Last second field goal sinks Jaguars in Pine Bluff

Last Saturday’s loss to Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the final seconds of the game was harsh but fair for Southern University.
Southern (7-3, 5-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) dug itself into a hole early allowing UAPB to get ahead 13-0 in the first quarter. Plus, UAPB (3-7, 3-5) led 20-0 early in the second quarter before Southern put its first points on the board when Bryant Lee hit Gerard Landry on a four yard touchdown pass.
Southern went in at half down 20-7 but scored twice in the games final 10 minutes with a 40 yard pass from Lee to Albert Turner and a 96 yard drive which put the Jaguars ahead 21-20 capped by a 16 yard touchdown pass from Lee to Juamorris Stewart with 1:05 left to play.
On ensuing drive UAPB drove 60 yards as Chris Wallace connected with Jason Jones for a 44 yard completion, putting the Golden Lions in field goal range. Here’s where things got dicey.
First, UAPB spiked the ball on first down, but the officials hadn’t put the ball in play so they replayed the down. Then Martel Mallett went for 5 yards and Wallace went for 2 yards. Then on third down at the SU 15, out came John Heflin to attempt a 32 yard field goal.
Then after Heflin’s field goal attempt was blocked by Southern defensive lineman Vince Lands, the Jaguars came off the bench and some players took off their helmets. The only problem was that the game was not over and that drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and stopped the clock with 2.6 seconds remaining.
“When you look at it the call was the correct call,” said SU coach Pete Richardson.
“Regardless of what anyone says the game wasn’t over and the call was made. It’s a huge learning experience because it costs us dearly to reach our goal of getting to the championship game.”
Plus, since UAPB had attempted the field goal on third down and recovered the block, the Golden Lions still had possession and were able to kick again on fourth down.
This time Heflin’s attempt wasn’t blocked and he put the ball through the uprights giving UAPB the 23-21 victory as time expired.
“You never want to be in a position where one play is going to beat you,” Richardson said. “If you do that then you chances of winning will increase.”
And as the players left the sideline to shake hands Richardson called a huddle around him to dish out the blame to his team.
“Basically I thought we were trying to excuses that we got cheated out of the game,” Richardson said. “The call was the correct call. My only concern was that it should have been on both sides. Unfortunately it didn’t happen that way.”
“I think it’s an experience of value for the players in showing that you have to be responsible for your actions and you have to play within the confines of the rules,” Richardson said. “Hopefully it makes them stronger down the road.”
Lee was 31-for-40 for 373 yards and three touchdowns while Wallace went 16-for-21 for 216 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions.
Southern came in with a goal of containing UAPB running backs Mallett and Mickey Dean but came up short. The Jaguars gave up 99 yards to Mallett on 15 carries and 69 yards and two touchdowns to Dean on 13.
Also, UAPB playmaker Jones had 146 yards and a touchdown on six receptions and the 44 yard grab which set the Golden Lions up in position for Heflin’s game winning field goal.
“I thought they played hard in the second half and dug themselves out on top but unfortunately the team we played made a few plays and sealed the deal.”
How They Scored
• UAPB’s Chris Wallace hit Jason Jones on a 62 yard touchdown pass and John Heflin converted on the extra point to give the Golden Lions a 7-0 lead with 14:43 remaining in the first quarter. The drive spanned 17 seconds and was good for one play and 62 yards.
• Mickey Dean rushes in from two yards out but Heflin’s extra point attempt was blocked. The score gave UAPB a 13-0 lead with 4:37 left in the first quarter. The drive spanned 49 seconds and was good for four yards and two plays.
• Dean rushes in from three yards out for his second score of the night, as Heflin converted on the extra point putting UAPB ahead 20-0 with 4:02 remaining in the second quarter. The drive was UAPB’s longest, spanning 2:34 good for six plays and 60 yards.
• SU’s Bryant Lee hits Gerard Landry on a four yard pass and Josh Duran converts the extra point with 1:24 remaining in the second quarter as the Jaguars trailed 20-7 going into halftime. The drive lasted 2:31 and was good for six plays and 75 yards.
• Lee hits Albert Turner on a 40 yard pass and Duran converts the extra point with 9:29 remaining in the fourth quarter to put Southern within 20-14 of UAPB. The scoring drive spanned 10 seconds and was good for one play and 40 yards.
• Lee hits Juamorris Stewart on a 16 yard touchdown pass and Duran converts the extra point attempt with 1:05 remaining in the fourth quarter to put Southern ahead 21-20. The drive spanned 6:26 and was good for 14 plays and 96 yards.
• Following Heflin’s blocked field goal attempt and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Southern, Heflin converts on a 32-yard field goal to put UAPB ahead 23-21 as time expired. The drive spanned 1:00 and was good for seven plays and 60 yards.