KINGSVILLE, Texas – It came down to the wire, but Texas A&M-Kingsville (7-0, LSC 5-0) earned a 13-10 homecoming victory over UT Permian Basin on Saturday night.
The Javelinas scored the last 10 points of the game, with the game-winning score coming with 1:26 left in the fourth quarter as quarterback
Jacob Cavazos found wide receiver
Craig Clemons on the side of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown strike for the game-winning score.
"It was a hard-fought game, and I'm really proud of our guys," said head coach
Mike Salinas. "We had to battle, but we stayed after it, no one panicked and we are happy to come away with the win."
With the win, TAMUK now ties its best start to a season at 7-0 since 2009.
HOW IT HAPPENED
It was a defensive battle all night, with the game being the lowest-scoring game the Javelinas have played all season.
The Javs opened the scoring on the night with a 38-yard field goal from kicker
Gilbert Garza to put TAMUK up 3-0 with 7:54 left in the first quarter. This came after the Javelinas fell on a muffed punt inside the Falcons' half to set up the score.
No more points would be scored for over a quarter until the Falcons would go on an 11-play 97-yard drive that was capped off by a four-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Dylan Graham to Gunnar Abseck putting the Falcons up 7-3 with 5:31 left in the first half.
TAMUK would look to respond on their next drive with another field goal, but the attempt was blocked by UTPB leaving the score at halftime 7-3 in favor of the Falcons.
The Falcons would then stretch their lead to seven on their first drive of the second half, after a 22-yard field goal at 8:58 in the third quarter.
UTPB threatened to score again on their next possession driving the ball just outside the red zone. The Falcons were halted though by a stout Javelina defense on fourth down as
Giovanni Williams tackled the UTPB running back for a one-yard loss on fourth and one.
The Javelinas would take that momentum and put another three points on the board as Garza knocked a 40-yard field goal through the uprights with 12:10 remaining in the fourth, bringing the score to 10-6.
Safety
Isaiah Jacobs looked to spark the TAMUK offense as he picked off UTPB's Dylan Graham under nine minutes left in the fourth quarter at UTPB's 37-yard line. Penalties would hinder the offense though, as the Hogs had to punt after going three-and-out.
UTPB took over possession at their own 17 yard line with only 2:22 left in the game, but the Hogs' defense would step up again as cornerback
Jeff Lavarin came up with a crucial interception as Graham overthrew his receiver on a fade route, that set up the Javelinas on the UTPB 30.
The TAMUK offense would make good on the defense's effort, as three plays later, Cavazos would find
Craig Clemons in the end zone to put the Javelinas up 13-10 with 1:26 left in the game.
UTPB would look for a response, but none would be found as facing a fourth and five from their own 30, Graham would be sacked by
Khalid Walker sealing the 13-10 homecoming victory and sending Javelina Stadium into raptures.
WHO LED THE WAY
- Jason Gaines led the Javs in receiving yards with 57 on the night
- On top of his interception, Lavarin posted 7 tackles on the night
- The Javelina defense recorded 3 sacks on the night
- Giovani Williams led the teams in tackles with 12 total
UP NEXT
The win now sets up a date with the only other undefeated team in the Lone Star Conference, No. 3 Angelo State. The game will take place in San Angelo next Saturday, Oct. 22 with kickoff set for 6 p.m.
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