Arkansas-Pine Bluff Tops Southern 40-21

**Peters Leads Golden Lions to Dominant SWAC Opener Victory Over Southern, 40-21**

Pine Bluff, Ark. — The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions kicked off their Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) campaign in impressive fashion Saturday, defeating the Southern University Jaguars 40-21 at Simmons Bank Field. Quarterback Christian Peters delivered a standout performance, accounting for three touchdowns to ignite the Golden Lions’ offense.

Peters, a pivotal force for UAPB, demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities throughout the contest. He completed 16 of 25 passes for 248 yards and two aerial scores, while also rushing for a crucial touchdown himself. His two scoring throws found Michael Jamerson Jr. and Daemon Harris, showcasing his connection with key receivers.

“Christian was outstanding today,” said UAPB Head Coach Alonzo Hampton after the game. “He commanded the offense, made smart decisions, and really executed our game plan. His leadership on the field was evident, especially in a big conference opener like this.”

The Golden Lions’ defensive unit also played a significant role, disrupting Southern’s rhythm and forcing three turnovers. One of the most electrifying plays of the afternoon came courtesy of Maurice Rowell, who intercepted a Southern pass and returned it all the way for a touchdown, further widening UAPB’s lead and energizing the home crowd. Isaiah Freemon added another rushing touchdown for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, contributing to the team’s robust offensive output.

Southern, despite flashes of offensive potential, struggled to maintain pace with UAPB. Jaguars quarterback Harold Blood connected with Kendell Washington for a touchdown pass, and both Derron Medley and Joshua Bates contributed rushing touchdowns. However, the Jaguars were ultimately outgained in total yardage, finishing with 298 yards compared to Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s 392. A key challenge for Southern was the absence of their punter due to injury, which impacted field position throughout the game.

“We faced some adversity today, and UAPB played a strong game,” Southern Head Coach Eric Dooley commented. “We need to clean up the turnovers and get healthy. This conference is tough, and every game is a battle.”

The victory marks a strong start in conference play for Arkansas-Pine Bluff, signaling their intent in a highly competitive SWAC landscape. The Golden Lions will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture. Southern, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly as they navigate the rigorous conference schedule.

Next week, Arkansas-Pine Bluff will travel to face Mississippi Valley State, while Southern will return home to Baton Rouge to host Prairie View A&M in another critical SWAC matchup.