Point Football falls to Faulkner in Tight I-85 Battle
VALLEY, Ala. (Sept. 28, 2024) - The Point University Football team returned to the field for a nonconference game against Faulkner University in a Battle of I-85 under the lights where the Skyhawks fell to the Eagles with a final score of 20-17.
The Eagles opened their first offensive drive with the Skyhawks swarming in multiple stops which was followed by a key deflection by Kere Thomas. Point's offense looked to move the ball but the Eagles were able to force a stop. On the following drive for Faulkner, the Eagles opened with a 55-yard completion to set up a six-yard touchdown to open the scoring column for the Eagles. Through the first quarter, Faulkner was held to one touchdown with the Skyhawks looking to find answers. In the second quarter, Point forced a missed field goal from Faulkner but an offsides penalty followed with a 17-yard rush to the endzone to extend Faulkner's lead to 14-0. On the next offensive drive, Point began to find life on the field with two completions to Quintravious Teasley and Adam Sanders. Sanders followed with a 24-yard rush to continue the drive before the half. On a crucial third down, Mitchell Gossett connected with Wesley Jones Jr. For an 18-yard completion in the red zone. Gossett made the red zone trip quickly as he powered through the defense for a three-yard touchdown. A conversion on the point after a try from Logan Wandzilak helped bring the score to 14-7 to go into the break. Point opened the third quarter with multiple completions to Adam Sanders and Nicholas Marien but crucial stops on the run helped Faulkner force a stop on fourth down. The Skyhawks returned to the field on their next drive with crucial runs from Adam Sanders and Mitchell Gossett. Point continued to exhaust the Faulkner defense as Gossett connected with Payton Allen in the back corner for a 13-yard touchdown. The PAT Field goal changed the game's landscape to bring the score to 14-14. Point's defense continued to add trouble to Faulkner to halt the Eagles from scoring another touchdown in the third quarter.
The lights brightened in the fourth quarter as the Skyhawk offense pushed their drive into scoring territory Mitchell Gossett completing a pass to Payton Allen. Point settled for the Field goal with Logan Wandzilak connecting on a 39-yard field goal to give the Skyhawks their first lead of 20-17. As Faulkner took the field on their next drive, the Eagles wiped the lead away from Point with a 58-yard touchdown in the air. A botched snap would keep the score at 20-17. The Skyhawks returned to the field with the Eagles forcing a quick punt from the Skyhawks to regain possession. Faulkner looked to ice the game with multiple runs but Kemorion Larkin met the opposing player in the hole to force a fumble and regain possession on offense. Mitchell Gossett opened the drive with two completions to Quintravious Teasley to get into the red zone. Faulkner followed with a forced incompletion and a tackle for loss. Logan Wandzilak looked to tie the game at 20 a piece but the kick skimmed to the left to keep Faulkner in the lead. The Eagles looked to try to run the clock out again but the Skyhawks got one last stop with 58 seconds left. Mitchell Gossett connected with Quintravious Teasley but the Eagles were able to force incompletions and a fumble to win the Battle of I-85 over the Skyhawks.
In the Box
Mitchell Gossett went 16-for-35 with 137 passing yards and one touchdown. Gossett also added six rushes for 16 yards and one touchdown. Adam Sanders led the backfield with 16 rushes and 79 yards with the longest rush being 24 yards. In the air, Quintravuous Teasley led with five catches for 46 yards. Payton Allen followed with three catches for 38 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Kemorion Larkin led with eight tackles, one for loss, and a forced fumble. Caleb Wade followed with seven tackles and one tackle for loss. Alfred Braxton Jr. Followed with seven tackles and one pass breakup.
Up Next
The Skyhawks will open Appalachian Athletic Conference play at home against Kentucky Christian University on Saturday, October 5th starting at Noon.
