For the second straight week, Urbana University’s football team suffered a three-point loss in a heartbreaking 24-21 setback Saturday to Fairmont State at UU Stadium. UU falls to 0-2 on the season while the visiting Fighting Falcons improved to 1-1.
UU senior wide receiver Trevon Saunders caught six passes for 127 yards and one score while senior quarterback Tajuan Green went 13 of 23 for 202 yards and two passing touchdowns to lead UU. On defense, Duray Hall led the way with 10 tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and two stops for a loss.
Fairmont State quarterback Jajuan Young-Battle finished the day 16 of 33 for 261 yards and two scores to lead the visitors.
After trailing 17-9 at halftime, the Blue Knights marched down the field on their first possession and tied the game on an 11-play, 58-yard drive capped by a five-yard TD pass from Green to Trey McFadden. A successful two-point conversion evened the score at 17-17 with 9:35 left in the third.
Both teams missed a field-goal attempt and entered the fourth quarter still tied. That’s when UU seized control of the game with a 12-play, 91-yard drive resulting in a go-ahead touchdown catch by Rodell Rahmaan, the first of his career. Green found the sophomore receiver in the back of the end zone from two yards out and UU led 24-17 with 5:34 to go.
On the following possession, UU came up with a huge takeaway with 4:04 remaining after Jeremiah Fuller recovered a fumble on FSU’s third-down play.
However, the Blue Knights weren’t able to move the ball and punted right back to the Falcons with just over two minutes left. Four plays later, lightning struck as FSU came up with a long touchdown pass to knot the score again at 24-24. Young-Battle found wide receiver Jeff Iweh streaking wide open down the middle for a 60-yard strike resulting from a blown coverage by the UU secondary.
Plenty of time remained for UU after taking over with 1:29 to go. But, the third UU fumble of the day occurred on the second play and FSU recovered at the UU 24. The visitors were able to run the clock down and Sam Keil kicked the game-winning field goal from 45 yards out.
Prior to the kick, it appeared FSU had botched the hold but a flag was thrown which pushed the Falcons back five yards.
UU plays at Lake Erie College on Saturday at 3 p.m.
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