Latest Headlines
- ECUA Considering Water, Sewer And Sanitation Rate Increases
- Highway 4, Highway 168 Bridges Across North Escambia Remain Closed. Here’s An Update.
- Two-Time Super Bowl Champ Inspires Local Youth Athletes (With Photo Gallery)
- Century Woman Charged With Meth Possession After Traffic Stop
- For Escambia, Alabama, Deputy Charge With Federal Civil Rights Violation
- FWC Law Enforcement Report: Snapper Size, Gopher Tortoises
- These Are This Week’s Road Construction Trouble Spots
- Drone Show Wows Sellout Crowd in 5-1 Wahoos Loss
- Costco Nine Mile Road Plans Set For Development Review Meeting
- Applications Still Open For Pine Beetle Assistance And Prevention Program
UWF Football Wins Historic Home Opener
September 11, 2016
Quarterback Kaleb Nobles had a banner day for the University of West Florida football team, in the Argonauts’ 45-28 win over Missouri S&T on Saturday. The UWF defense stood out statistically again, allowing the Miners to total just 42 yards on the ground and keeping the opposition on its toes with six sacks on the day.
The team came out strong on the first drive of its home opener against MST, and the Argonauts never looked back. Nobles connected with freshman receiver Tate Lehtio for a gain of 33 yards in the first drive of the game to set the table for a phenomenal day. The Argonauts would later strike first on a 36-yard field goal from redshirt freshman Austin Peffers.
Nobles would find junior receiver Ishmel Morrow and senior receiver Anas Hasic in the end zone in the first quarter to jump out to a 17-0 lead. The trio of Morrow, Hasic, and Antoine Griffin combined for 19 catches and 425 receiving yards.
Led by linebacker Chris Sakamoto, West Florida would hold the Miners to just 44 total yards of total offense on 17 attempts in the first quarter. Sakamoto led the Argonauts with 11 tackles, and added a sack.
At the start of the second quarter, West Florida free safety Blake Norwood made a smart read, picking off Miners quarterback Tyler Swart. Norwood finished with two interceptions on the day. This would set up a go ahead touchdown for the Argos, as Nobles connected with Antoine Griffin for a 40-yard touchdown.
With West Florida up 24-0 early in the first half, it wouldn’t take long for Missouri S&T to strike back. On the Miners first drive of the second quarter, Swart would respond with an eight play, 77-yard drive, capping it off with a 1-yard touchdown run of his own.
With 9:32 remaining in the half, and Missouri S&T trailing West Florida 24-7, the Miners were not going to fold. Missouri S&T would force a West Florida three-and- out, followed by a 93-yard punt return for a touchdown from sophomore Braxton Graham.
Nobles and company would fire back quickly with a 67-yard touchdown pass, extending West Florida’s lead to 31-13. Just before the end of the half, Swart would respond with a 3-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. The Argonauts would head into the second half with a 31-20 lead.
On West Florida’s second drive of the third quarter, Nobles would again connect with Griffin for his second touchdown of the day. Nobles would find Kevin Grant three minutes later for the quarterbacks sixth touchdown of the day, to put UWF up 45-20.
Nobles finished his career day with six touchdowns, which ranks seventh in GSC history and ties his single-game best. He also finished the day with 503 yards passing, placing him ninth all-time in the conference record books.
The Argonauts will visit Chowan in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, next Saturday, September 17, for the final non-conference game of the season. The game is set for a 6 p.m. ET kickoff.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
One Response to “UWF Football Wins Historic Home Opener”
Great article on UWF’s Victory.