UT Permian Basin Football waited 469 days to take the field and the wait was worth it. The Falcons scored on their opening drive and never looked back, cruising to a 33-14 opening day win over Southern Nazarene. Quarterback
Clayton Roberts threw for four touchdowns to tie the school single game record for touchdown passes. The Falcon secondary was suffocating, with
D'Ondre Robinson picking off a pair of passes, while the defense forced nine quarterback hurries.
On the opening drive Roberts found
Kobe Robinson for a 22-yard strike and the early lead. Both defenses settled in not allowing either offense to get going.
The Falcons opened the second quarter the same as the first, a touchdown. The connection of Roberts to
MJ Link was key. Roberts and Link connected for a 44-yard strike to the Crimson Storm 31. Later in the drive they connected for an 18-yard touchdown to go up 14-0. The Crimson Storm had their best chance at the end of the half, but a terrific tackle inbounds by
Justen Campbell ran out the remainder of the clock.
The Crimson Storm climbed back into the game with a touchdown on their opening drive of the second half. The Falcons would force a turnover on downs to get the ball at midfield and within striking range. Once again it was Roberts and Link teaming up for their second touchdown of the game and put the Falcons up 20-7. The Falcon special teams unit got involved and blocked a field goal at the end of the third quarter.
Jaques Tyler blocked the field goal and
Nygel King recovered it and returned it to the UTPB 35 as the Falcons went into the fourth quarter up 20-7.
After a SNU score to make it a one score game, UTPB answered right back with one of their own. After a using his legs to get the Falcons downfield, Roberts found
Baylon Ware for a 33-yard strike. Another defensive stop on fourth down the Falcons found pay dirt again. Starting from the Crimson Storm 25, Roberts almost got in the end zone on a 24-yard scramble but was tripped up just short of the goal line. On the next play
Jesiah Whittington found the end zone to increase the lead to the eventual final 33-14.
Clayton Roberts threw for four touchdown passes on only nine completions and rushed for 101 yards on 12 attempts.
MJ Link led all receivers with four receptions, 91 yards and two scores.
Miquon Mayes was all over the field with 12 tackles including three for a loss.
The Falcons will be back in Grande Stadium to face Lincoln at 1 PM in Midland, TX. Download the UTPB Falcons App today to keep up with the Falcons all season long.
