The Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (3-8, 1-7 SWAC) forced four turnovers to upset the Alabama State Hornets (6-5, 4-4 SWAC) at the 98th Turkey Day Classic.
Alabama State defensemen Brandon Gaddy (9) and defensive end Nelson Jordan, II, (94) stop Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Kayvon Britten (33) for a loss during the Turkey Day Classic in Montgomery, Alabama on Thursday, November 24 , 2022. Tdc62; Photo Credit: © Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK
Interim head coach Don Treadwell and the Golden Lions led 13-0 at halftime.
Alabama State running back Jacory Merritt hit two touchdowns in the 3rd quarter to take a 5-17 lead with a 14-13.
The Golden Lions joined the Hornets with 8:05 remaining in contention.
Dematrius Davis mounted an 11-play, 52-yard drive in UAPB territory.
Davis threw a high handoff to Merritt, who fumbled the football into the hands of the Golden Lions defenseman for the fourth Hornets turnover of the game.
UAPB backup signal caller Chance Edwards led the final march into the Hornets’ red zone.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Kayvon Britten (33) scores the last minute game-winning touchdown against Alabama State at the Turkey Day Classic on Thursday, November 24, 2022 in Montgomery, Ala. Tdc46; Photo Credit: © Mickey Welsh / Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Kayvon Britten would remain untouched for a 14-yard touchdown scamper to the right for the Golden Lions to retake the lead. Britten was the team’s MVP with 167 rushing yards for 28 carries and three touchdowns.
UAPB failed to convert the two-point attempt and the result remained 19-14 with 49 seconds of the game remaining. The Alabama State rally fell short, with the Golden Lions eventually earning a SWAC victory.
Although the Hornets’ offensive yards were a season-high 497, turnovers were the deciding factor for Eddie Robinson Jr.’s team that failed at home.
For the Golden Lions, it’s still unclear if Treadwell would ditch the “interim” label and replace it as the team’s head coach for the 2023 season.
Today’s capture was the final collegiate game for NFL pro Mark Evans II and senior quarterback Skyler Perry.
Alabama State will fret over losing next season, which should be very competitive after Coach Robinson’s hugely successful rookie coaching campaign.
ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF OUTSTANDING PLAYERS
- Skyler Perry – 14 of 29, 113 passing yards, 1 INT; 7 rushes, 24 rushing yards.
- Kayvon Britten – 28 rushes, 167 rushing yards, 3 TD; 6 receptions, 8 meters.
- Chryst Cochran – 3 receptions, 63 reception yards
- Raequan Prince – 2 receptions, 44 reception yards
ALABAMA STATE STANDOUT PLAYER
- Dematrius Davis – 18 of 30, 272 passing yards, 1 INT
- Jacory Merritt — 17 rushes, 97 rushing yards, 2 TD; 2 receptions, 47 meters
- Kisean Johnson – 7 receptions, 126 reception yards
- Andrew Olgetree – 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 PBU
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