Blue Knights Derailed by Fairmont State, 48-14

Box Score

FAIRMONT, W. Va. – The Urbana Blue Knights fell on the road in Saturday's football game against Fairmont State by a final score of 48-14. After scoring on its opening two drives to lead the undefeated Falcons early on at Duvall-Rosier Field, UU's offense stalled and the Falcons took advantage of three Blue Knight turnovers.

RECORDS UPDATE
Urbana fell to 1-4 on the season with all five games being played against league opponents, so far. Fairmont State remains unbeaten at 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the Mountain East Conference.

TURNING POINT
Both teams got off to a great start offensively, but the turning point came after Urbana's second touchdown which gave the Blue Knights the early lead, 14-7. Right after that score, Fairmont State responded by tying the game on a touchdown, going 73 yards on eight plays, and then proceeded to pile up a total of 41 unanswered points. The Falcons were efficient by scoring points on eight of their 12 drives in the ballgame.

Down 27-14 at halftime, UU stood within striking distance and worked its way to the FSU 13-yard line when it got the ball back in the third quarter. However, an 85-yard interception return by FSU's Stephen Turner deflated any chance for a UU comeback.

Following the pick-six, the Blue Knights got back down to the FSU 12 and quarterback Tajuan Green was intercepted again. This time, the turnover came on a fourth down play as Green heaved a pass to the end zone.

URBANA STANDOUTS

WR Trevon Saunders caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Tajuan Green on the opening drive of the game. It was Saunders' fifth TD grab of the season and 14th for his career, which ties him for fifth all-time on UU's career touchdown receptions chart. He finished with four catches for 45 yards, and also had a 32-yard run. The junior has recorded at least one reception in 18 consecutive games and in 24 of 27 career outings.
TE Larry Southall set career highs in receptions (five) and receiving yards (73), leading UU in both categories. He hauled in a season-long 29-yard catch on UU's second scoring drive of the game.
QB Tajuan Green registered his first career rushing touchdown on a two-yard plunge and led UU with 42 rushing yards. Green made his third career start and saw his first extended playing time since suffering an injury in Week 1.
Green began the game completing his first four passing attempts for 54 yards and a score, but finished the game throwing 6 of 18 for 77 yards and two INTs.
LB Josh Dillard had a career day with 14 total tackles and an interception. Dillard picked off FSU quarterback Hibbs at the UU 29 to end a scoring threat.
Clayton Bullard and Zach Severance each posted a tackle for loss.
LB Duray Hall (13 tackles) and DB Chris Richardson (9 tackles) also had career highs.
Brandon Purk continued his strong performance this season with two more 50-plus yard punts. He averaged a season-best 46.20 yards per kick.

TEAM STATS

Fairmont State scored on 8 of 12 drives during the game
UU was outgained 533-296
There was only one sack the entire game, which came on the final play of the first half when FSU's Quincy Redmon took down Green for a loss of eight yards
UU was flagged for a season-low two penalties for 15 yards (false start and holding)

UP NEXT
Urbana will host its only non-conference opponent, Cincinnati Christian University (0-6), for a 1 p.m. kickoff at UU Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 8. The Eagles are a first-year program and coached by former NFL Pro-Bowler David Fulcher.

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Players Mentioned

#91 Clayton Bullard: DE; 6' 4"; Junior

#39 Josh Dillard: LB; 6' 1"; Junior

#2 Tajuan Green: QB; 6' 0"; Junior

#55 Duray Hall: LB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman

#17 Brandon Purk: K; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#18 Chris Richardson: DB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman

#4 Trevon Saunders: WR; 5' 8"; Junior

#31 Zach Severance: DB; 6' 0"; Senior

#84 Larry Southall: TE; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#91 Clayton Bullard
: 6' 4"; Junior
: DE

#39 Josh Dillard
: 6' 1"; Junior
: LB

#2 Tajuan Green
: 6' 0"; Junior
: QB

#55 Duray Hall
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Freshman
: LB

#17 Brandon Purk
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: K

#18 Chris Richardson
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Freshman
: DB

#4 Trevon Saunders
: 5' 8"; Junior
: WR

#31 Zach Severance
: 6' 0"; Senior
: DB

#84 Larry Southall
: 6' 2"; Senior
: TE