ST. GEORGE — When it rains, it pours, as they say. The Trailblazers need an umbrella.
Abilene Christian University, in this file photo against Utah Tech last year, beat the Trailblazers 24-7 Saturday afternoon, Abilene, Texas, Nov. 4, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Utah Tech’s football team lost its third game in a row Saturday afternoon in Abilene, Texas, falling to Abilene Christian University 24-7.
The Trailblazers slipped to 1-3 in the United Athletic Conference after the loss and are 2-7 overall this season with two games remaining.
Despite a history-making day for two Trailblazers, Utah Tech was never really in the game against the Wildcats on a windy day in the Lone Star State.
Quarterback Kobe Tracy became Utah Tech’s all-time leading passer and receiver Rickie Johnson finished with nine catches, bringing his program-best career receptions total to 139.
Unlike the previous two games in its losing skid (a one-point loss at North Alabama and a four-point loss to Eastern Kentucky at home), Utah Tech failed to execute on offense in the contest against ACU.
The closest Utah Tech got was early in the second quarter after an 11-play, 75-yard drive culminated with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Tracy to Johnson, tying the game 7-7.
After that it was all Wildcats.
A 6-yard touchdown connection between ACU quarterback Maverick McIvor and Blaine Taylor put the home team up 14-7 at halftime, then the Wildcats made it 17-7 after a 47-yard field goal with less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Utah Tech quarterback Kobe Tracy, here in a file photo, became the program’s all-time leader in passing yards Saturday in a loss on the road, Abilene, Texas, Nov. 4, 2023 | Photo by Stan Plewe, Utah Tech Athletics Media Relations, St. George News
Then the Wildcats put the game away with a 14-play drive that took almost eight minutes off the clock. McIvor passed to Taelyn Williams for a 5-yard touchdown to provide the final margin.
The Trailblazers were held to a conference season-low 313 yards of total offense against the Wildcats.
Tracy, who finished with 230 yards off of 25-of-42 passing, became Utah Tech’s all-time leader in passing yards (5,222) after a 33-yard connection to Keith Davis in the second quarter.
Johnson finished with his nine grabs for 81 yards and the one touchdown.
Ronnie Walker Jr. was Utah Tech’s leading rusher, putting up 51 yards on 10 carries. The Trailblazers managed 83 total yards on the ground.
McIvor finished with 167 yards on 19-of-32 passing to go with his two touchdown throws for the winners.
Utah Tech closes out its 2023 road slate next Saturday when the Trailblazers make their first-ever trip to Tennessee for a UAC game at No. 17 Austin Peay.
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