Little Rock, AR – Lions kick off season opener with a 3-point loss to Div. 1-AA opponent, University of Arkansas at Pine-Bluff, Saturday, September 1.
Photo Courtesy of LangstonSports.com.
After a quiet first quarter on offense from both teams, UABP managed to break the scoring drought with a 19-yard touchdown 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 clear the stadium of about 5,000 attendees, and halt play until the weather cleared up.
After 30 minutes play resumed and Langston quickly evened up the score. Only a few minutes into 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. Miles, who was 12-22 for 154 yards and a touchdown, along with 17 rushes for 69 yards, is a dual-threat quarterback that looked poised in his first college start.
Just as LU gained momentum, with less than 4 minutes remaining in the half, UAPB drove down the field quickly and scored with 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, which tied the score at 14-14 with 10:44 remaining in the contest. 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 BaconeCollege. The game will be at 7:00 p.m. at W.E. Anderson Stadium.
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