Since its first season in 2016, the UTPB football team has made progress and history in many different ways.
The Falcons have picked up big wins against such as West Texas A&M and Midwestern State in the past two seasons and they continued marking new achievements this fall.
Despite closing out the campaign on a three-game losing streak, UTPB accepted a bid to play in its first bowl game.
The team will take on Oklahoma Baptist in the Fun Town RV Heritage Bowl at noon Saturday at the Community National Bank & Trust Stadium in Corsicana.
UTPB head coach Justin Carrigan said it was encouraging to give his seniors the news that their season would be extended after a 36-30 loss to Midwestern State on Nov. 13.
“The excitement for them, I think is what brings the most joy as a coach that they’re getting one more opportunity,” Carrigan said.
Senior defensive back Nygel King is one of the players who will get another chance to represent the Falcons, with Carrigan adding that he’s excited to see the player step onto the field again.
King suffered an early injury against Midwestern State and he was physically and emotionally distraught on the sidelines because he thought that would be his final collegiate game.
“For him, I’m excited that he’s going to have an opportunity to go out on a better note, hopefully under his control through four quarters,” Carrigan said. “I’m excited for those guys.”
The Falcons will go up against an Oklahoma Baptist team that only scored less than 30 points once this season through 11 games.
Oklahoma Baptist (7-4) closed out the regular season averaging 37.73 points per game, led by quarterback Preston Haire who threw for 3,175 yards and 40 touchdowns and earned Great American Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors for the second straight season.
Defensively, Oklahoma Baptist allowed its opponents 31.18 points per game and gave up 1,946 yards on the ground.
The Bison finished the regular season winning four of their last five games, the only loss coming to No. 16 Henderson State in early November.
UTPB got its offense going in its last game against Midwestern State, but a 17-point third quarter from the Mustangs held the Falcons back from grabbing a win to take momentum into the postseason.
Some of the things that stand out to Carrigan about Oklahoma Baptist include its offensive efficiency and tendency to blitz on defense.
Through film study, Carrigan said he believes the Bison blitz around 62% of the time.
In their last three games, the Falcons had a tough time with turning the ball over as they surrendered nine interceptions and lost five fumbles.
Carrigan said that will have to change if his team wants to end the year on a high note.
“If we hold on to Wilson when we have it, we’ll win,” Carrigan said.
With the extended time to practice, the head coach has spent more time with his players and coaching staff.
The group built a bond over the Thanksgiving break by participating in activities like paintball and sharing team meals.
He believes the opportunity to play in a bowl game will have a positive impact on the players involved with the program now and those who will join at a later date.
“Ideally it means more postseason play to come,” Carrigan said. “It’s growth, it’s improvement and it’s an opportunity to finish 6-5 on the plus side of the record.
“It’s something to springboard us into the recruiting cycle going into February signing day and continue to build with where we’re at.”
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