Straughter Breaks AAC Punt Return Record in Union’s Loss to Faulkner
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Faulkner (AL) (3-1) | 14 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 41 |
|
Union Commonwealth (1-2) | 0 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 15 |
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. — Union Commonwealth University's football team (1-2) fell to Faulkner (3-1) on Saturday afternoon at Williamson Stadium, 41-15.
Despite the loss, Union wide receiver Selatian Straughter broke the Appalachian Athletic Conference record for longest punt return, taking one back 79 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.
The previous record was 74 yards, set by Reinhardt's Gage Stephens against Faulkner on Aug. 31, 2023. Union's all-time longest punt return remains a 91-yard return by Mike Jones against Hanover in 1987.
Game Recap
First Quarter: Faulkner 14, Union 0
Faulkner opened the game with a 10-play drive, capped by a touchdown pass from quarterback Kam Wellington to tight end Austin Gregory. After a blocked Union field goal attempt, the Eagles struck again on a 19-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Eli Moore to wide receiver Deuce Marshall, making it 14-0 at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter: Faulkner 28, Union 7
Faulkner extended its lead to 21-0 after Moore connected with tight end Gage Mims on a 15-yard score. Union responded with a 78-yard drive, ending in a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cooper Wick to Straughter.
But Faulkner immediately answered when Davian Liddell returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown, giving the Eagles a 28-7 halftime lead.
Third Quarter: Faulkner 38, Union 15
Straughter provided a spark for Union in the third quarter, returning a punt 79 yards for a touchdown. The Bulldogs converted the 2-point try to cut the deficit to 28-15.
Faulkner responded with a 2-yard touchdown run from Robin Harris and a 27-yard field goal from Jacob Huff, stretching the lead to 38-15 heading into the fourth.
Fourth Quarter: Faulkner 41, Union 15
Huff added another field goal late in the fourth quarter, and Faulkner's defense kept Union scoreless the rest of the way to seal the 41-15 victory.
Check out the Access Health Player of the Game here.
Up Next
Union travels to Ken White Field in Waleska, Georgia, to face Reinhardt in its AAC opener Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m.
