Langston Edged by Last Second Field Goal against Div 1-AA UAPB

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas  -  After a quiet first quarter on offense from both teams, the University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff managed to break the scoring drought with a 19-yard touchdown run by running back Dennis Jenkins. UAPB quarterback Ben Anderson ran an option play to the left side, pitching the ball to Jenkins late, who scampered into the endzone untouched with 7:39 left in the first half. Mother nature then made its presence felt in Little Rock. A storm passed through War Memorial Stadium, forcing the referees to halt play for 30 minutes until the weather cleared up.

After play resumed, Langston would quickly even up the score. Only a few minutes later in the 2nd quarter, the Lions answered with a 38 yard score to sophomore wide receiver Kyron King on a post route over the middle. Junior Lion quarterback Jac’Quon Miles delivered a perfectly timed strike, allowing King to extend for the ball and continue to the endzone unimpeded. Just as LU gained momentum, however, it was given right back to the Golden Lions of UAPB. With less than 4 minutes remaining in the half, UAPB drove down the field quickly and scored with 45 seconds left on a 33-yard pass to receiver Dezmond Beverly to give the Golden Lions a 14-7 lead after two quarters.

The third quarter passed by much like the first quarter, with neither team able to sustain a long drive. Midway through the third quarter, the Lions recovered a muffed punt deep in UAPB territory. The Lions could not capitalize as they committed two consecutive holding penalties that stalled their drive.



Langston took possession to begin the fourth quarter, and started on a 10 pay, 80 yard scoring drive capped off by a 1-yard touchdown from Lion running back Will Taylor. Taylor’s touchdown tied the score at 14-14 with 10:44 remaining in the contest. UAPB was unable to answer the Lions scoring drive, and were forced to punt. Langston took the ball with 2:41 left in the game, with Miles looking to engineer a game winning drive. Starting on their own 19, the Lions marched into UAPB territory on a 14 yard reception to receiver Justin Robinson.

Langston looked to be in control, but two plays later Miles was sacked and fumbled. The ball was kicked backward deep into Langston territory, and was eventually recovered by UAPB defensive lineman Damien Lee at the Langston 25. Lee returned the fumble 6 yards to the LU 19, with only 1 minute remaining in the contest. UAPB was able to make a field goal as time expired, giving the Golden Lions a 17-14 victory.

Langston’s next football game will be its 2012 home opener against Bacone College. The game will be at 7:00 p.m. at W.E. Anderson Stadium.



COURTESY LANGSTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS