The Bears looked to extend their winning streak to three games but failed to do so in a 34-21 loss to Utah Tech on Nov. 2.
Utah Tech got the ball first, and after five completed passes by redshirt freshman quarterback Reggie Graff, the Trailblazers found themselves in UCA territory.
Three plays later, Graff completed a 20 pass to redshirt junior tight end Eni Falayi which put Utah Tech in the red zone. The Bears’ defense was ultimately able to hold the Trailblazers to a field goal, making the score 3-0 Utah Tech with nine minutes left in the first quarter.
The Bears’ first drive started smoothly, picking up three first downs and moving the ball almost to midfield. Disaster then struck after senior quarterback Will McElvain’s pass was intercepted by sophomore defensive back Scooter Jackson, resulting in a first down for the Trailblazers on their own 20-yard line.
Fortunately for UCA, Utah Tech’s drive resulted in a punt.
Nobody scored again until the second quarter when Graff completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Falayi, making it a 10-0 Utah Tech lead.
The Bears would strike back later in the quarter with two quick passes to senior wide receiver Trejan Bridges, followed by a 53-yard touchdown run by senior running back Darius Hale. The point-after-kick made the score 10-7 Utah Tech.
On the kickoff after the touchdown, the Trailblazers got a 60-yard return by redshirt senior running back Shamar Garrett, putting Utah Tech in a position to score.
The Trailblazers eventually got all the way down to the 1-yard line, and after a few red zone stops by the Bears’ defense, Utah Tech was in a fourth-down scenario.
The Trailblazers decided to go for it on fourth down and as a result of the play, they got the touchdown.
The point-after-kick made the score 17-7 Utah Tech.
UCA got the ball back, only to give it up two plays into the drive after McElvain was sacked for a loss of 28 yards, followed by a fumble, which gave the Trailblazers the ball at the UCA 5-yard line.
Utah Tech was able to easily score the touchdown after a 2-yard touchdown reception by Garrett, extending their lead 24-7.
UCA got the ball back right before halftime but was unable to score.
It took until about halfway through the third quarter for another team to score. This time it was UCA after a long drive that resulted in a 3-yard touchdown run for Hale.
This made the score 24-14 Utah Tech.
The Bears scored one more time on another touchdown reception for Bridges, but ultimately, this wouldn’t be enough to catch up to the Trailblazers, losing the game 34-21.
UCA will be back on the road in Eastern Kentucky at 4 p.m. Nov. 9.