rahmaan
Urbana Athletics
41
Urbana URBANA 3-3 , 2-3
51
Winner UVa-Wise WISE 4-2 , 4-2
Urbana URBANA
3-3 , 2-3
41
Final
51
UVa-Wise WISE
4-2 , 4-2
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
URBANA Urbana 7 7 7 20 41
WISE UVa-Wise 7 7 21 16 51

Game Recap: Football | | @UrbanaU_Sports

UU Streak Snapped at Wise; Rahmaan Grabs Three TDs

WISE, Va. – Urbana (3-3, 2-3 MEC) had its win streak snapped after a 51-41 road loss to UVa-Wise (4-2, 4-2 MEC) Saturday inside Carl Smith Stadium. UU sophomore wideout Rodell Rahmaan hauled three touchdowns but it wasn't enough for the Blue and Grey.

UU struggled to find consistency on offense, while the host Cavaliers, despite five turnovers, put up the highest point total against UU this season including 16 points on defense and special teams. UVa-Wise true freshman quarterback Jarome Johnson (13-28, 245 yds, 3 TD, Int, 55 rush yds) used his scrambling ability to avoid the nation's top-ranked unit in sacks.

The Blue Knights never led, but tied the game twice with the halftime score even at 14-14. Out of the break, Wise returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and then recovered a fumble on the ensuing UU return to set up another score to make it 28-14.

Trevon Saunders made up for his fumble by returning the next kickoff 100 yards for a score. But, the Cavs led by as much as 17 when they went ahead 44-27 on a safety with 8:04 left in the game.

The Blue Knights didn't go down quietly and put together a furious comeback to get within three, 44-41. Tajuan Green's fourth touchdown pass of the day found Philip Dozier from 19 yards out to make it a one-possession game with 3:19 remaining.

After a penalty on the onside-kick attempt, Wise began a drive at the UU 17 looking to run the clock out. On second down, UU had an opportunity to get the ball back when Wise backup QB Jake Sturgill fumbled, but it turned out to be the only time UU could not jump on the ball. Then, the Cavs broke off a 28-yard TD run on the next play.

Stat of the game:
Urbana finished 3 for 16 (18.8%) on third-down conversion attempts while UVa-Wise converted 12 of 17 (70.6%) third-down plays into first downs.

Turning point:
UVa-Wise scored twice in under two minutes right after halftime to go up 28-14, including a 99-yard kick return and a touchdown off a UU fumble.

It was over when:
Tajuan Green was sacked on back-to-back plays in Wise territory to force a UU turnover on downs with under a minute left. The Blue Knights had reached the Wise 19 after starting the final drive at their own 35 with 2:18 remaining.

Star of the game:
Rodell Rahmaan – 4 catches, 55 yards, 3 receiving touchdowns

You should note:
  • Urbana football has never won three consecutive road games.
  • UU failed to score off three of Wise's five turnovers, including two in the first half that resulted in a missed field goal and goal-line stop by the Cavs on fourth down.
  • The Blue Knights came up empty in the red zone three times (4-7).
  • UU was limited to season lows in rushing yards and total yards.
  • UU surrendered season-highs in points, rushing yards, total yards, passing TDs, first downs and sacks.
  • The last time a UU receiver had three TD catches happened in last year's game against UVa-Wise (Kelly Carter).
  • Maurice Warren Jr. ran for 51 yards in the first quarter but finished with just 64 overall. He registered the longest rush by a Blue Knight this season with a career-long 32-yard gain.
  • Trevon Saunders tied the school record with a 100-yard kick return, the first of his career, and the first kick return for a TD by a Blue Knight since Oct. 11, 2014 (Kelly Carter). Saunders now has a punt return and kick return for a TD this season.
  • Green passed for a season high four TDs and ran for another to finish with five TDs for the second straight year against UVa-Wise.
  • UU has recovered nine fumbles and three interceptions in the past two games.
  • Andre Cliff produced a career-long 57-yard punt return in the third quarter.
  • Wilky Orelien registered his first sack as a Blue Knight.
  • Philip Dozier caught his first career TD for 19 yards in the fourth quarter.
 
Up next:
UU returns home next Saturday to host its Hall of Fame Day against Notre Dame (OH) in a 1 p.m. kickoff inside UU Stadium. The Falcons (5-1, 5-1 MEC) are in second place in the MEC standings after edging Fairmont State, 19-14.

 
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