturday, Sept. 19, at Simmons Bank Field. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT, with the game airing live on SWAC TV.
