Union’s Late Comeback Falls Short Against Bluefield to End the Season

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Union Commonwealth University's football team (3-6, 2-4 AAC) fell to Bluefield University (4-6, 3-3 AAC) on Saturday night at Mitchell Stadium, 33-28.

Last season, the Bulldogs fell to Bluefield 20-7 at Williamson Stadium, and this year the Rams prevailed again. Turnovers proved decisive as Bluefield held a 2-0 advantage in the takeaway margin.

Game Recap

First Quarter: Bluefield 6, Union Commonwealth 0
Bluefield posted the only points of the opening quarter. After forcing a Union fumble early in the period, the Rams marched on a 19-play drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ethan Cash to wide receiver Marlin Haywood on fourth-and-goal. Their two-point try was unsuccessful, giving Bluefield a 6-0 lead with 1:16 remaining.

Union ended the quarter with possession following a five-play drive.

Second Quarter: Bluefield 20, Union Commonwealth 7
The Bulldogs opened the quarter by finishing off their drive from the first period. Running back Tajii Jackson punched in a 1-yard touchdown to give Union a 7-6 lead after kicker Jayce Gager's extra point with 11:06 left in the half.

Bluefield answered with a 12-play scoring drive. Cash connected with wide receiver Christian Mack on a 9-yard touchdown, and kicker Dylan Ausley added the extra point to put the Rams back ahead 13-7 with 5:17 remaining.

The Rams added another score late in the half. Running back Marquavion Rosser rushed for a 4-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 20-7 with 1:17 left. Neither team scored again before halftime.

Third Quarter: Bluefield 20, Union Commonwealth 14
Both defenses held firm through most of the third quarter. Union finally broke through when quarterback Cooper Wick found tight end Jayden Bratcher for a 27-yard touchdown with 5:46 left. Gager added the extra point to cut the deficit to 20-14.

Neither team scored again in the quarter.

Fourth Quarter: Bluefield 33, Union Commonwealth 28
Bluefield opened the final period by capping a 13-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run from Kyree Edwards, pushing the lead to 27-14 after Ausley's extra point.

After a pair of punts, Union responded. On first-and-10 from the Bluefield 23, Wick hit tight end Jayden Bratcher for a touchdown with 6:50 left. Gager's PAT was no good, making the deficit to 27-20.

Union then executed a successful onside kick, taking over at its own 44. The Bulldogs pieced together a 12-play drive that ended with an 8-yard touchdown run by Jackson. Quarterback Bryson Grabowski converted the two-point attempt on a keeper, giving Union a 28-27 lead with 2:04 remaining.

But the Rams mounted the game-winning drive. Starting from their own 32, Bluefield used 10 plays to reach the Union 1, where Edwards scored his second touchdown with 25 seconds left. The two-point attempt failed, keeping the score at 33-28.

Union had one last chance, but Wick's pass was intercepted by defensive back Tarell Sablon with 21 seconds remaining, sealing the Bulldogs' season-ending loss.

By the Numbers
Union led in the following categories:

• Receiving yards: 221
  

• Yards per play: 5.89
  

• Kick return yards: 100 (5 attempts)
  

Notable Numbers

• Jackson ran for 95 yards and two touchdowns.
• Wick threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns.

Up Next

With the regular season complete, the Bulldogs enter the offseason to prepare for the 2026 campaign.