Utah Tech Trailblazers Stumble Against Abilene Christian
Nov 4, 2023, 4:11 PM
(Courtesy of Utah Tech Athletics)
(Courtesy of Utah Tech Athletics)
ST. GEORGE, Utah – Utah Tech’s defense did its best to keep the game close but an ineffective Trailblazers offense led to a 24-7 setback in Texas.
Utah Tech fell to 2-7 with the loss Abilene Christian on Saturday, November 4.
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL:
ACU – 24
Utah Tech – 7
FINAL— BCH Sports (@BCHsports) November 4, 2023
Kobe Tracy threw for 230 yards, one touchdown, and one fourth-quarter interception that ended any hopes UTT had of a comeback. Rickie Johnson caught nine passes for 81 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
Will Leota led the Trailblazers with eight tackles. Brevin Hamblin finished with the first sack of his collegiate career.
First Quarter
The Trailblazers took the opening kickoff but punted after picking up one first down.
Both teams punted once before Abilene Christian drove 67 yards in 13 plays, eating up 5:43 of game time before QB Maverick McIvor scrambled four yards into the end zone with 1:57 left in the quarter.
ACU TOUCHDOWN‼️ @HannerChevrolet Drive Summary:
13/57/5:43#CDT | #GoWildcats pic.twitter.com/ttxhvHGj39— ACU Football (@ACUFootball) November 4, 2023
Utah Tech gained 75 yards in the period compared to 85 for ACU. The Wildcats averaged 5.3 yards per play in the opening quarter.
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Second Quarter
The Trailblazers answered ACU’s scoring drive with an 11-play, 75-yard drive of their own. Kobe Tracy found Rickie Johnson across the middle from four yards out to even the score at seven.
2Q – TOUCHDOWN!! Kobe Tracy play fakes and finds Rickie Johnson over the middle from 4 yards out to pull the Blazers even!#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/vk2FA7h3JN
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) November 4, 2023
McIvor responded by driving the Wildcats 65 yards on 15 plays before connecting with Blayne Taylor for a six-yard touchdown to take a 14-7 lead with 4:57 left in the half.
On third-and-12 on the Trailblazer’s next drive, Tracy hit Keith Davis for 33 yards across the middle to keep the drive alive and get into Wildcat territory. The drive ended with a missed 48-yard Connor Brooksby field goal after a sack on third down forced the long kick attempt.
2Q – HISTORY MADE!! @KobeTracy00 (5,107 yds) becomes Utah Tech's career passing leader on this 33-yard connection to @keithdavis99!!#UtahTechBlazers | #UACFootball pic.twitter.com/70RKxU0GFD
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) November 4, 2023
ACU took a 14-7 lead into the locker room.
Third Quarter
Both teams looked flat in the early going of the second half, trading punts on four straight drives.
Abilene Christian finally took advantage of good field position, converting a short drive into a 47-yard field goal to increase its advantage to 17-7 midway through the period,
4️⃣7️⃣ yard FIELD GOALLL‼️‼️@HannerChevrolet Drive Summary:
6/16/1:53#CDT | #GoWildcats pic.twitter.com/kF3nqsHNGj— ACU Football (@ACUFootball) November 4, 2023
The Trailblazers advanced into ACU territory but came up empty, ultimately turning the football over on downs for a second time.
Despite starting four possessions at their own 40-yard line or better in the period, Abilene Christian couldn’t solve the UTT defense. The Wildcats gained 18 total yards and one first down in the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The Wildcats took control in the final quarter. McIvor led his team on a 90-yard drive that spanned 7:50, finding Taelyn Williams for a five-yard touchdown and a 24-7 lead.
ACU held on down the stretch for a 17-point win.
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Utah Tech (2-7, 1-3) takes on the Austin Peay Governors (6-2, 3-0) on Saturday, November 11 at Fortera Stadium in Clarksville, Tennessee. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon (MT).
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