UNA falls in overtime heartbreaker at Utah Tech

ST. GEORGE, Utah – The University of North Alabama put together a valiant comeback effort in the fourth quarter on the road against Utah Tech on Saturday, but a missed extra point in overtime led to a heartbreaking 34-33 loss in United Athletic Conference action.

Down 20-13 heading to the final quarter, North Alabama (2-7, 1-4 UAC) scored back-to-back touchdowns and took a 27-20 lead with 6:11 remaining. Utah Tech (2-7, 1-4 UAC) tied the game up with about four minutes left, and both defenses battled to a stalemate in regulation.

The Lions started with the ball and got couple of runs from Destin Wade for six. Wade finished with four touchdowns, including three rushing. However, the extra point hit off the left post. Utah Tech took over next and the Lions nearly had them beat on fourth down. A 15-yard pass kept the game alive.

After two stops, the Trailblazers got a touchdown run from Asa Chapman on third and goal to tie the game. Kicker Ilya Uvaydov then split the uprights to send the crowd home happy.

The win for Utah Tech avenges a one-point loss two seasons ago, as the Lions stopped a potential go-ahead two-point conversion to win 31-30 at Braly Stadium in 2023. UNA also won last season’s meeting by a 60-14 final. Today is the first win for Utah Tech in the series history.

The aura of St. George’s desert backdrop did not distract quarterback Destin Wade, as the redshirt sophomore quarterback finished with 303 combined yards. He rushed 16 times for 100 yards, marking his second career 100-yard rushing game. He also went 14-for-32 through the air with one touchdown and one interception.

Redshirt senior Tanaka Scott set a career-high in receiving yardage with four catches for 136 yards and a touchdown. His longest catch came on a trick play in the fourth quarter, going 91 yards to tie the game. He also racked up 75 yards after catches.

Redshirt senior running back Jayvian Allen had his second 100-yard rushing game of the season, running 25 times for 102 yards. This matches his career-high in rushing last set at Abilene Christian. He’s had double digit carries in each of the last six games, but this marks his first game with 20 or more carries since coming to UNA last season.

The defense was led by junior Seth Hampton with nine tackles. Redshirt junior Brian Dilworth had a key interception in the fourth quarter for a red zone stop with help from a tipped pass by Anthony Young.

FIRST QUARTER

• North Alabama 6, Utah Tech 0: The Lions had the first strike in a high-scoring first quarter, as Destin Wade engineered an impressive nine-play, 87-yard drive after a tough starting spot on the opening kickoff. Wade finished the drive with an electric 31-yard run. An unsuccessful two-point conversion pass kept the score at 6-0 with 11:39 on the clock.
• Utah Tech 7, North Alabama 6: After UNA finished a scoring drive that took 3:16 off the clock, Utah Tech drove down in similar fashion. The Trailblazers used nine plays over 3:21 to score on a 35-yard run by Bretton Stone. The PAT made it 7-6 with 8:12 left in the quarter.
• North Alabama 13, Utah Tech 7: The next UNA possession started in prime field position after a 78-yard kickoff return by redshirt senior Justin Luke down the home sideline. The Lions started at the Utah Tech 22 yard line and needed just four plays to punch it in. Redshirt senior Jalyn Daniels took a sweep play 11-yards and tip-toed inside the pylon for the score. Chandler Dixon made the PAT to make it 13-7 with 6:51 on the clock.
• Utah Tech 14, North Alabama 13: The scoring fest continued on Utah Tech’s second possession, as Bronson Barben launched a deep pass to Daniel Thomason down the home sideline for what turned into a 66-yard touchdown. The extra point put Utah Tech up one with 6:06 on the clock.
• Utah Tech 17, North Alabama 13: The Trailblazers attempted a surprise onside kick and recovered it near midfield to steal away a bit of momentum. However, the Lions limited the damage with a key third down stop by Brian Dilworth. Utah Tech settled for a 50-yard field goal with 2:56 left in the quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

• Utah Tech 20, North Alabama 13: The Lions had a couple of promising possessions in the second quarter, but came away empty handed. This started on 4th-and-2 at the five yard line, as UNA elected to go for it. A botched snap was saved by Wade and thrown incomplete to maintain field position.
  Utah Tech took over at its own five and took a four yard loss on the first play after a stop by freshman Bishop Burkhalter, but got a 61-yard play to keep the drive alive on third down. This later led to a field goal by Ilya Uvaydov to make it 20-13 with 3:51 on the clock.
  UNA converted three first downs on the next drive, landing right in the redzone with under a minute to play and a chance to tie things up. However, Utah Tech came up with a crucial turnover after hitting Wade while in his passing motion. Adrian Dahlene caught the bloop for the interception with 44 seconds left in the half. Bronson launched a hail mary to end the half, but Jermaine Ray Jr. broke it up to send UNA into the break down just one possession.

FOURTH QUARTER

• North Alabama 20, Utah Tech 20: The Lions tied the game with some razzle dazzle following Dilworth’s interception. From his own nine yard line, head coach Brent Dearmon subbed in Ty Watkins at quarterback and put Wade out wide. Wade circled back on a reverse toss from Jalyn Daniels and sailed a deep pass to Tanaka Scott. Scott finished a 91-yard score and Chandler Dixon sailed the extra point for a 20-20 score.
• North Alabama 27, Utah Tech 20: After the defense forced a punt, Wade led the go-ahead scoring drive with 12 plays for 70 yards. He finished the drive with a two-yard plunge with 6:11 remaining.
• North Alabama 27, Utah Tech 27: The Trailblazers had a breakaway 29-yard run by Asa Chatman to tie the game with 4:06 remaining. Both defenses stopped the opponent to force overtime.

OVERTIME

• North Alabama 33, Utah Tech 27: Utah Tech won the toss and deferred for the first overtime. UNA used five plays and got a one yard power run from Wade — his fourth touchdown and third rushing. The extra point was unsuccessful.
• Utah Tech 34, North Alabama 33: The Lions forced a pair of third down situations on Utah Tech’s possession. One was stopped by Jamari Payne with a three-yard sack. However, Utah Tech converted on fourth and long. Three plays later, Chatman scored again and the extra point ended the game.