Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Cooley caught the first touchdown of his collegiate career Saturday afternoon and the UT Permian Basin offense had a number of big plays, but it wasn't enough to make up for a 27-0 start by Chadron State in a 43-21 defeat against the Eagles Saturday in non-conference play in Chadron, Neb.

The Falcons defense held the Eagles on their first two scoring drives of the afternoon, keeping Chadron State to a 34-yard field goal and a kick from 32 yards out on their first two drives of the game.

Dalton Holst broke the game open for the Eagles later in the first quarter, throwing three touchdown passes in just over 13 minutes of action to give Chadron State a 27-0 advantage.

UTPB grabbed a score back before halftime, getting to the Chadron State 35-yard line on a 33-yard pass to Cooley where he was able to recover his own fumble. Marquis Simmons rushed for 13 yards to carry the Falcons into the red zone, and three plays later Cooley caught a nine-yard pass from Kameron Mathis for his first touchdown reception.

The Falcons started to put pressure on the Eagles in the third quarter. A 40-yard pass to Davion Sutton on 3rd & 10 moved the offense to the Chadron 42-yard line. Four plays later Mathis connected with Kobe Robinson for a 36-yard touchdown pass.

On the team's next possession, Mathis hit Caleb Forrest for a 66-yard pass on the first play of the drive to take the ball down to the Chadron State 17. Sutton rushed the ball down to the one yard line on three carries, and Mathis plowed in from a yard out to close the gap to six points at 27-21.

Two possessions later, Chadron State returned a Falcon punt 42 yards to the end zone for the score, and the Eagles added on a field goal and a 42 yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.

Mathis ended the game 20-30 passing for 247 yards and a pair of touchdowns with an interception. Forrest had a team-best 66 yards receiving while Robinson added eight catches for 65 yards and a score. Cooley ended the game with 50 yards and a touchdown on four receptions.

Donta Stuart led the Falcon defense with 11 tackles, eight of them solo. Derrian Forge had an interception for four yards and TJ Poloai had a fumble recovery.

UTPB stays on the road next week, returning to Lone Star Conference action against Angelo State in San Angelo, Texas.