Union Football Falls on the Road to Pikeville

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – Union Commonwealth University's football team (3-5, 2-3 AAC) fell to Pikeville (3-5, 3-1 AAC) on Saturday night at the Hambley Athletic Complex 49-14.

Pikeville controlled the game from start to finish, keeping Union scoreless until the fourth quarter. The Bears scored touchdowns on five of their first six drives, building a lead too large for the Bulldogs to overcome.

Game Recap

First Quarter: Pikeville 14, Union Commonwealth 0
Pikeville opened the game with a nine-play, 56-yard drive capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Xavier Malone to wide receiver Brandon Newton. Kicker Isaac Smith added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

After Union turned the ball over on downs near midfield, the Bears struck again. Malone connected with Newton on a 31-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 14-0 with 4:55 remaining in the quarter. Neither team scored for the rest of the period.

Second Quarter: Pikeville 35, Union Commonwealth 7
The Bears continued their momentum early in the second quarter as Malone rushed for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 21-0.

After another Union three-and-out, Pikeville marched 43 yards in six plays, with Malone again finding Newton—his third touchdown connection of the game—to push the lead to 28-0.

Union's defense finally broke through when linebacker Santana Smith intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. Kicker Jayce Gager converted the extra point to cut the deficit to 28-7.

Pikeville quickly responded on its next possession, as Malone hit tight end Grant Scott for a 34-yard touchdown to make it 35-7 with 4:29 left in the half. A late Pikeville field goal attempt from 48 yards was no good, and the Bears took their 28-point lead into halftime.

Third Quarter: Pikeville 49, Union Commonwealth 7
Union opened the second half with a promising drive but failed to convert on fourth down at the Pikeville 45. After forcing Pikeville's first punt of the day, Union's offense again stalled, giving the Bears another opportunity.

Pikeville answered with an 11-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Malone to wide receiver Jordan Williams, extending the lead to 42-7.

On Union's next drive, quarterback Cooper Wick was intercepted by linebacker Najmir Bellegarde, setting up another short field for the Bears. Malone found Scott for their second touchdown connection of the day, pushing the lead to 49-7.

Fourth Quarter: Pikeville 49, Union Commonwealth 14
Union broke through in the fourth quarter with a six-play, 53-yard drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown run from running back Tajii Jackson. Gager's extra point made it 49-14. Jackson led the drive with 44 rushing yards, including a 33-yard run.

Neither team scored for the remainder of the game.

By the Numbers
Union led in the following categories:

• Total Return Yards: 204
  

• Sacks: 1
  

• Rushing Yards: 89
  

Jackson led the Bulldogs with 75 rushing yards and one touchdown on 18 carries.

Up Next
Union will travel to Bluefield, West Virginia, for its final game of the season against Bluefield on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 4 p.m.