Football drops road contest at KCU

GRAYSON, Ky. - An inability to stop the bleeding after encountering bad plays once again doomed the Union football team, which fell 33-12 in Appalachian Athletic Conference play against Kentucky Christian Saturday.

It was the final road game of the season for Union, which fell to 0-9 overall and 0-4 in the AAC.

The Knights gained separation in a tight game late in the first half, scoring a pair of touchdowns in just 1:54.

KCU capped a 12-play, 98-yard drive with a six-yard Maxwell Ward-to-Vincent-Taylor touchdown pass to take a 13-6 lead.

Then, after going three-and-out, the Bulldogs had a punt blocked inside their own 10 for the second week in a row, as Cameron Arthur swatted a Jake Medders punt that was recovered at the Union seven-yard line. This set up a Tyler Haas one-yard touchdown run four plays later, making it 20-6 KCU at the half

It was also the second time Kentucky Christian had blocked a Union punt in the red zone this season. The Knights kicked off the scoring in their 42-0 win in Barbourville on Oct. 1 with a blocked punt at the Bulldog 17, which set up a field goal.

The Bulldogs got within 20-12 on a three-yard Jashaslin James touchdown run in the third quarter, but the Knights responded with a two-play, 75-yard scoring drive that ended with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Ward to Karon Taylor.

James finished with 67 yards rushing, while Tony Norman had a team-best 40 receiving yards, including an eight-yard touchdown catch from Myron Norfleet in the second quarter.

Tramonte Gardner led the defense with 11 tackles and a sack, while Isaiah Osbourne recorded an interception.

NEXT UP FOR THE BULLDOGS

Union has one last shot to earn a win this season, but it won't be easy, as ninth-ranked Reinhardt comes to Williamson Stadium for Senior Day next Saturday. The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m.