ST. GEORGE — The Trailblazers can finally say they’ve beaten a football team from the Big Sky Conference.
Utah Tech got its first win of the year after dominating the first half then holding on to beat Northern Arizona 50-36 Saturday afternoon in Flagstaff, Arizona.
After losing to Montana and Montana State to open the season, Utah Tech improved to 1-2 and beat a team from the Big Sky for the first time in school history (1-14). Utah Tech’s defense came ready to play and forced the Lumberjacks to punt on their first possession.
The Trailblazers used a big pass play from Kobe Tracy to Beau Sparks to get in the red zone, then a slant to Rickie Johnson gave them a goal-to-go situation.
Northern Arizona forced a 23-yard field goal and the Trailblazers took their first lead of the season at 3-0.
The home team responded with a touchdown and retook the lead 7-3, but it would be the only time the Lumberjacks found the end zone for the rest of the half.
The Trailblazers reeled off the next 34 points to take a commanding 37-7 lead at halftime.
The surge was fueled by two defensive scores for Utah Tech.
Sam Kanongata’a returned an interception for a 49-yard TD and Amari Duncan recovered a fumble for a score as Utah Tech’s defense capped off a ferocious first half.
The Trailblazers went away from the quarterback duo employed in the first two weeks and Kobe Tracy played the entire game underneath center.
The redshirt sophomore completed 19-of-32 passes for 318 yards in the air including two touchdowns and no interceptions. He completed passes to seven different receivers.
Rickie Johnson finished with 90 yards and three grabs. Freshman Beau Sparks continued his hot start with seven receptions for 87 yards and Michael Moten collected four catches for 79 yards and a touchdown to lead the Utah Tech receiving corps.
Utah Tech’s Jaivian Lofton snatched a would-have-been interception away from a Lumberjack to record a 17-yard touchdown and Ronnie Walker Jr. led the Trailblazers with 16 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown.
UT kicker and Pine View High School product Connor Brooksby finished a perfect 9-for-9 on the day. He kicked field goals of 23, 48, 34, 48 and 50 yards, booted four PAT’s and became the all-time leading scorer in program history.
Utah Tech plays on the road next week with a game at Missouri State.
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