It took overtime but UT Permian Basin Football was able to come away victorious over Simon Fraser on Homecoming.
Dylan Graham threw for 301 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the effort. He had it going once again with
MJ Link who finished with eight catches for 141 yards and a score while
Gunnar Abseck had 104 yards on seven catches and a touchdown. They had the ground game going with
Antonio Malone rushing for 110 yards.
The Falcon offense came out on fire and scored first for the first time this season. Graham was 8-for-8 on the opening drive, connecting with
Marcus Molina four times before finding Abseck on a 19-yard score. On their next drive the Falcons took their time getting down field. With the ball on the 11, the Falcons ran a trick play that ended with Link throwing a touchdown pass to
Brock Johnson to take a two-score lead. After a good punt pinned the Falcons on their own four, Link's big-play ability got them back on the board. Link caught a pass down the sideline before weaving between defenders on his way to a 93-yard touchdown. A late drive to end the half ended at the one on an interception but the Falcons led 21-9.
After the Red Leafs cut the lead to 21-16 the Falcons added to their lead early in the fourth. They got things going on a 43-yard strike to Abseck over the middle to get deep in the red zone. After the Falcons were stopped inside the five,
Carson Roberts booted a 20-yard field goal to go up by eight. The Red Leafs answered with a touchdown of their own and a two-point conversion, to tie things at 24 and send it to overtime.
The Falcons got the ball first in overtime and took to the ground outside a 10-yard completion to
Malik Jackson. At the end of it,
Kory Harris punched it in for his second touchdown of the season, both coming in overtime. From there the defense took over with
EJ Gisa picking up a sack to force third-and-long before
Victor Idusuyi ended the night with a sack of his own.
The defense forced five sacks on the night, with
Jalon Rocquemore,
Hayden Kelly, and
Tyson Carter joining Gisa and Idusuyi. Kelly led the team in tackles with seven.
Ashton Levells had the team's only turnover with an interception in the second quarter.
Up next for the Falcons is a trip to the coast to play No. 22 Texas A&M - Kingsville. Download the UTPB Athletics App to follow the team all season long.
