SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – Urbana University scored on the opening drive for the sixth straight game, but couldn’t keep up with Notre Dame College in a 35-14 loss at Mueller Field Saturday afternoon.
UU dipped to 3-7 on the year and will close out the season at home next week against Mountain East Conference champion No. 5 Shepherd. Notre Dame improves to 8-2 overall.
After both teams scored on their opening drives for a 7-7 score in the first quarter, Notre Dame scored twice in the second to go ahead 21-7 at halftime. The Blue Knights had a chance to get within a touchdown right before the break, but a shot for the end zone on a first-down play in NDC territory was intercepted at the Falcon five-yard line.
Four different players hauled down at least four receptions for UU. Kelly Carter had six grabs for a team-high 77 yards and a touchdown while Trevon Saunders also caught six balls for 44 yards. It was the first game since Week 4 against West Liberty that Saunders was kept out of the end zone. In addition, Eric Pelfrey had four catches for a career-high 60 yards and Larry Southall pulled down four catches for 42 yards.
On defense, Duray Hall secured a career-best 19 total tackles. The redshirt freshman linebacker had nine solo stops and assisted on 10 tackles while recording one tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
Linebacker Carlton Rematt had 13 tackles with a half sack along with Onajai Davenport. The duo took down NDC quarterback Malik Grove on a key third-down stop early in the second quarter. In addition, Zach Severance posted 12 tackles and Clayton Bullard recorded a sack with seven tackles.
UU quarterbacks Tajuan Green and Marcus Graham each accounted for a touchdown. Green plunged through the line on a fourth-and-goal play to cap a 15-play opening drive to put UU up 7-0. Green leads UU with five rushing scores on the year. Graham took over behind center in the second half, going 9 of 19 for 95 yards and a touchdown pass. He connected with Carter on the first play of the fourth quarter for a 13-yard score, which was his first TD toss in a Blue Knight uniform.
UU was outgained, 405-256, in total offense
Kickoff in the season finale on Saturday is set for 1 p.m. against Shepherd at UU Stadium.
