Football drops AAC opener in heartbreaking fashion

LAURINBURG, N.C. - The Union football team experienced many 2022 firsts on Saturday, just not the one the Bulldogs wanted most.

After pulling within a point on a 32-yard Myron Norfleet to Isaiah Johnson touchdown pass with 1:18 to go, the Bulldogs elected to go for the win, only for Norfleet's pass to Taji Jackson to fall incomplete, securing the Knights a 27-26 win in the first week of conference action in the newly formed Appalachian Athletic Football Conference.

Union heads into its second bye week of the season at 0-6.

OH, SO CLOSE

Inserted into the lineup with Union down 19-7 in the third quarter, Norfleet immediately led a pair of touchdown drives. He first scored on a 3-yard run, then connected with Johnson for a 32-yard touchdown to put Union ahead for the first time this season at 20-19.

That score remained until there was 1:45 to play, when St. Andrews retook the lead on an 11-yard touchdown run by quarterback Andrew Fowler. The momentum quickly shifted back Union's way though, thanks to a 36-yard return by D'Mauri Owens on the ensuing kickoff, setting the Bulldogs up at the Knights' 41-yard line.

Just two plays later, Norfleet, who finished with 131 yards passing, connected with Johnson, as Union stayed aggressive and went for the win. Unfortunately, that's where the Bulldogs' luck ran out, as Norfleet's pass to Jackson fell to the turf. All hope for a miracle win ran out when the ensuing onside kick went out of bounds.

Kicking game issues may have impacted the decision to go for it. Two Union kickers went a combined 0-for-3 on field goal attempts while also having an extra point attempt blocked in the third quarter.

FOURTH DOWN BREAKDOWNS

Before all the madness of the final two minutes, the Bulldogs appeared to be one play from sealing the win

Still up 20-19, the Bulldogs proceeded to force a fourth-and-six from the Knight 45, but a breakdown in the secondary resulted in Fowler finding an open Anterius Carpen for a 44-yard gain that went to Union's 11. Fowler then scored on the following play.

It was the second back-breaking play St. Andrews cooked up on fourth down in the second half. On their opening drive of the third quarter, the Knights converted a fourth-and-17, as Fowler hooked up with Marquis McCoy for a 25-yard touchdown.

Terran Cox recorded nine tackles and intercepted two passes, while Zion McCray had 10 tackles (two for loss) and a pick of his own. Union took the ball away three times while giving it away once, winning the turnover battle for the first time this season.

NEXT UP FOR THE BULLDOGS

Union has a week off to regroup from Saturday's brutal loss before returning to the field for a road matchup with Point (Ga.) at noon on Oct. 22.