CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — After cutting their deficit to just three at the half, Campbellsville was outscored by Union 20-8 in the second as the Tigers dropped the season opener 33-18.
The Tigers kicked off to Union who were able to march down the field and score on the opening drive. Junior quarterback Walker Russell hit wide receiver Jason Jones with a 12-yard bullet pass for the touchdown. The Bulldogs would record another score in the second quarter off a power run by Isaiah Wright. That would become the story of the night as Wright finished the game with 33 rushing attempts, 251 rushing yards, and three touchdowns. The Bulldogs running back averaged 7.6 yards per carry.
Graduate student
De'Anta Sipp would answer halfway through the second quarter with a pounding two-yard touchdown run after his own 63-yard sprint bringing the Tigers into the red zone for Campbellsville's first touchdown of the season. On the Bulldogs' subsequent drive, the Tigers defense forced a three-and-out. With time winding down in the half the Tigers offense marched down the field and junior kicker
Devin Neally nailed a buzzer-beating 23-yeard field goal.
In the second half after a scoreless third quarter by both teams, the Tigers entered the endzone again after two more rushing touchdowns by Union. Senior wide receiver
Tate Pringle caught a 35-yard bomb from junior quarterback Josh Meglis with four minutes remaining in the game. After an unsuccessful onside kick by Campbellsville, the Bulldogs were able to push in a touchdown of their own, reaching 20 points scored for the quarter.
Meglis ended the game with 159 yards in the air, a touchdown, and an interception. Sipp had 129 rushing yards, a touchdown, and the monster 63-yard run in the second quarter. Pringle led in receiving yards with 70 and a touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball, senior defensive back
Xavier Newland racked up 11 tackles with sophomore
Chance Lucas and senior
Grover Russell tied for 10 tackles of their own.
The Tigers now have nine days to prepare for Point University. Campbellsville travels to Point on Saturday, Sep. 11 with kickoff scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET.
