Pine Bluff, Ark. | After a go ahead touchdown was called back in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, the Golden Bears dropped their first game of the season, losing to the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, 21-20.
Trailing 14-0 at the half, the Golden Bears would finally get on the scoreboard on their first drive of the second half to cut the lead to 14-7 to open up the third quarter. Later in the quarter, UAPB's BJ Curry would break loose on a 79-yard touchdown run but after a 79-yard pass play from
Edwin Kleinpeter to
Keidarris Griffin on the next possession,
Jamari Riley would answer for the Golden Bears with an 8-yard touchdown run to cut the lead back down to seven.
Early in the fourth with the score at 21-14, the Golden Bears offense was forced to punt but the Golden Lions would muff the punt and
Jaylin Peterson recovered the ball in the end zone that put the Golden Bears in position to tie the game but the extra point was blocked, leaving the score at 21-20 with 11:09 remaining.
The Golden Bears would have an opportunity to take the lead midway through the fourth quarter, driving inside the UAPB red zone but the Golden Bears would be unable to convert a fourth down at the UAPB 5-yard line. Miles Defense would hold on the next possession but after what initially looked to be a go-ahead touchdown was called back on a late penalty, an ensuing fumble would ultimately secure the victory for the Golden Lions.
After three weeks on the road to open the season, the Golden Bears will finally make their home debut on Saturday at 4.00 p.m. when they face conference opponent Clark-Atlanta. Tickets for Saturday's contest are available
here. Gates open at 12 p.m.
Purchase your season tickets
here