The Panthers football team lost a tough game to Arkansas Pine-Bluff 21-19 Saturday before 15,200 fans at Golden Lion Stadium in Pine Bluff, Ark.
Prairie View dominated the game statistically, outgaining Arkansas-Pine Bluff on offense 430-190 and gaining 26 first downs to Pine Bluff’s seven, but costly turnovers and special teams play allowed the Lions to hang onto a slight advantage the entire game.
The loss dropped the Panthers to 5-3 and 4-3 in SWAC play while the Golden Lions improved to 2-6 in the conference and 2-7 overall.
The Lions wasted no time scoring as Austin Trey took the opening kickoff back 88 yards to put the UAPB up 7-0 with 14:47 remaining in the first quarter. Later in the first quarter, the Panthers answered when running back Chris Gibson scored a touchdown on a 15 yard run. The extra point was blocked and the Panthers trailed 7-6.
Down 14-6 with 3:26 to go before halftime, the Panthers battled back again as they drove 65 yards in 10 plays to cut the lead to 14-12 on a one yard dive by Ben Boyd. After the Golden Lions extended their lead to 21-12 in the third period, the Panthers used another long drive to bridge some of the gap, this time a 10 play 57 yard drive capped by a two yard Calvin Harris dive to make the score 21-19 with 9:41 remaining in the game.
The Panthers could creep back no further however, and suffered their worst loss of the year to date.
Prairie View running back Donald Babers led all rushes with 55 yards on 16 carries while Calvin Harris added 41 yards on 10 carries, including a touchdown. PVAMU quarterback Mark Spivey had a big day, as he went 24-33 for 261 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Panthers next game will be Saturday at 1 p.m. against Jackson State. Their last home game before closing its season will be against Alabama A&M on Saturday, Nov. 17.