The UEL Titans lost a tight game against the QMU Vipers after having fought back from an early 15-0 deficit.
Disastrous Start
It couldn’t have started any worse for UEL. On the first offensive drive they didn’t make any yards and the following punt resulted in a safety which gave the Vipers a 2-0 lead. The Titans were flat starting the game and after a quick drive and touchdown the home side were up by 8-0. At the following kick off the Vipers surprised the Titans with an onside kick which resulted in the visitors getting the ball back straight away. After some more defensive miscues QMU scored another touchdown and had a comfortable 15-0 lead.
Turning Point
On the Titans third offensive drive their starting Quarterback John Paul Argyriou was injured and back up QB Dan Hopkin had to come into the game. This was a wake up call for the entire team and on the next play Running Back Paul Bannerman had his biggest run of the day which inspired the team. A few plays later the other RB Jordon Bolessa scored the first Titans touchdown of the day.
For the rest of the first half UEL’s defense dominated the Vipers and forced two interceptions by Bolessa. At halftime the Titans were trailing 15-7.
Near Comeback
The second half started how the first ended, with a determined UEL side trying to find a way to tie the game. The defense did its part, stopping the Vipers on every drive. Offensively the Titans made a major change in their running game. Instead of running on the outside they were now running down the middle.
The Titans were close to equalizing but following another safety due to a bad mistake after a punt, the Vipers lead by 10 points.
The offensive changes paid off as UEL scored another Touchdown after a long drive without a single pass. Bannerman gave the Titans the six points after a two-yard run. The away team missed the following two-point conversion to make the score 17-13.
After the QMU Vipers RB fumbled, UEL had a great chance to take the lead, but Bannerman in turn fumbled on the Titans drive to give the ball right back to the Vipers.
With two minutes left in the game the home team scored their third touchdown of the day to end UEL’s hopes for a comeback.