RICHMOND, Ky. – A fourth quarter field goal was the difference on Saturday afternoon as UWF fell to Eastern Kentucky, 16-13 in a United Athletic Conference road game.
The loss moves UWF to 4-3 overall and 1-3 in UAC play.
The Argos forced a 3-and-out on EKU's first drive of the fourth quarter and took over at their own 33-yard line. On the first play of the drive
Ty'ray Davis had the ball knocked out of his hand on a drop back pass which was recovered by the Colonels at the UWF 32. The UWF defense made a stand in the redzone highlighted by a third down sack from
Byron Puryear, but EKU was able to capitalize off the turnover with a 33-yard field goal that proved to be the game winner.
"It is a tough loss, said head coach
Kaleb Nobles. "We started off slow. Inexcusable. That's on me. I got to do something different to get these guys woken up and get going fast. We didn't do enough in all three phases."
The UWF offense had an opportunity to put together a drive to tie the game or take the lead with just under nine minutes remaining in the game. The Argos picked up two first downs on the drive as they entered EKU territory, but a sack on third down derailed the drive forcing the Argos to punt. UWF did not see the ball back on offense following the change of possession as the Colonels converted a pair of first downs to then run out the clock.
Travell Wright led a strong defensive unit with 11 tackles including a half a sack.
Ty Conze provided two sacks and another TFL as well as a forced fumble to give the Argos a spark. The defense held EKU to 261 total yards and produced four sacks.
On the other side of the ball, it was a tough afternoon for UWF. The team, which has excelled in the run game all season had just 88 rushing yards on 23 attempts.
Despite the slow start and a 10-0 deficit, the Argos hung around and tied the game up heading into halftime. With 58 seconds remaining in the first half a Davis screen pass to
Luc Carroll went 15 yards for a touchdown. UWF then forced a quick defensive stop to get the ball back. Aided by two 15-yard penalties,
Reid Grek nailed a 43-yard field goal as time expired in the half to tie the game at the break.
Grek connected on another field goal early in the third quarter to give the Argos a 13-10 lead at the time. The score was set up after Conze forced a fumble which was recovered by
Cameron Anderson at the EKU 30.
Davis finished 14-of-32 for 137 yards passing. He also led the team in rushing yards with 45.
UWF will have time to regroup with an upcoming bye week before heading to North Alabama on Nov. 7.
