Union falls 37-27 at Campbellsville

Campbellsville, Ky. – The Union College football team played at Campbellsville on Saturday, Sept. 23. The Bulldogs fell short 37-27.

Union LB Noah Steen had a phenomenal performance with 11 tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one interception. Bulldog WR Tony Norman tied an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) record with 11 receptions as Bluefield's Jewels Gray also tallied 11 catches yesterday.

Campbellsville led 9-0 with possession of the football when Union DB Jamarious McClellan recorded an interception. The Bulldogs took over at their own 48-yard line. The drive resulted in a successful 31-yard field goal by Dustin Brown.

Later in the quarter, a fumbled punt return by Campbellsville gave Union the football at the Tigers' 27-yard line. The Bulldogs would trim the lead to 9-6 with a 27-yard field goal by Brown.

Campbellsville went on to extend its lead to 23-6. With 33 seconds remaining in the half, Union QB Walker Russell connected with WR Quinn Carter for a 30-yard touchdown. On the Tigers' next possession, Steen intercepted Campbellsville deep in Tiger territory.

Union's drive started at the Tigers' 15-yard line. On the second play of the possession, Norman made a tremendous one-handed TD catch in double coverage. The 14-yard TD from Russell to Norman led to a 23-20 score at halftime with the Tigers in front.

Campbellsville began the third quarter by outscoring the Bulldogs 14-0. Union responded with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a four-yard TD pass from Russell to Chris Thomas. Union trailed 37-27 with 3:40 to play in the third quarter.

The score remained the same throughout the remainder of the matchup. Union had two drives in the final five minutes of the matchup, but the Tigers prevented points. The Bulldogs got to the red zone on the first drive, while getting into Campbellsville territory on the second. Campbellsville won 37-27.

Russell was 27-of-53 for 264 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Union RB Taji Jackson led the team on the ground with eight carries for 53 yards, while Carter led the team in receiving yards with 69 off five receptions.

The Bulldogs tallied seven sacks, 14 tackles for loss, two fumbles, and two interceptions. Steen, Andre Johnson, Jarred Sermons, Kam Bradshaw, Byron Gee, and Samuel Hawthorne combined to account for Union's seven sacks.

Union is now 1-3, while Campbellsville is 2-2. Union begins conference play next week with a matchup at Pikeville on Saturday, Sept. 30, at 7:00 p.m.