Union Football Falls to Reinhardt in AAC Opener

WALESKA, Ga. — The Union Commonwealth University football team (1-3, 0-1 AAC) dropped its Appalachian Athletic Conference opener Saturday, falling 40-16 to Reinhardt (2-3, 1-0 AAC).

Last season, Union lost to the Eagles 49-21 on Nov. 16.

Game Recap

First Quarter: Reinhardt 14, Union 8
Reinhardt received the opening kickoff and needed just three plays to score. Starting at its own 27-yard line, running back Jah Colbert rushed twice for 20 yards before quarterback Ethan Rice broke free for a 53-yard touchdown. Kicker Alex Hanson converted the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

After a Union three-and-out, the Eagles scored again on a nine-play, 55-yard drive capped by running back Jamarion Walker's 4-yard touchdown run, making it 14-0.

Union responded late in the quarter when defensive back Keke McMurry intercepted quarterback JTaylor Jackson's pass and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Bryson Grabowski added a two-point conversion to trim the deficit to 14-8.

Reinhardt had possession on the Union 18-yard line as the quarter ended.

Second Quarter: Reinhardt 34, Union 16
The Eagles extended their lead early in the quarter with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to wide receiver Xavier Brantley, pushing it to 21-8.

On the next Union possession, quarterback Cooper Wick threw an interception that was returned 23 yards for a touchdown by defensive back Markell Sutton, making it 28-8.

Union answered with a 14-play, 70-yard drive capped by Grabowski's 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Selatian Straughter. Grabowski again converted the two-point attempt to cut it to 28-16.

Reinhardt added one more score before halftime, with Jackson scrambling in from two yards out. Hanson missed the extra point, and the Eagles led 34-16 at the break.

Third Quarter: Reinhardt 34, Union 16
Neither team scored in the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter: Reinhardt 40, Union 16
Reinhardt extended its lead with two field goals in the final period. Hanson connected from 35 yards and 33 yards out to secure the 40-16 victory.

By the Numbers
Union led in return yards, finishing with 146 compared to Reinhardt's 69. The Bulldogs also converted 37 percent of third downs, ahead of the Eagles' 30 percent.

Record Breaker

Grabowski broke an Appalachian Athletic Conference record with the most two-point conversions in a season with four. He also tied the record for the most two-point conversions in a game with two of them as well.

Up Next
Union returns to Williamson Stadium for its second conference game Saturday, Oct. 11, against Point. Kickoff is set for noon.