Union Football’s Comeback Falls Short in Loss to Point

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – Union Commonwealth University's football team (1-4, 0-2 AAC) fell to Point (2-4, 2-0 AAC) 26-18 Saturday afternoon at Williamson Stadium.

Entering the matchup, Union's all-time record against Point was 4-4. Last season on Nov. 9, the Bulldogs lost to the Skyhawks 29-15.

Game Recap

First Quarter: Point 10, Union Commonwealth 0
Point opened the game with the ball. Following a 10-play, 48-yard drive to the Union 25, the Skyhawks settled for a field goal by kicker Harold Maloof to take a 3-0 lead.

With 2:20 left in the quarter, Point scored again following a one-play, 40-yard drive. Union punted the ball to Point, giving the Skyhawks possession at the Union 40. On the first play, quarterback Samir Wylie found Quintravious Teasley for a 40-yard touchdown. Maloof made the extra point to extend the lead to 10-0.

Second Quarter: Point 10, Union Commonwealth 4
The Bulldogs opened the second quarter with possession but were forced to punt shortly after. Point began its drive at the Point 20 with 14:10 left in the half. On first down, Wylie threw a pass to Shawn Jones Jr. for a 7-yard loss, and a personal foul penalty pushed the Skyhawks back to the Point 6. Facing second-and-24, Wylie rushed for one yard, setting up third-and-23 from the Point 7. Under pressure from the Bulldogs, Wylie threw the ball away and was called for intentional grounding, resulting in a safety. The score was 10-2.

With 2:15 left in the half, Point took over at its own 1-yard line after Union failed to score on fourth-and-goal. On first-and-10, Wylie tried to run the ball out of the end zone but was tackled for another safety. The Bulldogs cut the lead to 10-4.

On Union's next drive, quarterback Cooper Wick threw his first interception to defensive back Jakari Nobles. Neither team scored the rest of the half.

Third Quarter: Union Commonwealth 11, Point 10
Union received the ball to start the second half but was forced to punt. Point's next drive also ended with a punt.

With 10:46 remaining in the third quarter, the Bulldogs began a 60-yard drive from their own 40-yard line. Quarterback Bryson Grabowski led the way, rushing for 10 yards and throwing for 54. On second-and-goal from the Point 12, Grabowski found wide receiver Dominic Jones Jr. in the end zone for a touchdown, but it was called back for a pass interference penalty. On the next play, the Bulldogs started from Point's 27-yard line, and Grabowski connected with running back Tajii Jackson for a 27-yard touchdown pass. Kicker Jayce Gager converted the extra point to give Union its first lead of the game, 11-10.

With 3:15 left in the quarter, Union regained possession at its own 21. Following two completed passes from Wick to Jones Jr. for 34 yards, the Bulldogs had a first-and-10 at the Point 45. After an incomplete pass, running back Tajii Jackson rushed three times for 31 yards, moving the ball to the Point 14 as time expired in the quarter.

Fourth Quarter: Point 26, Union Commonwealth 18
Following a 2-yard run from Jackson, Union faced third-and-8 from the Point 12. Wick took the snap and found backup quarterback Nathan Delaughter in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown pass. The Bulldogs led 18-10 with 14:00 left in the game.

The Skyhawks started their next drive from their own 35. On second-and-9 from the Point 26, Wylie was sacked by Union defensive lineman Byron Gee and fumbled the ball, which Gee recovered. Union took over at the Point 29 with 13:04 remaining.

The Bulldogs advanced to the Point 18, but on first-and-10, Point linebacker Ethan Binns forced a fumble from running back Qua Powell and recovered it at the Point 13.

Starting deep in their own territory, the Skyhawks drove 87 yards in seven plays. On first-and-goal from the Union 3, running back Treyvon Copeland punched it into the end zone for a 3-yard rushing touchdown. Copeland was given the ball on the two-point conversion but failed to convert. The score was 18-16 with 9:06 left in the game.

With 6:47 remaining, Point took over at the Union 48 and went on a 10-play, 23-yard drive to the Union 25. Maloof then connected on a 42-yard field goal to give Point the lead back at 19-18.

Union regained possession with 3:07 left at its own 35. After advancing to the Union 46, Wick was sacked by defensive lineman Kassidy Deans and fumbled. Defensive lineman Omarion Brice recovered and returned the ball for a scoop-and-score touchdown. Maloof's extra point made it 26-18.

Union had one final chance to tie the game with 1:42 remaining, starting at its own 34. The Bulldogs advanced to the Union 46, but on first-and-10, Nobles intercepted Wick's pass for his second pick of the day, sealing the 26-18 win for the Skyhawks.

By the Numbers

Turnovers and penalties were the main issues for Union. The Bulldogs had four total turnovers—two interceptions and two fumbles—and nine penalties that cost them 102 yards.

Union led in:

• First downs, with 20

• Third-down conversions, at 38 percent

• Total offense, with 395 yards (252 passing, 143 rushing)

• Total return yards, with 102

• Punting, with six for 211 yards

• Sacks, with three for 13 yards

• Time of possession, at 35:53

To check out the Access Health Player of the Game, click here.

Up Next

The Bulldogs travel to Alumni Stadium in Jackson, Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 18, to take on Rio Grande at 3:30 p.m.