Out of the frying pan and into the fire for the UTPB football team this week.
After going 1-1 in their first two nonconference games, the Falcons open Lone Star Conference action against No. 4 Angelo State at 6 p.m. Saturday at Astound Broadband Stadium in Midland.
UTPB is coming off a 34-31 victory in overtime against Western Colorado and head coach Justin Carrigan is looking forward to the upcoming contest.
“It’s a great opportunity for us,” Carrigan said. “Angelo State is a very good football team and it’s going to be a test.
“These are the games that you want to play.”
One of the bright spots for the Falcons in their comeback victory a week ago was the play of quarterback Dylan Graham, especially on the game-tying drive in the waning moments of the fourth quarter.
Trailing by eight points (24-16) with 4:01 to play in the game, he directed a five-play, 70-yard drive that ended when Graham connected with wide receiver MJ Link on a 15-yard touchdown pass.
Graham then found tight end Brock Johnson for the two-point conversion to tie the game with 2:23 to play.
Carrigan liked what he saw from his signal caller down the stretch.
“I thought he stopped trying analyze things and just played,” Carrigan said. “When Dylan is just playing, it’s fun to watch because he can do everything.
“I think he made some improvements from the first week and he still has some things to work on.”
Angelo State (2-0) has put a balanced attack on the field in its victories against Chadron State and Colorado School of Mines.
The Rams, who reached the Super Region IV final last season, have rushed for 455 yards and five touchdowns, while passing for 406 yards and two scores.
Alfred Grear is the leading rusher with 192 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown.
Nate Omayebu has carried the ball 37 times for 176 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterback Zach Bronkhorst had connected with 11 different receivers, putting added pressure on the Falcons’ secondary, which might be the strength of the defense.
“That’s a really good group,” Carrigan said of the defensive backs. “They are leaders on the field and in the locker room and they want to make plays.”
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