BARBOURVILLE, Ky.- The Fighting Tigers took the road to battle the Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs Saturday afternoon. Campbellsville cruised to a 3-0 start to the 2024 season with a 36-point victory over Union, 42-18.
The Tigers scored the first touchdown of the game during their opening drive with a 23-yard pass from Jagger Gillis to Ashton Auker, Colin Fratus securing an extra point for Campbellsville. The Tigers' tough defense prevented the Bulldogs from connecting, closing the first quarter with a 7-0 lead. Campbellsville's fierce offense and impactful early touchdown set the tone for the remainder of the contest.
The Tigers' momentum strengthened coming into the second quarter, gaining 59 yards in their first drive. An 11-yard pass from Gillis to Auker resulted in another Campbellsville touchdown, extending the Tigers' advantage to 14-0. Union struggled to catch up, despite their attempts with a few punts and short rushes of their own, as Campbellsville's defense remained stern.
Arturo Lopez opened the third quarter pushing the Bulldogs back to their five-yard line with his 65-yard kickoff. Then, Keeland Lemar recovered the ball for the Tigers, capitalizing off a Bulldog fumble at the Union 29-yard line. Following a penalty that pushed them back, a Campbellsville 16-yard pass from Gillis to Luke Sheperson sealed a touchdown, increasing their advantage to 20-0. Union made it to the scoreboard with a 20-yard rushing touchdown halfway through the third quarter. The Bulldogs' third drive was short lived, with an interception by Terry Brown, resulting in a 19-yard Tiger touchdown. With less than two minutes left in the third quarter, Union completed a 50-yard pass for another Bulldog touchdown, going into the last 15 minutes of play with Campbellsville still holding the upper hand, 27-12.
The Tigers' first drive in the fourth quarter did not last long, as Union intercepted Gillis' pass returning to Campbellsville's 36-yard line. However, the Tigers' showcased their offensive dominance during their second drive with another pass from Gillis to Sheperson for a 21-yard score. Obie Wilson brought Union's second drive to a swift close with an interception. Though they had a field goal attempt blocked. Charles Collins' did not falter to rush for another Tiger touchdown, expanding Campbellsville's advantage to 29 points. Not long after that addition, Justyce Law completed a 26-yard pass to Jarrett Fenn, closing the game with a 36-point victory for Campbellsville, 48-12.
The Tigers will be back in action for their first home game of the season on Saturday, September 21st hosting the Bluefield University Rams, beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET.
- Campbellsville dominated Union in multiple statistical aspects of the game: first downs (27-11), rushing yards (123-41), receptions (28-12), and receiving yards (308-183).
- Gillis led with 19 completed passes in the game for 218 yards and four touchdowns. Law added nine completions of his own, also logging his first passing touchdown as a Tiger.
- Additionally, Sheperson had a team-high five receptions for 85 yards, followed by Auker and Bass with four receptions for 41 yards each. 12 different Tigers caught balls in the contest.
- Bass led with 73 rushing yards while Collins put up 47 and a touchdown.
- Today's game marks the Tigers' first 3-0 start since 2017. However, during that season, their third and fourth games did not take place due to a cancellation and postponement. Before that, the last time Campbellsville Tiger Football achieved a 3-0 start was during the 2003 season.
