Arkansas Pine Bluff routs Alabama A&M in SWAC opener

Sep 8, 2019, 03:34 am

NORMAL, Ala. -- Skyler Perry threw three touchdown passes and his backup Shannon Patrick tossed three more as Arkansas Pine Bluff scored 35 unanswered points to beat Alabama A&M 52-34 on Saturday in a Southwestern Athletic Conference opener.

Perry opened the scoring with a 59-yard TD toss to Harry Ballard III on the Golden Lions' first possession, but Aqeel Glass drove Alabama A&M 68 yards in four plays, connecting with Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim from 9 yards out to forge a tie. Zack Piwniczka kicked a 30-yard field goal to put the Golden Lions (1-1, 1-0) up 10-7, but the Bulldogs (1-1, 0-1) used a 17-yard TD run by Jordan Bentley to take a 14-10 lead. Patrick gave Pine Bluff the lead for good when he hooked up with Tyrin Ralph for a 28-yard score and a 17-14 lead.

Perry hit Jeremy Brown for an 8-yard TD in the second quarter and Patrick added a 49-yard scoring strike to Ballard to make it 31-14 at halftime. Patrick connected with DeJuan Miller for a 27-yard score and Taeyler Porter ripped off a 53-yard TD run in the third quarter to end a 35-0 run, putting the Golden Lions up 45-14.

Keshawn Williams carried 20 times for a career-high 201 yards, while Porter finished with 117 yards on 18 totes for Pine Bluff. Patrick competed 9 of 14 passes for 196 yards, while Perry was 11-of-15 passing for 109 yards. Ballard hauled in four passes for 132 yards and three TDs.

Glass completed 30 of 43 passes for 352 yards with two TDs and an interception for Alabama A&M. Bentley had 108 yards and two TDs on 18 carries.