UAPB Football Prepares for SWAC Showdown on ESPNU

Kalan Hooks

PRAIRIE VIEW, TX – After a heartbreaking loss to Alcorn State last Thursday, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football team will look to bounce back against Prairie View A&M on tonight at Panther Stadium for their second consecutive Thursday night game on national television.
In the last matchup UAPB had against PVAMU, the Golden Lions defeated the Panthers in the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) Western Division championship game with a final score of (36 – 31), claiming the Western Division title and punching their ticket to the SWAC Championship to face Alabama A&M.

WR Tyrin Ralph would finish last year’s contest against the Panthers with seven receptions for 100 yards.

LB Kolby Watts carried the Golden Lions on the defensive side, leading with nine tackles.

In last week’s matchup against Alcorn State, the Golden Lions jumped out to an early lead going into the half, before the Braves rallied back in the final minutes for their first conference win of the season.

On the offensive side, WR Josh Wilkes led UAPB with six receptions for 85 yards and one touchdown, followed by QB Skyler Perry who went 24/39 for 316 yards and one touchdown.

Preseason All-Conference DB, Jalon Thigpen led UAPB defensive unit with eight tackles and one breakup in the matchup versus Alcorn St.

Prairie View A&M is coming off a win, defeating Grambling State with a final score of (24 – 10), led by QB Jawon Pass going 13/22 for 201 yards and two touchdowns.

UAPB head coach Doc Gamble plans to take away the mistakes in the matchup against PVAMU. “Prairie View A&M is a well-coached team, and we have to minimize the penalties and mistakes against a good team like Prairie View A&M,” said Gamble about his game plan.

The game will be broadcasted live on ESPNU at 6:30 p.m. CST, and you can also listen to the game live on UAPB Sports Network and 99.3 The Beat FM.