Failed Two-Point Try Dooms Utah Tech Football Against North Alabama
Oct 21, 2023, 10:06 PM | Updated: Oct 23, 2023, 1:18 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Tech football team fell short in its comeback attempt with a failed two-point attempt in the final minute against the North Alabama Lions.
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Utah Tech falls against North Alabama
The Lions hosted the Trailblazers at Braly Municipal Stadium in Florence, Alabama on Saturday, October 21.
The Trailblazers came into the contest after having a bye in Week 7. The extra week wasn’t enough as the Blazers fell a couple of points short of victory.
Utah Tech lost to North Alabama, 31-30.
Final from Florence.#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/NcGkL9nOG8
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) October 22, 2023
After trailing by double-digits in the first half, the Trailblazers nearly pulled off a second half comeback against the Lions.
The Lions opened the contest with a 20-yard touchdown run only 2:36 into the evening.
North Alabama stretched its lead to 10-0 with a 36-yard field goal during the opening minutes of the second quarter. The Trailblazers finally got onto the scoreboard with a 17-yard pass from Kobe Tracy to Rickie Johnson with 4:28 to play until halftime. The Tracy-Johnson connection cut North Alabama’s lead to 17-7.
2Q – … a Kobe Tracy-to-Rickie Johnson 17-yard TOUCHDOWN three plays later. With the PAT to Blazers cut the deficit to 10-7 with under 5 minutes to play in the first half!#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/u4FOYzHbwW
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) October 22, 2023
However, the Lions replied with an 18-yard touchdown run to push their lead back to 10 points with 2:26 remaining in the second quarter.
As the game clock expired before the break, Connor Brooksby connected on a 32-yard field goal to cut North Alabama’s lead to 17-10 at halftime.
In the opening minutes of the second half, Utah Tech’s Ronnie Walker Jr. broke across the goal line for a one-yard touchdown run to tie that game at 17-17.
3Q – You know what's better than having one 99-yd TD drive? Having TWO! Ronnie Walker Jr. cashes in the Blazers' SECOND 99-yard TD drive of the night with his third TD of the year to tie the game at 17-17!#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/V04WU9mtgQ
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) October 22, 2023
Late in the third quarter, Dennis Moody gave the lead back to the Lions with a goal line touchdown run.
With 6:11 to go, the Trailblazers began their fourth quarter comeback attempt on a four-yard touchdown pass from Tracy to Beau Sparks. The score knotted the scoreboard at 24-24.
4Q – TOUCHDOWN!! Kobe Tracy rolls right and finds Beau Sparks, who taps his left foot down with ball in the back of the end zone for his team leading 5th TD of the year. Blazers tie the game at 24-24 with 6:11 to play in Florence!#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/v5lD4gX4c1
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) October 22, 2023
With 1:37 to play, the Lions took the lead on a 28-yard touchdown pass.
With 31 seconds remaining, the Trailblazers scored a touchdown on a 19-yard connection between Tracy and Beau Sparks. However, the Trailblazers decided to go for two and the win instead of kicking a game-tying PAT.
Utah Tech’s two-point try failed and the Trailblazers suffered a one-point loss.
4Q – 00:31 TOUCHDOWN!! Kobe Tracy over the middle to Beau Sparks. Blazers cut the lead to 31-30, but the 2 pt conversion try fails. Time for and onside kick late in Florence! #UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/TWX69Is56e
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) October 22, 2023
Up next for Utah Tech football
With the loss, the Trailblazers dropped to a record of 2-5 this season, including 1-1 in United Athletic Conference action.
Utah Tech’s next game is at home against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels on Saturday, October 28 at 6 p.m. (MDT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com. He’s also co-host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on X/Twitter (@kyleireland), Instagram (@kyleirelandksl), and Threads (@kyleirelandksl).
