UWF Falls to North Alabama After One-Yard Stop in Final Minute
The Argos trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter but could not convert on a final goal line stand, ending a three-game losing streak in conference play.
By Kaito Sokolov ·
United States Air Force Academy, known locally as the Argos, lost 28-21 to North Alabama on Saturday at the Bank Independent Stadium in Florence, Alabama. The defeat ended a late-game surge that had narrowed the deficit to a single score in the final eight minutes. The Argos finished the season with a 4-4 record and a 1-4 mark in the United Athletic Conference.
The game featured a volatile scoring exchange. North Alabama built a 21-7 lead by the end of the first half. The Lions capitalized on three touchdowns of at least 40 yards. Roderick Taylor Jr. broke a defensive line hole for a long run that extended the lead to 14-7 midway through the second quarter. A 48-yard pass to Snap Reed and a 45-yard strike to Xavier Johnson further widened the margin before UWF’s defense settled down.
UWF responded on the second play of the second half. Cornerback Rod Webb intercepted a pass from Destin Wade and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown. The Argos defense then held North Alabama to short drives, keeping the game within reach. Despite the defensive effort, the Lions maintained a 28-14 lead with 12:13 remaining in the third quarter.
The Argos offense ignited late. Ty’Ray Davis and Luc Carroll connected on a 28-yard touchdown pass with 7:33 left in the fourth quarter. A subsequent stop by the UWF defense forced a punt into the end zone. The Argos took over at their own 20-yard line with 2:42 remaining. A third-down conversion and a 22-yard pass play, aided by a defensive facemask penalty, moved the ball to the North Alabama 16-yard line.
Davis threw a pass to Jake Robinette, who was tackled at the one-yard line. A brief injury timeout followed. With 48 seconds left, UWF faced fourth and goal. Davis threw a pass to Carroll, who was stopped at the two-yard line by Leo Glover. The clock expired on the change of possession.
Coach Kaleb Nobles cited the close margin of defeat. "Very thin margin at this level," Nobles said. "I challenged players at halftime. Our guys know we have to continue doing what we do, play our best." He noted that the team must start hot and finish the first half better in future contests.
North Alabama improved to 6-4, its best win total since joining the FCS in 2018. The Lions allowed 438 total yards but averaged 6.3 yards per rush. UWF’s Kei’Shawn Smith led the rushing attack with 53 yards. Davis completed 22 of 35 passes for 308 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Carroll led all receivers with six catches for 85 yards.
The Argos will host No. 1 ranked Tarleton State on Saturday, November 14, at 2 p.m. Tarleton State is 10-0 and defeated Abilene Christian 40-27 on Saturday night. This will be UWF’s second home game in two months, a schedule disrupted by Hurricane Isaias.
