Utah Tech’s Defense Holds On Final Play To Win Shootout
Oct 29, 2022, 5:10 PM
(Courtesy of Utah Tech Athletics)
(Courtesy of Utah Tech Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Tech Trailblazers won their second football game of the season after holding off the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks on the final play of a shootout.
The Lumberjacks hosted the Trailblazers at Homer Bryce Stadium in Nacogdoches, Texas on Saturday, October 29.
Utah Tech beat Stephen F. Austin, 47-44.
The Lumberjacks had the ball on the Utah Tech one-yard line with one second remaining in the fourth quarter and kept their offense on the field rather than kick a potential game-tying field goal to send the game into overtime. The Trailblazers called a pair of timeouts and the Lumberjacks kept their offense on the gridiron for the final play. Stephen F. Austin attempted a pass over the middle that fell incomplete and Utah Tech earned its second win of 2022.
TRAILBLAZERS WIN!!! The Blazers stop No. 19 @SFA_Football on the 1-yard line with 1 second left to knock off the ranked Lumberjacks!#UtahTechBlazers #WACfb pic.twitter.com/tz5CSTplDr
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) October 29, 2022
It’s the first time the Blazers have tasted victory since their win over Chadron State on September 10.
Stephen F. Austin scored 21 points over the final 15 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Utah Tech’s defense stand in the final minute.
With 47 seconds left in the game, Trailblazers quarterback Victor Gabalis completed a pass to Joey Hobert for 14 yards and six points. The play put Utah Tech in front for the final score.
4Q – TOUCHDOWN!!! Victor Gabalis with his FIFTH TD pass of the day and his THIRD to Joey Hobert! This one from 14 yards out with 47 seconds left gives the Blazers a 47-44 lead!#UtahTechBlazers #WACfb pic.twitter.com/awFysyEd4B
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) October 29, 2022
The Trailblazers scored at least 10 points in each quarter of the contest, including 14 points in the fourth.
Gabalis finished the game 25/35 passing for 377 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception. Hobert led Utah Tech’s receivers with nine catches for 109 yards and three touchdowns. Quali Conley was the Trailblazers’ leading rusher with 23 carries for 131 yards and a touchdown.
1Q – TOUCHDOWN! Trailblazers capitalize on the SFA miscue as Victor Gabalis finds Joey Hobert on the fade to put Utah Tech on the board!#UtahTechBlazers #WACfb pic.twitter.com/25q3XngYgh
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) October 29, 2022
Jerrell Wimbley led the Lumberjacks with a pair of touchdown runs.
With the win, the Blazers improved their record to 2-6 this season, including 1-4 on the road.
Utah Tech’s next game is at home against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Saturday, November 5 at 6 p.m. (MDT). The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
