Union dominates KCU in 44-0 win on Senior Day

Barbourville, Ky. – The Union College football team hosted Kentucky Christian on Saturday, Nov. 11., on Senior Day for the Bulldogs. Union won 44-0. The Bulldogs have now won three consecutive home games. The combined score of those matchups is 97-19.

The Bulldogs registered 483 yards of offense against KCU, while allowing just 193. The Orange and Black rushed for 323 yards with an average of 9.5 yards per carry.

Union won the coin toss, and elected to defer. KCU was forced to punt on the game's opening possession. An issue with the snap resulted in the Bulldogs taking over at the KCU 20-yard line.

On the second play of the ensuing drive, Union quarterback Walker Russell connected with wide receiver Tony Norman on a 17-yard TD pass. The Bulldogs led 7-0 with 12:38 to play in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Union had the ball at its own three-yard line when running back Taji Jackson recorded a 70-yard run to the KCU 27-yard line. On the next play, Jackson registered a 27-yard TD run. The Bulldogs led 14-0 with 12:27 remaining in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs would extend their lead with 30 seconds remaining in the half with a one-yard TD run by Russell that capped off a seven-play, 55-yard drive. The Orange and Black led 21-0 at halftime.

Union took a 23-0 lead with 10:56 to play in the third quarter via a blocked punt. The Bulldogs took a 30-0 lead later in the quarter when Russell connected with Chris Thomas on a 29-yard TD pass.

The duo of Russell and Thomas would score its second TD of the game in the fourth quarter off a nine-yard TD pass. That score gave Union a 37-0 lead with 13:11 to play in regulation.

With 5:22 to go in the fourth, the Bulldogs' Jayden Ward scored off a nine-yard TD run. It gave the Orange and Black a 44-0 lead with 5:22 remaining. Union's final scoring drive of the season took 5:06 off the clock, while covering 73 yards in 10 plays. The Bulldogs won 44-0.

Russell was 8-of-15 for 141 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson led Union's rushing attack with 11 carries for 162 yards and one touchdown. Omarion Parks tallied 87 yards off eight carries, which included a 74-yard rush.

Norman recorded three catches for 62 yards and one touchdown, while Thomas tallied three receptions for 49 yards and two TDs.

Defensively, Quinterrius Tanksley and Bronson Bates each recorded six total tackles. Tramonte Gardner, Isaiah Osborne, and Keke McMurry each registered five total tackles. Union held KCU to just 2.1 yards per carry and 98 passing yards.

The Bulldogs finish the regular season 4-6 (3-3 AAC), while KCU is now 1-10 (1-5 AAC). Union finishes the season having won three of its last five games.

On Senior Day, the Bulldogs recognized Paul Maxwell, Walker Russell, Jarred Sermons, Tramonte Gardner, Chris Thomas, D'Mauri Owens, Malik McCalpine, Chris Carter, Michael Thomas, Landon Couch, Justin Hedges, Lindsay Mink, and Grant Ray.