ST. GEORGE — Utah Tech did everything right. But win.
Despite a career-best performance from quarterback Kobe Tracy, Utah Tech’s football team lost a 31-30 decision against North Alabama Saturday night at Braly Stadium in Florence, Alabama.
The Trailblazers achieved several milestones in the defeat. They had a program-record two 99-yard drives for touchdowns. Tracy’s 397 passing yards and three touchdowns represented the best game in his career.
Utah Tech (2-5, 1-1 United Athletic Conference) piled up 507 yards of total offense. They recovered from a 10-0 deficit midway through the second quarter and trailed 17-10 at halftime.
Trailing 24-17 in the fourth quarter, the Trailblazers mounted a 10-play, 86-yard scoring drive that ended when Tracy found freshman Beau Sparks in the back of the end zone. Sparks tap danced to get one foot inbounds and Utah Tech tied the game 24-24.
The home team Lions (3-5, 1-3) converted twice on fourth down during their ensuing possession to retake the lead.
Quarterback Noah Walters lobbed a 28-yard TD pass over the middle to Dakota Warfield and North Alabama led 31-24 with 1:37 remaining in the game.
Tracy led the Trailblazers 69 yards in just over a minute, capping the drive with his second touchdown pass to Sparks with 31 seconds on the clock.
Eschewing a point after kick that could have forced overtime, Utah Tech head coach Paul Peterson rolled the dice and chose to play for the win on a 2-point conversion play.
Tracy’s pass into the end zone was deflected by a Lions defender and Utah Tech’s last gasp came up empty.
Tracy finished with 26-of-40 passing. His three-TD game was the fourth in his career and marked the first time he threw for three scores in consecutive starts.
Every Utah Tech receiver had a big game. Jaivian Lofton led the team with 105 yards on four catches. Rickie Johnson had his second-straight 100-yard game, grabbing seven catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.
Sparks recorded the two touchdown grabs and finished with eight receptions for 92 yards. And Keith Davis chipped in with 94 yards off of six receptions.
Defensively, the trio of Will Leota, Dondi Fuller and Brevin Hamblin (career high) each racked up 11 total tackles. Leota also collected two tackles for loss, while Fuller recorded the Blazers’ lone sack of the night.
The Trailblazers held North Alabama to an opponent season-low 118 yards passing, though Walters did manage to rush for 105 of the Lions’ 302 yards on the ground.
Utah Tech returns to Greater Zion Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 28 as the Trailblazers celebrate Homecoming Week by hosting current UAC co-leader Eastern Kentucky. Kick-off is slated for 6 p.m. (MT).
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